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NEWSLETTER JRS-MEXICO TO OUR FRIENDS AND COUNTERPARTS
NUMBER 02
JANUARY 10, 1994.
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A. UNHCR IN REFUGEE CAMPS IN CHIAPAS
Today Monday January 10, a meeting was held at the UNHCR
offices in Mexico City. The meeting was attended by Mr
Alfredo Witschi and by the representatives of some agencies.
1. With the help of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the
Mexican Defense Ministry, UNHCR obtained a permit to visit
those places in Chiapas where the refugees currently are.
Until know, UNHCR is the only international organization that
has access to the zone, apart from the Red Cross.
2. UNHCR is visiting the risk-zones by means of "missions".
Yesterday January 9, they visited 8000 people in the area of
Las Margaritas. Today January 10, they visited another 4,500
people. The UNHCR spokesperson told that the UNHCR missions
were "received with joy by Guatemalans and Mexicans
together".
The Red Cross also entered the refugees camps. They reported
that the refugees only need medicaments to cure respiratory
and intestinal illnesses. The refugees in the area of Marques
de Comillas in Chiapas State are calm. UNHCR will go there
soon.
3. UNHCR furthermore informed that the Guatemalan press
reports the arrival of thousands of Mexicans seeking refuge
in Guatemala. These data have not been further verified.
4. With respect to Mexico's internally displaced, UNHCR
stated that it had offered its services to the Mexican
government, but that no use has been made of them until now.
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B. THE CHACULA FARM, NENTON-GROUP WILL RETURN TO GUATEMALA
NEXT WEDNESDAY JANUARY 12.
UNHCR representatives also stated today, that the return
group to the Chacula farm in Nenton will depart next
Wednesday January 12 from the village of Paso Hondo to
Guatemala, and not from Comitan or Cocalito, as had been
planned before. These returnees will cross the Mexican-
Guatemalan border on January 12. Today January 10, the CCPP
said that 201 families (983 persons) underwent the voluntary
check-up. It appears, however, that the number of returnees
has grown to more than 1000. Given the fact that the area of
departure is not involved in the armed conflict, no
permission of the Mexican Defense Ministry was required. The
Chacula Farm returnees group will reach Nenton the following
day (Jan.13). UNHCR added that buses, pick-ups and food are
ready. The only pending issue is the transportation of
animals, since there is no fitosanitary personnel available
now to check the animals and authorize their transport.
This group of returnees will leave Mexico with a minimum of
documentation. Their personal documents will be completed in
Guatemala.
UNHCR has reinforced its team in Chiapas. Two more employees
and two extra cars have been sent. It has also asked its
headoffice to send more equipment and more people.
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C. PRESIDENT SALINAS DE GORTARI MAKES MAJOR CHANGES AT
HIGHEST LEVEL OF HIS GOVERNMENT AS A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF
THE CHIAPAN ARMED CONFLICT.
On Monday January 10, at noon, the following changes in the
Mexican cabinet were announced:
1. Today, Lic. Patrocinio Gonzalez Garrido, ex-governor of
Chiapas State, left the State Ministry (Secretaria de
Gobernacion, responsible for Mexico's Internal Affairs).
2. Dr. Jorge Carpizo MacGregor, former human rights ombudsman
and until today Attorney General, replaces Gonzalez Garrido
in "Gobernacion", and will be in charge of Mexico's internal
politics from now on.
3. Mr. Manuel Camacho Solis, Regent of the Federal District
until only a couple of weeks ago and until today Mexico's
Minister of Foreign Affairs, was put in charge today of the
newly created "Special Negotiating Commission" (with the
guerrilla). This post did not exist until Camacho Solis'
appointment.
4. Lic. Diego Valadez, former Attorney of the Federal
District, was appointed today as Mexico's Attorney General.
5. Lic. Manuel Tello ic now Mexico's minister of Foreign
Affairs.
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We recommend you to be very attentive to the development of
the return to Nenton, given that the armed conflict in
southern Mexico is absorbing almost all attention from both
the national and the international community.
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We would like to remind you that if you receive this
newsletter by fax and you do have an e-mail address, we would
be most grateful to receive your e-mail address! Reactions
and suggestions are also most welcome.