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DATE=3/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227488
TITLE=MEXICO/CHIAPAS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=CINDY LAVANDEROS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED A NEW PEACE PROPOSAL 
FOR CHIAPAS WHICH IT WILL PRESENT TO CONGRESS THIS MONTH.  IT IS 
THE GOVERNMENT'S LATEST EFFORT TO PACIFY THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD INDIAN
UPRISING IN THE IMPOVERISHED SOUTHERN STATE, AS WE HEAR FROM 
REPORTER CINDY LAVANDEROS IN MEXICO CITY.
TEXT:  MEXICAN INTERIOR ///TRANS: GOBERNACION/// MINISTER 
FRANCISCO LABASTIDA HAS OUTLINED A NEW GOVERNMENT PEACE 
INITIATIVE FOR CHIAPAS STATE.  
IN A NATIONWIDE TELEVISED ADDRESS, HE ELABORATED ON THE 
GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIONS TO CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS PROPOSED BY A 
12-MEMBER PEACE COMMISSION.  THESE REFORMS EVOLVED FROM PEACE 
ACCORDS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ZAPATISTA REBELS IN 
FEBRUARY 1996.
THE ZAPATISTAS ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF NOT COMPLYING WITH THE 
ACCORDS AND BROKE OFF NEGOTIATIONS SEVEN MONTHS LATER.  TALKS 
HAVE BEEN AT A STANDSTILL SINCE THEN.
MR. LABASTIDA SAYS THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT OBJECT TO THE PEACE 
AGREEMENT, BUT DOES HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT ITS INTERPRETATION.  
HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT PROPOSED 
AUTONOMY FOR INDIAN COMMUNITIES WOULD SEPARATE CHIAPAS FROM THE 
REST OF THE COUNTRY.
THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL INCLUDES THE ENFORCEMENT OF SOCIAL 
PROGRAMS FOR THE POOR AND THE PROMOTION OF PRIVATE INVESTMENTS IN
RURAL AREAS.   MEXICANS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT
ERNESTO ZEDILLO'S HANDLING OF THE CHIAPAS CONFLICT, WHICH 
GARNERED ONLY FOUR PERCENT SUPPORT IN A RECENT POLL.
MEANWHILE, ZAPATISTA LEADER, SUB-COMMANDER MARCOS, HAS ELABORATED
ON THE REBEL'S CONDITIONS FOR RETURNING TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.
MARCOS HAS RELEASED A VIDEO TAPE ON WHICH HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT 
MUST IMPLEMENT THE PEACE ACCORDS, FREE ZAPATISTA POLITICAL 
PRISONERS AND STOP ARMY PERSECUTION OF INDIAN COMMUNITIES. 
(SIGNED).
NEB/CL/MWD/WDC/PLM
02-Mar-98 6:56 PM EST (2356 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.