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---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2006 12:54:43 -0800 From: Mexico Solidarity Network <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Mexico Solidarity Network Email List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: MSN News &Analysis, January 16-22, 2006 MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK MEXICO NEWS AND ANALYSIS JANUARY 16-22, 2006 1. OTHER CAMPAIGN VISITS YUCATAN AND QUINTANA ROO 2. FOREIGN BANKS CHARGE HIGH INTEREST RATES 3. FOX ANNOUNCES SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM 4. PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OFFICIALLY BEGINS 5. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 1. OTHER CAMPAIGN VISITS YUCATAN AND QUINTANA ROO The Other Campaign arrived in the small Yucatan community Chablekal at dawn on Wednesday, escorted by a security caravan organized by a local civil rights group. The public event unfolded much like other events organized as part of the Other Campaign, with Subcomandante Marcos, now known as Delegado Zero, listening carefully as local Mayans and Mestizos told of social struggles and political problems. Thirty-nine people, from a crowd of about 200, presented their "pain and anger," including problems related to fishing rights, labor violations, wages and the "wall of shame" facing immigrants at the US border. Marcos addressed the crowd in the early afternoon with a stinging critique of politics as usual, combined with a sense of optimism that has quickly become the centerpiece of the Other Campaign. Marcos described the Other Campaign as the beginning of an anti-capitalist movement that is challenging corrupt traditional power structures. He called on Yucatecos to join communities in struggle throughout Mexico, looking down and to the left for strength and inspiration. During the short stay in Chablekal, Marcos held small, private meetings with groups of fishermen, ejido owners, artisans and anarchists. On Friday, Marcos visited Chichen Itza, a small community not on the original schedule, where artisans are struggling for market space near ancient ruins. Later in the day, the Other Campaign spoke with about 1,000 people in Merida?s central square. President Fox and Governor Patricio Patron were singled out for particularly harsh criticism, with Marcos warning them not to turn Yucatan into a giant hacienda. Local activists reported that the Other Campaign prompted many profound strategic discussions within the general population, which is surely one of the major goals of the Other Campaign. (Thanks to George Ann Huck, who provided eyewitness reports that are the basis of this article. The Mexico Solidarity Network invites eyewitness reports from the Other Campaign to be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED]) Earlier in the week, Marcos criticized government mismanagement of hurricane relief aid in Quintana Roo, most of which has been directed to luxury hotel owners along the Mayan Coast. "The Mexican government spent millions of pesos for propaganda to tell people that they could come again to the Mayan Riviera, without even considering how many people were left without homes or belongings, and who had to migrate to other regions because the work they had here disappeared," lamented Marcos. PRI presidential candidate Roberto Madrazo came under harsh criticism, with Marcos calling him "a shameful thief and criminal." The following evening, Marcos spoke to a crowd of over 5,000, calling for the people to "take up the weapon of reason and convert it into a force to transform this country, which is governed by thieves and criminals." 2. FOREIGN BANKS CHARGE HIGH INTEREST RATES Foreign banks operating in Mexico charge interest on credit cards that is about five times the rates charged in their home countries, making Mexico one of the most lucrative credit markets in the world. Citibank credit cards carry, on average, an interest rate of about 9% in the US market, whereas their Mexican subsidiary, Banamex, charges up to 85%. Bancomer's parent company in Spain charges about 25%, whereas in Mexico they charge up to 85%. When inflation is taken into consideration, banks pay negative interest rates on savings accounts. 3. FOX ANNOUNCES SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM Two days before the official presidential campaign opened, President Fox announced a new social security plan for seniors over the age of 70 who live in poverty. The program offers bi-monthly payments of about US$45 and will eventually cover about one million seniors. Fox also announced a savings plan for working adults between the ages of 30 and 69 in which the government will match contributions to retirement accounts of up to 50 pesos (about US$4.50) per month. Fox has been particularly critical of "populist" proposals offered by PRD presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Fox's new proposals appear to be a tacit recognition of Lopez Obrador's popularity. Lopez Obrador leads most presidential polls by substantial margins. 4. PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OFFICIALLY BEGINS Thursday marked the first official day of presidential campaigning that concludes with elections on July 2. The Federal Electoral Institute announced a budget of about US$1 billion for campaign and election expenses, with the bulk of the funds going to the three major party coalitions. Felipe Calderon of the PAN will receive US$54 million, Roberto Madrazo of the PRI/Green alliance will receive US$76 million, while Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the PRD/PT/Convergencia alliance will receive US$60 million. The rest will finance local and state campaigns plus logistical costs for the elections. Meanwhile, Roberto Madrazo reported personal finances of almost US$3 million, including nine houses, six bank accounts and various works of art and jewelry, while Felipe Calderon reported a net worth of about US$8.3 million. And the historically accurate Mitofsky poll reported Lopez Obrador with a lead of 39% over Calderon's 31% and Madrazo's 29%, while Covarrubias and Associates gave Lopez Obrador 39% compared with 27% for Calderon and 22% for Madrazo. 5. MSN Program Highlights (for more information contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]) January 20 - February 20, 2006: Another Kind of Politics: Autonomy, Community Power and Zapatismo in the US Tour on the East Coast. The Snail's Pace Collective, formed during the fall MSN study abroad program, will offer workshops on grassroots resistance in the US, with lessons from the Zapatista Movement. February 5 - May 13, 2006: Spring Study Abroad Program. Students and activists can earn 16 credits studying Mexican social movements. February 24- March 11, 2006: Historical Lessons in Immigration Policy: Ex-Bracero/Wells Fargo Tour in California. March 1 - 15, 2006: International Women's Day Tour to Demand Justice for Victims of the Femicides in the Northeast. March 12 - 24, 2006: Women Confronting Globalization: Militarization, Human Rights and Fair Trade Tour in the Southeast. March 12-24, 2006: Women Confronting Globalization Tour: Militarization, Human Rights and Fair Trade Tour in PA, NY and Canada. March 26 - April 8, 2006: Women Confronting Globalization: Militarization, Human Rights and Fair Trade Tour in MN, IA, NE, KS, and OK. April 17 - May 1, 2006: Socioeconomic Context of Immigration Today: Stories from Chicago Day Laborers in ND, SD, MN, WI, IL, IN, MI and MO. April 24 - May 3, 2006: Immigrant Rights: Ex-Bracero Tour in DC, MD, VA, NC, and SC. May 28 - July 8, 2006: Summer Study Abroad Program: Earn 8 credits studying Mexican social movements in the context of the upcoming Mexican presidential election. Alternative Economy Internships - Develop markets for artisanry produced by women's cooperatives in Chiapas and make public presentations on the struggle for justice and dignity in Zapatista communities. Interns are currently active in Fort Collins, OR; Spokane, WA; Alexandria, VA; Grand Haven, MI; Chico, CA; Sacramento, CA; Stonington, ME; Lancaster, PA; St Paul, MN; Louisville, KY; San Francisco, CA; Turner, OR; Athens, GA; Chicago, IL; Philadelphia, PA; Guelph, Canada; Davis, CA; Tempe, AZ; and Madison, WI. ############################################################# Mexico Solidarity Network http://www.mexicosolidarity.org This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. 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