Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit from "el diario/La Prensa," a Spanish language newspaper published in New York City. Translated and edited by Toby Mailman. Mexico NEW STEP TOWARD PEACE: Resignation of Chiapas Interim Governor Facilitates Negotiations with Rebels The resignation of the interim governor of Chiapas, Elmar Setzer, increased the possibility of a political solution to the armed conflict in that state and is seen as a new step by the Federal Government in the search for peace. Setzer, who replaced deposed minister of government Patrocinio Gonzalez Blanco Garrido since January 4, 1993, had been questioned for his ties with the previous governor and for his management of the internal situation in Chiapas. The crisis broke out on January 1 when the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) burst on the scene, taking over four towns and declaring war against the current government. During his 12- month term Setzer was the main instigator of the expulsions of indigenous people from the region of San Juan Chamula for religious reasons, and was considered to be a staunch supporter of Gonzalez Blanco. The Chiapas state government headed by Setzer was the first official agency questioned by the armed actions of the EZLN, although the EZLN never specifically asked for his dismissal. Following Setzer's resignation the Chiapas state congress named Javier L"pez Moreno, a native Chiapaneco and an indigenous Tzotil from Tenejapa, as governor, which can be interpreted as a concession to the millions of indigenous people living that in the state. According to newspaper reports Setzer's government had information about guerrilla groups in the area since last May, but did not foresee the explosion of the armed conflict. L"pez Moreno is descendent from the Tzotil, one of the main indigenous ethnic groups in Chiapas, and was minister of education and culture in the state government of General Absal"n Castellanos, who was kidnapped by the EZLN. Hours before Setzer's resignation became known the presidential peace and reconciliation commissioner in Chiapas, Manuel Camacho Sol!s, had confirmed that for the pacification of the state the unity of the Chiapanecos and political recomposition were necessary. Setzer's exit is considered to be a new action by the government in favor of a peaceful solution to the conflict which is now at a point of political solution after 11 days of confrontations which left, unofficially, over 200 dead. The first conciliatory actions by the government were the naming of Camacho as commissioner, a unilateral ceasefire, the announcement of amnesty for those involved in the conflict and an increase in investments to combat poverty. When he took over the governorship L"pez Moreno announced his intention to work in Ocosingo, where the bloodiest confrontations of the conflict took place, and pointed out his indigenous origins. "I come from a family like many Chiapanecos which has had no brilliance or lineage, but neither meanness nor rancor. My blood has never demanded special consideration or privileges," he said in Tuxtla Gutirrez. Regarding the participation of indigenous people in the government, a point on which the EZLN has put emphasis in order to assure that theirs is an indigenous movement, L"pez repeated, "The indians will be involved in the definition and the fate of Chiapas; as things go with them, so they go with everyone." (ED-LP 1/20/94 from EFE) -30- DEFENSE MINISTER EXPECTS GUERRILLA ATTACKS The Mexican minister of national defense indicated in a military communiqu on 1/20/94 that he has "knowledge that in the next 24 hours criminal groups (guerrillas) are planning to carry out armed attacks against he towns of Yajal"n, Sabanillas and Venustiano Carranza," in the southern state of Chiapas, The Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN), which on January 1 launched a "declaration of war" against the Mexican government and army, has maintained a truce since January 13 in response to a ceasefire previously declared by President Carlos Salinas. The minister of national defense did not give out any more details on the plans of the EZLN guerrillas, who in statements to the national press have accused the air force of bombing the mountains of Chiapas. The military communiqu also indicated that "accusations have been received from residents of the region (of Los Altos de Chiapas) that a group of 20 armed individuals with covered faces stole a number of cattle from a ranch located between the towns of Copainala and Coapilla on January 17." It added that "To date federal army soldiers continue guarding the towns of Altamirano, San Crist"bal, Ocosingo and Las Margaritas, among others. In San Crist"bal U.S. senator Joseph Kennedy met with a number of priests in order to familiarize himself with the situation in Chiapas and is preparing a tour of the zones of conflict. (ED-LP 1/20/94 by AFP) [To date no EZLN actions as mentioned by the defense minister have been reported.] -30- +----------------------------------------------------------------+ + 212-675-9690 NY TRANSFER NEWS COLLECTIVE 212-675-9663 + + Since 1985: Information for the Rest of Us + + e-mail: nyt@blythe.org info: info@blythe.org +