DATE=5/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT (L-ONLY)
TITLE=CHIAPAS SECURITY - BISHOP
NUMBER=2-262377
BYLINE=JON TKACH
DATELINE=CHIAPAS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Mexican bishop who recently took over the
most influential religious post in the country's
troubled Chiapas state has called on the government to
reduce the number of troops in the area. The Mexican
government sent additional security forces to the
southern state after an attack there left three people
dead earlier this month. But as V-O-A's Jon Tkach
reports from Chiapas, Bishop Felipe Arizmendi says the
region is mostly peaceful and there is no need for so
many soldiers.
TEXT: Mr. Arizmendi took over the Bishop's seat in
San Cristobal de las Casas just two weeks ago. His
predecessor, Samuel Ruiz, had been a controversial and
well known figure here - deeply involved with the
area's poor indigenous population and one of the main
mediators following the Zapatista uprising in 1994.
Some have complained, however, that he was too
involved, saying he sided with the largely indigenous
rebels.
Mr. Arizmendi, considered to be more conservative than
his predecessor, has said that he will also make
working for peace a priority. He says during his
first weeks spent mostly visiting local towns, many
residents have told him that the military presence is
just making things worse.
/// ARIZMENDI ACT (SPANISH) ///
As a sign of good faith the government should pull out
some of the special troops, he says, because the
rebels have demonstrated that they do not want a
military encounter. He says the Zapatista Army for
National Liberation has shown that its fight is more
ideological than military.
The Zapatisas last week blamed government-supported
paramilitary groups for orchestrating this month's
deadly attack near Chenalho that made many fear the
return of rebel violence.
The government is still investigating the incident,
but has said it likely resulted from a land dispute
between rural families and was likely not related to
guerrilla activity.
But not all residents want to see the reinforcements
leave the state's highlands. Mercedes Abarca - a
resident of Chenalho - says the government made a good
move by beefing up security.
/// ABARCA ACT ///
Without them, she says, she might not still be here.
Their presence keeps both the pro-government residents
and the rebels from killing each other, she says.
There has been no significant fighting here since the
largely indigenous Zapatistas quickly ended their 1994
revolt by signing a truce with the government. But
tensions are still very high, with the rebels hiding
out in the heavily forested mountains. Bishop
Arizmendi has called on the two sides to resume talks.
(Signed).
NEB/JT/KBK
15-May-2000 11:46 AM EDT (15-May-2000 1546 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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