DATE=12/22/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=MEXICO - ZAPATISTAS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257413
BYLINE=JAMES BLEARS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Mexican government's chief negotiator
in the unresolved conflict with the Zapatista
guerrillas is blaming their leader, Deputy-
Commander Marcos, for not trying to reach a peace
settlement. Today (Wednesday) marks the second
anniversary of a peasant massacre in the Southern
state of Chiapas in which 45 people died. We
have a report from James Blears in Mexico City.
TEXT: The Mexican government has challenged the
Zapatistas to return to the negotiating table
now, before next July's presidential election.
Chief negotiatior Emilio Rabassa said in an
interview that lives are at stake and it is time
for Zapatista leader Marcos and his followers to
take off their masks and - in his words -- to
stop playing soldiers.
/// FIRST RABASSA ACT ///
What would become of them if they take off
their masks and leave their arms? They
would become just common citizens. This
idea of just becoming common citizens -- I
think is something they are not prepared to
accept. But there is another way out,
which would be that they drop their arms
and transfer themselves into a peaceful
force. And in that moment they could do a
great deal for themselves, democracy, and
for this country and for the indigenous
cause.
/// END ACT
The Zapatistas walked away from the peace
negotiations table more then three years ago,
accusing the government of reneging on self-
autonomy agreements reached in the tiny mountain
village of San Andreas Larrinzer. In a recent
visit to Mexico, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson,
stressed that the Mexican government must honor
that agreement in full, as part of any final
peace settlement.
Mr Rabassa also contradicted a statement from the
Chiapas state government, which explained
security there was being tightened because of
fears that local officials could be abducted by
the Zapatistas .
Mr Rabassa said more security is needed in
Chiapas because of a large influx of holiday
tourists now in the runup to the sixth
anniversary of the conflict on January first.
/// SECOND RABASSA ACT ///
In that state as well as others we have to
provide additional security to the flux of
national and international tourism. But it
is a seasonal thing.
/// END ACT ///
The Mexican government has always politely but
firmly refused all offers of international
mediation in a conflict that they claim is very
localized. But the impasse remains, and a peace
agreement remains as elusive as ever.
The Zapatistas took up arms to press for improved
economic, political, and social rights for
Mexico's indians (Signed)
NEB/gf/gm
22-Dec-1999 19:07 PM EDT (23-Dec-1999 0007 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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