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DATE=11/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242064
TITLE=MEXICO--CHIAPAS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=CINDY LAVANDEROS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT HAS ACCUSED ZAPATISTA LEADERS OF 
BEING INFLEXIBLE AND ANTI-DEMOCRATIC FOLLOWING TALKS JUST ENDED 
BETWEEN A LEGISLATIVE PEACE COMMISION AND THE REBELS IN THE 
SOUTHERN STATE OF CHIAPAS. THEY WERE THE FIRST TALKS ON PEACE IN 
NEARLY TWO YEARS.  MORE FROM CINDY LAVANDEROS INMEXICO CITY.
TEXT:   EMILIO RABASA, GOVERNMENT COORDINATOR FOR NEGOTIATIONS IN
CHIAPAS,CRITICIZED ZAPATISTA REBEL LEADERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN 
TALKS WITH A CONGRESSIONAL PEACE COMMISION, KNOWN AS THE COCOPA.
AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY), MR. RABASA SAID THE 
ZAPATISTAS DID NOT REALLY WANT TO NEGOTIATE PEACE.  
                  <<< PLACE SPANISH ACT HERE>>>
HE SAID THE ZAPATISTA STRATEGY WAS TO IMPOSE, RATHER THAN TO 
DIALOGUE, AN ATTITUDE HE CALLED "ANTI-DEMOCRATIC".  HE SAID THE 
GOVERNMENT FULLY COMPLIED WITH SECURITY MEASURES DURING THE 
MEETING AND PROVIDED THE 29 ZAPATISTAS WITH TRANSPORTATION AND 
PROPER SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS.
MR. RABASA'S  STATEMENT CONTRASTED GREATLY WITH THAT OF THE 
REBELS WHO ACCUSED THE COCOPA OF BEING RACIST FOR FAILING TO 
GUARANTEE ADEQUATE SECURITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS.   
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT NOW DENIES IT, AN ARMY PATROL WAS 
REPORTED TO HAVE STOPPED RED CROSS VEHICLES CARRYING THE REBEL 
DELEGATES TO THE MEETING DESPITE GOVERNMENT PROMISES THE ARMY 
WOULD NOT INTERFERE.
THE FIRST ROUND OF TALKS BROKE DOWN AFTER 45 MINUTES ON FRIDAY, 
BUT A SECOND ROUND TOOK PLACE TWO DAYS LATER (SUNDAY) AFTER 
ZAPATISTA COMPLAINTS WERE ATTENDED TO.  IN THAT MEETING, 
DELEGATES AGREED TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL MEDIATING COMMISSION TO 
FACILITATE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. THE FORMER 
COMMISSION,HEADED BY BISHOP SAMUEL RUIZ, DISSOLVED LAST JUNE.
DURING THE TALKS, THE COCOPA TRIED TO DELIVER TWO SEALED LETTERS 
WITH GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS FOR RESUMING PEACE TALKS TO THE REBELS.
THE ZAPATISTAS REFUSED TO RECEIVE THEM ON THE GROUNDS THE COCOPA 
WAS NOT A MEDIATING COMMISSION.  THE REBELS SAY THEY WILL NOT 
BEGIN DIRECT TALKS WITH THE GOVERNMENT UNTIL IT MEETS THE FIVE 
DEMANDS THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. THEY 
INCLUDE THE WITHDRAWAL OF ARMY AND PARAMILITARY TROOPS FROM THE 
AREA AND THE RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
23-Nov-98 10:25 PM EST (0325 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.