Title: MEXICO: Zapatista Rebels Create Own Brand of Socialism
By Diego Cevallos
AGUAS CALIENTES, Mexico, Jan (IPS) - Aware of the superiority of
the Mexican army but prepared to fight, the members of the
indigenous insurgent movement in the southern state of Chiapas are
creating and living their own brand of socialism.
''At times there is not much to eat but we never go without.
There is always something to put in our bellies because we share
everything,'' a young man with a facemask and rifle hanging from
his shoulder told IPS.
''Lieutenant Javier'' is a member of the Zapatista National
Liberation Army (EZLN) that a year ago burst out of the Lacandona
jungle to occupy towns and villages in Chiapas and declare war on
the government.
''We are waiting for orders and are ready to fight. We have the
courage even though they outnumber us,'' said the lieutenant.
Since the beginning of armed conflict in January 1994, the
federal army has laid siege to guerrilla-controlled territory,
estimated to be one third of the 75,000 square kilometre state of
Chiapas in Mexico's poorest region.
Although there has been no fighting since a ceasefire went into
effect in early 1994, tension has steadily grown and clashes have
come close to breaking out on several occasions.
Some 60,000 army troops have the 14,000 insurgents surrounded,
a situation that contrasts with President Ernesto Zedillo's stated
interest in dialogue and peace.
Unlike other insurgent movements in Latin America, the EZLN is
made up primarily of indigenous people and is not seeking to take
power.
''We are not looking for a desk to sit at nor for a post from
which to govern. We are only demanding what corresponds to the
poor,'' said ''Comandante Tacho''.
In Aguas Calientes, a humid and mountainous town that boasts a
sign reading ''Welcome to Zapatista-controlled territory in the
rebel state of Chiapas,'' the insurgents have their own school,
hospital and stores.
Aguas Calientes is a typical EZLN stronghold. ''We grow a
little rice, coffee and beans, but we don't have meat because
there is no livestock,'' said Lieutenant Javier in broken Spanish
while adjusting his wide ammunition belt.
Asked about the school, he points to a wooden building standing
amidst the vegetation and stresses that the teachers ''are also
insurgents.''
Laughter from a group of rebels wafts out of a rustic shack
lacking windows and doors. The insurgents can be seen taking off
their boots and laying down in hammocks that hang from the
ceiling.
''They have been preparing themselves militarily for at least
12 years and are creating and living their own brand of socialism
in their territory. They use alternative agricultural methods
without chemicals and have developed product distribution systems,
while the majority of their activities are communitarian,'' French
historian Andre Abry told IPS.
According to Abry, who has been living in Chiapas' third
largest city, San Cristobal de las Casas, since the 1970s, ''in
the rebel-controlled territory they are perfectly organised. I
don't think it will be as easy as people think to defeat them
militarily.''
IPS visited the Zapatista region on the occasion of the first
anniversary of the insurgent movement's public appearance. In
disciplined rank and file scores of men and women went through
their drills, presenting arms, saluting flags and singing the EZLN
hymn.
Following the ceremony, many took off their facemasks and
bandanas and mingled with local inhabitants, chatting gaily.
Militia members carry old, apparently rebuilt arms, while
''officers'', who never take their facemasks off in the presence
of strangers, carry large rifles, machine guns and modern
handguns.
An extensive mountainous area must be crossed on the way to
Aguas Calientes, where from time to time signs reading ''this
property has been occupied by indigenous people'' can be seen.
''Without a doubt the Zapatistas have become the rural
population's conscience over the last year. They wanted to spark
widespread insurgency against an unjust state and they have done
just that,'' said Abry.
In the only two towns before Aguas Calientes, people are
friendly when asked directions. Small white flags flap over the
houses.
The trip through EZLN territory to Aguas Calientes, seven hours
from San Cristobal de las Casas, is interrupted three times by
Zapatista checkpoints. The men on duty request authorisation by
radio, and when asked how long their watch will last one responds
''all the time, can't you see I'm a militia member.'' (end/ips/trd-
Origin: Montevideo/MEXICO/
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