DATE=7/24/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-252109
TITLE=CHIAPAS EXECUTIONS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JAMES BLEARS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A UNITED NATIONS INVESTIGATOR IN MEXICO HAS CALLED FOR
ACTION TO PREVENT MORE SUMMARY EXECUTIONS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF
THE COUNTRY. THE SPECIAL U-N RAPPORTEUR (ENVOY) ON EXTRA-JUDICIAL
EXECUTIONS, ASMA JAHANGIR, HAS BEEN ON A TWO WEEK MISSION,
TALKING WITH WITNESSES AND SURVIVORS OF THE KILLINGS, AT THE
INVITATION OF THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT. JAMES BLEARS REPORTS FROM
MEXICO CITY.
TEXT: THE TWO WORST MASSACRES HAPPENED IN THE STATE OF CHIAPAS
IN 1997, WHEN A PARAMILITARY GANG MURDERED 45 UNARMED MEN, WOMAN
AND CHILDREN, AND IN GUERRERO IN 1995, WHEN POLICE SHOT DEAD 17
UNARMED FARMERS WHO WERE ON THEIR WAY TO A PROTEST MEETING. ASMA
JAHANGIR SAYS THERE MUST BE RECONCILIATION BECAUSE THE
ALTERNATIVE WILL BE A SPIRALING LEVEL OF VIOLENCE, WHICH COULD
WELL RE-ERUPT IN VENDETTA STYLE FEUDS.
/// FIRST JAHANGIR ACT ///
WELL THIS WAS BEHIND MY THINKING OF SAYING FORGIVE,
BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THEY ARE LIVING IT EVERY DAY AND THE
FACT THAT PEOPLE HAVE GOT CONVICTED NOW AND SOME OF THEM
GENUINELY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE INNOCENT ALSO GIVES RISE
TO ANGER ON THE OTHER SIDE. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF
ANOTHER FLARE UP IN THAT AREA AND THAT IS WHY IT IS
IMPORTANT FOR HEALING, OF CONFIDENCE BUILDING TO BUILD
BRIDGES AMONG THESE COMMUNITIES.
/// END ACT ///
ASMA JAHANGIR IS COMPILING A REPORT, BUT SHE HAS ALREADY MADE
TWO PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS. THESE ARE: THE
DE-CENTRALIZATION OF POWER, SO THAT IT CAN PROPERLY FILTER DOWN
TO THE MUNICIPAL AND GRASS ROOTS LEVEL, AND WIDESPREAD
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER PARTICIPATION IN THE MORE REMOTE HAMLETS
DURING NEXT YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION -- WHICH IS WIDELY
CONSIDERED THE MOST IMPORTANT ACID TEST OF MEXICAN DEMOCRACY IN
MORE THAN A HALF CENTURY. BUT AS THE U-N RAPPORTEUR EXPLAINS,
THESE COMMENTS HAVE ALREADY DRAWN A SWIFT AND SHARP RESPONSE FROM
THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT.
/// SECOND JAHANGIR ACT //
AND YOU HAVE A REACTION FROM THE FOREIGN MINISTRY TODAY
SAYING THAT WAS NOT MY MANDATE TO MAKE THESE TWO
RECOMMENDATIONS. ONE WAS THE DEVOLUTION (RETURN) OF
POWER RIGHT TO THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL AND TO HAVE
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS AT THE NEXT ELECTION. AND WHY I
SAID THAT WAS EVER SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE I HAVE HEARD
THE GOVERNMENT AND EVERYONE SAY THAT THE ARMED CONFLICT
SITUATION IS A POLITICAL ONE. IF IT IS A POLITICAL ONE,
THEN THE RESOLUTION HAS TO BE POLITICAL.
/// END ACT ///
ASMA JAHANGIR, WHO IS A HIGH COURT MAGISTRATE IN PAKISTAN, HAS
SPENT MOST OF HER LIFE CHAMPIONING HUMAN RIGHTS. SHE PRAISES THE
MEXICAN GOVERNMENT FOR ALLOWING HER TO CONDUCT THIS INVESTIGATION
AND SAYS IT IS GENUINELY WORKING TOWARD HALTING AND PUNISHING
SUCH CRIMES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JB/CBL-T/GM
24-Jul-99 6:21 PM EDT (2221 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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