DATE=4/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229200
TITLE=MEXICO/CHIAPAS (L)
BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE
DATELINE=SAN JOSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: MEXICAN AUTHORITIES HAVE ARRESTED A RETIRED ARMY GENERAL
IN CONNECTION WITH LAST DECEMBER'S MASSACRE OF 45 INDIAN PEASANTS
IN CHIAPAS STATE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL AMERICA CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL
DRUDGE HAS MORE.
TEXT: THE ARREST OF RETIRED GENERAL JULIO CESAR SANTIAGO DIAZ
COMES AMID ALLEGATIONS ARMY PERSONNEL WERE INVOLVED IN THE
DECEMBER 22ND MASSACRE THAT KILLED 45 INDIAN PEASANTS, ALL BUT
NINE OF THEM WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
SHORTLY BEFORE REVEALING THE ARREST OF GENERAL SANTIAGO DIAZ,
PROSECUTORS ANNOUNCED THEY ARE QUESTIONING AN ARMY SOLDIER WHO
ALLEGEDLY PROVIDED TRAINING AND AUTOMATIC RIFLES TO THE ACCUSED
ATTACKERS.
GENERAL SANTIAGO DIAZ WAS CHIEF ADVISER TO CHIAPAS STATE POLICE
AT THE TIME OF THE MASSACRE IN ACTEAL VILLAGE IN THE CHIAPAN
HIGHLANDS.
PROSECUTORS SAY THE GENERAL HID FOR FIVE HOURS WITHIN EARSHOT OF
THE ATTACK, BUT TOLD SENIOR STATE OFFICIALS NOTHING HAD HAPPENED.
HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE AND DERELICTION OF DUTY.
THE SOLDIER UNDER QUESTIONING IS IDENTIFIED AS MARIANO PEREZ
RUIZ, AGE 23 AND A NATIVE OF CHENALO COUNTY ///TRANS:
MUNICIPALIDAD/// WHERE ACTEAL IS LOCATED. HE IS SUSPECTED OF
TRAINING SOME OF THE GUNMEN WHO HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR DIRECTLY
PARTICIPATING IN THE MASSACRE.
THE ACTEAL MASSACRE SHOCKED MEXICO. THE FEDERAL INTERIOR
SECRETARY AND THE CHIAPAS STATE GOVERNOR HAD TO RESIGN IN THE
AFTERMATH, AS SURVIVORS BLAMED THE KILLING ON SUPPORTERS OF THE
RULING INSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTIONARY PARTY.
LONG-SIMMERING RESENTMENT AMONG CHIAPAS'S MAJORITY INDIAN
POPULATION BOILED OVER IN JANUARY 1994 WHEN ZAPATISTA REBELS TOOK
UP ARMS TO FIGHT FOR INDIAN RIGHTS. THE GOVERNMENT AND
ZAPATISTAS SIGNED A PEACE ACCORD IN 1996 BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN
IMPLEMENTED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO TALKS FOR 18 MONTHS.
(SIGNED).
NEB/MWD/WDC/KL
03-Apr-98 3:05 PM EST (2005 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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