The EZLN International Plebiscite is still going on. If you haven't cast a
ballot yet, NCDM will be accepting ballots through September 11. You can
send them to us at <moonlight@igc.apc.org> or fax them to 915-532-8382 or
send them to 601 N. Cotton Street, #A103, El Paso, Texas 79902. The consulta
is still open to anyone and everyone, not just the students.
If you want more information, please feel free to contact us. Thank you,
the National Center for Democracy, Liberty and Justice
-------------- Enclosure number 1 ----------------
EZLN International Plebiscite EZLN
National Democratic Convention
Attention: The International Plebiscite has been extended
Mexico City, August 1995
This past June 8 the Zapatista National Liberation Army, through the voice
of Subcomandante Marcos, called on the citizens of Mexico and the world to
participate in the Plebiscite. It was stated to you then that the
International Plebiscite would be carried out during the month of July.
Nevertheless, the International Plebiscite has now been expanded into two
additional distinct phases due to growing interest that has been
demonstrated in many countries. Expansion of the Plebiscite will give us the
opportunity to reach groups and people from many parts of the world who wish
to participate in this transcendental plebiscite but for one reason or
another have not been able to answer within the designated period.
The results of this plebiscite will influence the future of the EZLN and
that of the Mexican people. The opinions and solidarity of the world are
important factors in this Plebiscite, which seeks to stop the realities of
war and finish off with the centuries of injustice and oppression that have
permanently affected the indigenous people.
On June 27th, in San Andres Sacamch'en. Chiapas, the EZLN delegation met
with the Liaison Commissions, the more than one thousand Indians in the
security belt, representatives of Alianza Civica and representatives from
several countries. At that meeting they issued the definitive wording of the
six questions for the National and International Plebiscite. The questions
have a new wording. The number of questions has been increased from five to
six, and three new demands were added: security, combat against corruption,
and defense of the environment.
Infommation about the Plebiscite and its new phases:
a. Phase 1: June 23 to July 31 (July 31 is the last day to deliver the
ballots to Mexico) b.
Phase 2: July 31 to August 23 (August 23 is the last day to deliver the
ballots to Mexico)
c. Phase 3: August 23 to September 13 (September 13 is the last day to
deliver the ballots toMexico)
In each country the groups or networks promoting and organizing the
Plebiscite will delineate their own programs.
There are three basic ways to enact the Plebiscite: Electronic Mail, Fax &
Plebiscite Tables
B) Electronic Mail: We can send information packets and the plebiscite
ballots in English and Spanish
Three World Wide Web Home Pages are available for public use.
Canada: http://www.physics.mcgill.ca/WWW/oscarh
United States: http://www.peak.org/~justin/ ezln/ezln.html
Europe: http://dftuz.unizar.es/wwwlab/voto.html
The interational electronic mailbox for the ballots is: marroyo@
servidor.unam.mx
By Fax:
We can send information packets and the plebiscite ballots in English and
Spanish
a. The ballots should be disseminated among interested groups and persons
b. Once the questions have been answered, they should be returned to the
promoting group or person.
c. The promoting group or person should then make a tally of the votes,
send them to Mexico via fax, e-mail
d. The ballots themselves should be sent to Mexico Liaison Commission with
a trustworthy traveler or by courier service
By Plebiscite Tables:
Plebiscite Tables can be set up near the Mexican Consulate, on university
campuses, near Latino neighborhoods, or in public arenas where a multitude
of people can participate. The Plebiscite should be announced on the radio
or on television. It should also be printed in newspapers, in magazines, on
flyers and posters, and in conferences. It is strongly encouraged that
debates be sponsored that discuss the issues raised by the Plebiscite.
If you as an individual or as an organization are interested in being a
promoter of the Plebiscite contact us immediately to coordinate our efforts.
If you need a document appointing you as a promoter let us know and we will
send it to you right away.
If you still have questions or doubts about anything or if the information
was not clear, the International Liaison Commission for the Plebiscite of
the EZLN will be more than happy to make any clarifications.
Mexico City:
Tabasco 262 Despacho 402, Colonia Roma Apartado Postal 25-392 C.P. 03421
Tel / Fax: (52-5) 207-4147 Mexico, D.F. Mexico, D.F.
Additional fax numbers: (52-5) 659-4837 Mexico, D.F. e-mail:
Internet:74052.2670@compuserve.com
Centros de Coordinacion Internacional:
Spain:
Madrid: Plataforma de Solidaridad con Chiapas de Madrid
Plaza Tirso de Molina 8, 1
28012, Madrid, Espana
Tel: (34 1) 369 0842 y 369 16-52
Fax: (34 1) 402 8499 y 429 63-56
e-mai 1: osoei v @ nodo50. gn .apc .org
Barcelona:Consulado del Gobierno de Transici6n en Rebeldia del
Estado de Chiapas
Calle de la Cera, I Bis.
08001 Barcelona, Cataluna, Estado Espanol
Tel/fax: (343) 329 0643; e-mail: ellokal@pangea.upc.es
France:
Paris: Comite de Solidarite avec les Peuples du Chiapas en Lutte
33, Rue des Vignoles
75020 Paris, FRANCE
Tel/fax:(33-1)43-72-09-54;e-mail: ornelas@u-parislO.fr
Italy:
Brescia: Consulado Rebelde en Brescia
Via dell Grazie, 23 25100 Brescia, Italy.
Tel: 30-375-0043 Fax: 30-377-1921
Canada:
Montreal: Reseau de Solidarite avec le Mexique
4293 de Lanaudiere
Montreal, Quebec H2J3N8
Tel: (514) 848-7410 y 529-0813 Fax: (514) 933-9517 y 343-6215
e-mail: oscarh@physics.mcgi 11.ca
Ontario: Mexico Solidarity Network
70 Connelly Dr.
Kitchener, Ontario N2N2T8
Tel: (519) 746-4090 y 570-3624 Fax: (519) 7464096 y 579-191
e-mail: gccwat@web.apc.org
In the United States:
El Paso:
National Commission for Democracy in Mexico, USA.
601 N. Cotton, Ste.A-103
El Paso, TX 79902
Tel/fax: (915) 532 83-82: e-mail: moonlight@igc.apc.org
Minneapolis: Pastors for Peace
610W.28th.St.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Tel: (612) 870-7121; Fax: (612) 870-7109 San Francisco: Global
Exchange 2017 Mission St., Rm. 303
San Francisco, CA 94110 Tel: (415) 255-7296
Fax: (415) 255-7498 e-mail:
globalexch@igc.apc.org
Fraternalmente,
Comision Internacional de Enlace de la Consulta del EZLN
EZLN International Plebiscite EZLN
Zapatista National Liberation Army
We are Mexicans and we have a national proposal: to struggle for; and
achieve, democracy, liberty and justice for all the men and women of this
country. We are here to say that we are humun beings and we have a
world-wide proposal: a new international order based on, and ruled by,
democracy, liberty, and justice.
1. Do you agree that the principal demands of the Mexican people are land,
housing, jobs, food, health, education, culture, information, independence,
democracy, liberty, justice, peace, security, combat of corruption, and
defense of the environment?
Yes( ) No() Idon'tknow()
2. Should the different democratizing forces in Mexico unite in a citizens'
broad-based political and social opposition front and struggle for the 16
principal demands listed in question number
Yes( ) No ( ) I don't know ( )
3. Should Mexicans carry out a profound political reform which would
guarantee democracy? (Respect for the vote, reliable voter registration,
impartial and autonomous electoral organizations, guarantee the panicipation
of citizens, including those not members of political parties, as well as
non-governmental organizations, recognition of all the political forces, be
they national, regional or local)
Yes ( ) No ( ) I don't know ( )
4. Should the EZLN convert itself in a new and independent political force,
without joining other political organizations?
Yes ( ) No ( ) I don't know ( )
5. Should the EZLN join with other organizations and together form a new
political organization?
Yes ( ) No ( ) I don't know ( )
6. Should the presence and equal participalion of women be guaranteed in all
positions of representation and responsibility in civil organizalions and in
the government?
Yes ( ) No ( ) I don't know ( )
Optional, but helpful, information about yourself:
Name: Age: Gender: Male( ) Female( )
Occupation: Country you live in:
EZLN
Plebiscite
To: Indigenous peoples and Indigenous organizations of the world:
Brothers and Sisters: Mexico. August 1995
>From a little corner of the world called Chiapas. in the southeastern part
of Mexico, on the first of January of 1994, an indigenous movement surged
that has transcended borders and touched hearts the world over. The
Zapatista Army of National Liberation (FZLN), made up of mostly Indians,
has said: Enough! No more injustice and oppression for our people.
The Mexican government has left them no other option than that of taking
up weapons to defend themselves. For centuries they have struggled for
their rights, but they have not been heard. Instead they have been
continually persecuted, assassinated, exploited, and humiliated.
In Mexico we have the wealth of fifty-six ethnic groups. Living cultures
with differing languages and organizations. The majority of Mexicans are
mestisos and in our veins flows Indian blood. Proud of our origin, we
nlesti_os are rescuing our roots. We have listened with our hearts and
heard the call of the Indians that are clamoring for peace with justice
and dignity for all Mexicans.
The terrible face of war can be seen peeS;ing, through the mountains of
the southeastem part of Mexico. It walks between the thatched roofed
houses of the villages, men, women and children. Determined to stop it
in its tracks, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation has dialoged with
the Mexican government to search for a peaceful solution to its just
demands. Now the EZLN has launched a new initiative: a national and
international plebiscite. Six questions that have to do with the future of
the EZLN and the struggle of the Mexican people who are searching for a
transition towards democracy. The sixteen demands referred to in the first
of the six questions are the same demands shared by indigenous and non
indigenous peoples of the world.
The EZLN's call for a plebiscite is unprecedented. It is the call of the
Indians that for centuries have been persecuted and forgotten. The, self
named, faceless ones. Now they are giving us the example of how to
construct democracy, they are the ones showing us the way towards a Mexico
that will be just and free. They have made us recuperate our faith and
hope in order to construct a better world. In them we have placed our hope
for the future.
The peoples that want to be free should join in solidarity and action to
struggle against this new world order which is being imposed on us as
neoliberalism. We are sure that you as an organization, and as indigenous
peoples will understand this call, and feel it in your heart because you
are also living the persecution and attempts to exterminate your nations.
We call on you to join wilh us in this International Plebiscite called for
by thc EZLN. We call on you to not leave us alone, to struggle with us for
justice, liberty, and democracy, not oniv for the Indians of Mexico, but
for all the indigenous peoples of the world.
Fraternally-
International Liaison Commission of the EZLN's Plebiscite
A^nado Avendaho Plgueroa
Ofelia Medina
David Villareal
Carlota Botey
Paulina Fernandez
Floraf errero
leaTno Briseho
Patia limenez
Jose Alvarez