Dear Sir,
We, the undersigned wish to express a high level of concern
about the growing crisis in Mexico and the real possibility of
the outbreak of hostilities once again in the southeast state of
Chiapas. The growing evidence of human rights violations, links
to drug trafficking on a high governmental level, and the
continued impunity of paramilitary groups, have provoked a
massive exodus of families seeking relief from the political and
economic crisis.
Because Mexico is our closest neighbor in Latin America we
cannot remain silent before the consequences of this crisis. We
therefore request the response of the State Department in terms
of the following issues;
1) We understand that Mexico is receiving substantial
military equipment from the United States. Although the
objective of these sales is said to be aid in the drug war, we
request information about the guarantees which exist that this
equipment will not be used for other purposes such as
counterinsurgency and government responses to civil unrest.
This equipment includes the recent sale of 73 Huey helicopters.
We are also interested in clearly understanding the current
working relationships to both train the Mexican military and
replace any weapons ten years or older for the Mexican Army.
2) We request any current information on the state of
human rights in Mexico. Specifically we need to know current
governmental responses to paramilitary groups and/or "deaths
quads", and to the protection of the human rights of the 18
individuals presently jailed under accusation of being members
of the rebel group in Chiapas, the Zapatistas.
3) We request any information which the State Department
may have about the possible breakdown of the peace talks in
Chiapas, Mexico.
We strongly affirm our commitment to a peaceful solution
and a transition to democracy for Mexico. We do not believe
that our southern border can bear the economic and humanitarian
brunt of a growing and debilitating political and economic
crisis in Mexico. We urge your prompt response and look forward
to policies which strengthen the possibilities for peace in
Mexico. Thank you for your attention.
Respectfully,