MEXICO CITY, Feb 26 (IPS) - Catholic officials, human rights
leaders and artists in Mexico denounced violent incidents this
week in the diocese of Bishop Samuel Ruiz in the southern state of
Chiapas, while the government promised extra police protection.
Most Chiapas bishops stated their solidarity with Ruiz and
calling on him to continue his leadership of the National
Intermediation Commission (Conai), which is recognised by the
government and the Zapatista National Liberation Army as the
official mediating body in the Chiapas conflict.
Ruiz is the bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas, the third
leading city in Chiapas.
Last Sunday, 500 people led by cattle ranchers and businessmen
attacked the San Cristobal cathedral with sticks and stones while
shouting slogans condemning Ruiz as a guerrilla sympathiser and
demanding his withdrawal from the mediation.
Some 50 people were injured when the protesters clashed with
Ruiz's supporters, who sought to block entry to the cathedral.
According to Juan Bunuelos of Conai, the incidents were an
attempt ''to divert attention and avoid a peaceful solution.''
Jorge Madrazo, president of the governmental National Human
Rights Commission, denounced the state government of Chiapas for
not having provided police protection to the San Cristobal
diocese, despite warnings of potential violence.
Reporters on the scene said riot police nearby did not
intervene in the incidents.
Chiapas Minister of the Interior Eraclio Zepeda said police
support was not authorised because the San Cristobal priests had
indicated that it was not necessary. However, the diocese denied
this claim.
Zepeda said from now on both Ruiz and the San Cristobal
cathedral would have greater police protection, a promise that
was echoed by national Ministry of the Interior officials.
San Cristobal Vicar Gonzalo Ituarte said the incidents ''fall
under a widely recognised and denounced campaign of persecution
against the church,'' and primarily against Ruiz himself.
Actress Ofelia Medina denounced the government for
''permitting aggressions,'' adding that the Mexican artistic
community suppots Ruiz in his ''valiant'' efforts as mediator.
(END/IPS/trd-so/dc/ag/jt/np/95)
Origin: Rome/MEXICO/
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