Title: MEXICO: Some Government Troops Withdrawn After Weekend Talks
MEXICO CITY, Jan 17 (IPS) - The Mexican government reduced army
patrols and ordered the withdrawal of its troops from two towns
near rebel-controlled zones in the southern state of Chiapas
after talks with rebel leaders this weekend.
The Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) has not yet
issued a statement on the talks, promising only to ''inform the
people of Mexico and the national and international press...of
what occurred at the meeting.''
The reinitiation of direct contact between the two sides has
helped reduce tension in Chiapas, where the spectre of renewed
hostilities has loomed large in recent weeks.
In addition to withdrawing from the towns of Simojovel and
Larrainzar and restricting patrols, the government has agreed to
facilitate Red Cross operations in rebel-controlled areas.
An official commuique stated that ''the government's desire
for peace is reflected in its statements and deeds,'' and
reaffirmed the desire for negotiated peace in Chiapas through
fruitful, positive direct contact with the rebels.
Before this weekend, social, religious and indigenous groups,
political leaders and the EZLN had all expressed doubts about the
government's willingness to negotiate, arguing that talk of peace
was accompanied by increased military patrols and pressure near
rebel-controlled areas.
They accused the government of tolerating paramilitary groups
hired by land owners in the conflict zone, as Chiapas authorities
called for an ever-greater military presence.
According to the government, the decision to pull back some
troops and reduce patrols was made in the certainty that the EZLN
will respond to help create a ''just and lasting peace.''
Tensions have been rising since December, when - without
firing a shot - the rebels broke through the troops surrounding
them to occupy more than 30 towns and cut off roads in Chiapas.
Rebel leaders said the action was their answer to massive
militarisation and the lack of response to EZLN demands.
An estimated 14,000 rebels now directly control one third of
the territory of Chiapas, and are surrounded by some 60,000
government troops.
The weekend talks - the first direct contact between the two
sides since May - reinstated negotiations broken off by the EZLN
in October when the government failed to respond to its demands.
The conflict began with a Jan. 1, 1994 rebel uprising followed
by 12 days of armed confrontation, ending with the establishment
of a cease-fire that, while delicate and often threatened, has
not been broken. (END/IPS/trd-so/dc/dm/jt/np/95)
Origin: San Jose/MEXICO/
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