And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: This message is forwarded to you as a service of Zapatistas Online. Comments and volunteers are welcome. Write [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send submissions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 13:44:00 -0700 Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: Commandante Null <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Multiple recipients of list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Good Article by BBC on "Peace Offer". Wednesday, September 8, 1999 Published at 01:39 GMT 02:39 UK Mexico initiative on Chiapas President Zedillo: Peace gesture or pre-election rhetoric ? By Peter Greste BBC in Mexico City The Mexican government has announced its first new initiative in years aimed at ending a simmering conflict with Zapatista rebels in the southern state of Chiapas. Interior Minister Diodoro Carrasco said the government had pledged to resume talks with the rebels, pass new legislation on Indian rights and investigate human rights abuses. Mr Carrasco has addressed an open letter to members of Congress, urging them to pass new legislation on indigenous rights. He also announced an offer of amnesty to jailed rebels and sympathisers who have not been charged with violent crimes. At least superficially, the offer appears to go a long way towards meeting the demands of the Zapatistas, who say they will respond to the offer "within the next few days". The Mexican Government and the Zapatistas have been locked in a bitter exchange of rhetoric ever since the two sides signed a partial peace deal in 1996. The Zapatistas have accused the government of reneging on the deal - while the government has insisted that some aspects of the agreement run counter to the constitution. In his open letter, Mr Carrasco called for further negotiation to implement the 1996 accord, and said there would be a full investigation into alleged human rights abuses by Chiapas authorities. Some commentators have dismissed the government initative as rhetoric in advance of next year's federal elections next year - based on the calaulation that fresh conflict would damage the ruling party. "The facts on the ground contradict the government's apparent willingness to talk," said Ernesto Ledesma of the human rights organisation Global Exchange. He said there is an ongoing build up of troops, making it difficult for the Zapastistas to discuss peace. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NPC Information Associates "Intelligence for the Underdog!" [EMAIL PROTECTED] 770-457-6758 Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ UPDATES: CAMP JUSTICE http://shell.webbernet.net/~ishgooda/oglala/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
