DATE=4/29/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-230467
TITLE=MEXICO / CHIAPAS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=CINDY LAVANDEROS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: MEXICAN PRESIDENT ERNESTO ZEDILLO IS CONCLUDING A TWO-DAY
TRIP TO THE SOUTHERN STATE OF CHIAPAS. IT IS HIS FIRST VISIT
THERE SINCE A DECEMBER MASSACRE OF 45 INDIANS INFLAMED TENSIONS
IN THE TROUBLED MEXICAN REGION. WITH MORE DETAILS, HERE IS
REPORTER CINDY LAVANDEROS IN MEXICO CITY.
TEXT: DURING HIS TWO-DAY TOUR OF CHIAPAS, PRESIDENT ZEDILLO HAS
PROMISED THE GOVERNMENT WILL AVOID USING FORCE, REPRESSION OR
VIOLENCE TO RESOLVE THE FOUR-YEAR CONFLICT IN THE STATE.
HE SAYS IF NATIONAL UNITY IS TO BE PRESERVED, THERE CAN BE NO
WINNERS NOR LOSERS. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT TO BEAT
ANYBODY, HE SAYS.
PRESIDENT ZEDILLO HAS PROMISED CHIAPAS' LARGELY INDIAN POPULATION
MORE THAN 175-MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL AID TO BE SPENT ON
EDUCATION, HEALTH SERVICES, FARMING PROJECTS AND ROADS.
THE PRESIDENT ALSO HAS SENT A RADIO MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY AND
HOPE TO THOSE LIVING IN THE CHIAPAN JUNGLE AND OTHER REMOTE
AREAS. HE SPOKE OVER A RADIO STATION FIRST OCCUPIED BY ZAPATISTA
REBELS WHEN THEY BEGAN THEIR BRIEF UPRISING ON JANUARY 1ST, 1994
TO FIGHT FOR INDIAN RIGHTS.
TENSIONS IN CHIAPAS HAVE REMAINED HIGH SINCE THE DECEMBER
MASSACRE OF 45 INDIANS BY PARAMILITARY GROUPS LINKED TO THE
RULING PARTY. THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS SINCE DEPORTED MORE THAN
20 FOREIGNERS FROM CHIAPAS, ACCUSING THEM OF MEDDLING IN MEXICAN
AFFAIRS. CRITICS SAY THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP OUT MEDIA AND
HUMAN RIGHTS SCRUTINY.
TALKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND ZAPATISTA REBELS HAVE NOT
RESUMED SINCE THEY BROKE DOWN IN SEPTEMBER, 1996, -- AFTER
PRESIDENT ZEDILLO REFUSED TO IMPLEMENT PEACE ACCORDS ON INDIAN
RIGHTS. MR. ZEDILLO IS NOW PROMOTING AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN AND HE
IS TRYING TO GARNER SUPPORT FOR IT WITH HIS CHIAPAS VISIT.
(SIGNED)
NEB/CL/MWD/JO
29-Apr-98 5:18 PM EDT (2118 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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