DATE=2/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT (L)
TITLE=MEXICO CLASH
NUMBER=2-258764
BYLINE=GREG FLAKUS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Mexico City, more than 250 people are in
jail following a violent confrontation late Tuesday at
a high school affiliated with the National Autonomous
University of Mexico, known as UNAM [oo-`nahm]. A
strike, which began in April of last year, continues
at the main UNAM campus and many affiliated
institutions. As V-O-A's Greg Flakus reports from
Mexico City, the action by federal police on Tuesday
has raised expectaction that the government of
President Ernesto Zedillo may finally be ready to end
the strike by force.
TEXT: More than 30 people suffered injuries in
Tuesday's melee at UNAM Prep School Number Three.
Four of the injured remain hospitalized in serious but
stable condition. Martin Sanchez, a spokesman for the
Medica Sur hospital, says no one was killed in the
clash and that none of the injured came close to
death.
/// SANCHEZ SPANISH ACT FADES UNDER ///
He says the four UNAM workers still in the hospital
are undergoing tests to help doctors determine the
best treatment for their injuries. All four suffered
cuts, bruises and blows to the head.
Televised pictures of the confrontation showed
striking students, known as "ultras," beating people
to the ground and then punching and kicking them after
they were down. University authorities called for
help and federal riot police responded. The militant
ultras threw rocks and small bombs at the police but
they were eventually rounded up and taken away on
several buses. Authorities say the arrested strikers
will remain in jail while legal proceedings are
initiated.
Many critics of the government's handling of the UNAM
strike have called for the use of public force in
reopening the campus, but government officials have
rejected that idea. Some students involved in the
strike also blame the confrontation on outside
agitators.
Last month, university students, faculty and workers
voted overwhelmingly for an end to the strike in a
referendum, but the ultras rejected the results and
refused to turn over the campus to university
officials. (Signed).
NEB/gf/gm
02-Feb-2000 18:08 PM EDT (02-Feb-2000 2308 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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