.........................
Ever since the Spanish colonisation in Latin America, the
Catholic church has suffered divisions between sectors defending
indigenous populations and others who have supported the actions
of European powers in the region.
The first Bishop of Chiapas was forced to resign in 1641, due
to pressure from large land owners - including the church, which
did not relish the idea of giving up the free labour and taxes it
received from poor indigenous populations.
More than 300 years later, the indigenous people of Chiapas
remain poor - official figures show the state to have the highest
malnutrition and illiteracy rates in the nation.
Bishop Ruiz has stated publicly that the EZLN's presence is a
logical consequence of the unjust social conditions in Chiapas,
although he also stressed his opposition to the use of violence.
Bishops from several Latin American nations attending a synod
in San Cristobal last month agreed that the rebel uprising was an
''example'' and a warning to the entire region.
Prelates from Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay and Mexico said
the Zapatista guerrillas represented a ''conscientisation'' of
poor indigenous communities. They expressed their support for Ruiz's
work, adding that the conflict in Chiapas was ''a sign of the new
times.'' (END/IPS/trd-so/dc/dm/jt/np/95)
Origin: Rome/MEXICO/
----
Subject: IPS:Chiapas/Mexico--Bishop Linked to Guerrillas
Date: Wed, 01 Mar 1995 11:32:51 -0800 (PST)
Title: MEXICO: Bishop Ruiz Accused of Links With Guerrillas
...........................................................
MEXICO CITY, Feb 19 (IPS) - Mexican Bishop Samuel Ruiz, the head
mediator in the Chiapas conflict, knew about the rebel movement
and had regular contact with its leaders nine years before the
1994 uprising, the Attorney General's Office revealed here this
week.
The government office claimed Maria Benavidez - one of eight
people arrested this week when police arrested several of
Ruiz's followers - was a long-time member of the guerrilla
movement.
Bishop Ruiz is accused of knowing that the Zapatista National
Liberation Army (EZLN) was planning a revolt against the central
government, of hoarding arms, and of having regular contacts with
the rebels.
The Bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas - the third leading
city in Chiapas - heads the National Intermediation Commission
(Conai), recognised by both sides as the official mediating body.
He has worked with indigenous people in Chiapas for 35 years.
According to the Attorney General's Office, the members of the
EZLN aprehended Wednesday also reportedUQQ!Q=91e]II5
Benavidez, alias Subcommander Elisa, arrested along with
the other guerrillas - mostly indigenous people from
Chiapas - were armed only with low-calibre shotguns.
Arrest warrants had been issued following the discovery of arms
caches and rebel groups identified by Mexican President Ernesto
Zedillo. Last week hundreds of police and soldiers in dozens of
military vehicles entered the Lacandona jungle on a ''red alert.''
According to the Attorney General's Office, rebels were
financed by an unidentified civilian group, through deposits into
bank accounts belonging to members of left-wing political groups
and a teamsters' union.
The government claims that the EZLN was founded in 1980, when
future rebel leaders arrived in rural Chiapas to seek support for
their movement.
The EZLN staged an uprising on Jan. 1, 1994 and, after twelve
days of fighting agreed to a truce. They were demanding government
fulfilment of promises to improve the social conditions of the
Indians and democratisation in Mexico.
(END/IPS/trd-so/dc/ff/jt/np/95)
Origin: Rome/MEXICO/
----
[c] 1994, Inter Press Third World News Agency (IPS) - all rights
reserved. This information is for personal use only. It may not be
reproduced, reprinted, resent or posted to any system without
specific permission from IPS. For information about this copyright,
e-mail to <ips-info@igc.apc.org>.
IPS is the developing world's largest news agency. In the United
States, it is available from PeaceNet. The entire IPS feed is available
at *no additional charge* to users of PeaceNet and EcoNet (e-mail to
<peacenet-info@igc.apc.org> for more information). You can also have
IPS delivered to your e-mail box every day. For information on that
service, e-mail to <pwn-info@igc.apc.org>.