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DATE=5/16/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249442
TITLE=GUATEMALA REFERENDUM (L-O)
BYLINE=GUATEMALA REFERENDUM
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  IN GUATEMALA, A NATIONAL REFERENDUM IS BEING (WAS) HELD 
(SUNDAY) ON A PACKAGE OF CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS THAT WOULD --  
AMONG OTHER THINGS -- STRENGTHEN THE JUDICIARY, PROFESSIONALIZE 
THE ARMED FORCES AND GRANT SPECIAL RIGHTS TO THE INDIGENOUS MAYAN
INDIAN MAJORITY.   V-O-A'S GREG FLAKUS HAS MORE FROM OUR MEXICO 
CITY BUREAU.
TEXT:   AMONG THE PROPOSALS INCLUDED IN THE REFORM PACKET ARE 
MEASURES TO ENSURE THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES,  STRENGTHEN 
CIVILIAN CONTROL OVER THE POLICE, AND PROVIDE FIRM FUNDING FOR 
THE JUDICIARY.  THE REFORMS WOULD ALSO MODERNIZE AND 
PROFESSIONALIZE THE ARMED FORCES AND LIMIT THE POWERS OF THE 
PRESIDENT. 
THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS IN THE REFERENDUM WERE APPROVED BY THE
GUATEMALAN CONGRESS AS PART OF THE EFFORT TO COMPLY WITH THE 1996
PEACE ACCORDS THAT ENDED A 36-YEAR-LONG CIVIL CONFLICT. 
DURING THAT WAR, SOME 200-THOUSAND PEOPLE DIED -- MOSTLY IN THE 
MAYAN INDIAN COMMUNITIES OF GUATEMALA'S RURAL MOUNTAINS.  A 
RECENTLY RELEASED TRUTH COMMISSION REPORT BLAMED THE ARMED FORCES
FOR MOST OF THE KILLINGS AND OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, BUT ALSO 
SAID LEFTIST GUERRILLAS WERE GUILTY OF MANY RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.  
REFORM ADVOCATES SAY PASSAGE WILL HELP GUATEMALA HEAL ITS WOUNDS 
AND WORK TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE.  THEY SAY THE SPECIAL 
PRIVILEGES GRANTED TO THE NATION'S INDIAN PEOPLES UNDER THE 
REFORM PROPOSALS WOULD HELP COUNTER THE INJUSTICE PERPETRATED 
AGAINST THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION EVER SINCE THE SPANISH CONQUEST
MORE THAN 450 YEARS AGO.  
OPPONENTS, HOWEVER, SAY THAT THESE MEASURES WOULD DIVIDE THE 
NATION AND PROVIDE GROUNDS FOR REVERSE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST 
NON-INDIAN CITIZENS.
AMONG THE PROPOSALS IS ONE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT NECESSARY FOR 
CONGRESS TO CONSULT THE PEOPLE OF GUATEMALA'S 24 INDIAN GROUPS 
BEFORE PASSING ANY LAW THAT WOULD AFFECT THEM.  OTHER MEASURES 
WOULD GIVE SPECIAL PROTECTION TO LANDS CONSIDERED SACRED BY THE 
INDIANS AND REQUIRE THE USE OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES IN EDUCATION,
SOCIAL SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT NOTICES.  (SIGNED).
NEB/GF/JO
16-May-99 2:58 PM EDT (1858 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.