AFP, Washington, March 17th
Subcomandante Marcos, head of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation
(EZLN), asked for the support of the indigenous people of the United
States, in a letter published this Monday in Washington by a
representative of the Mexican rebel movement.
The representative, Cecilia Rodriguez, indicated in a press conference
that the "situation never has been so dangerous or precarious" in Chiapas
since the initiation of the armed conflict in January 1994.
Subcomandante Marcos explained in a letter directed to "the leaders of the
indigenous peoples" of the United States, that they took up arms against
the "bad Mexican government" because the demands of the indigenous people
have not been resolved.
"You know how to understand our demands and to extend to us your hearts
and hands to achieve peace", it said.
Marcos asked in particular that the indigenous people of America
"intercede before the powerful who govern the United States of America, to
tell them not to support the war against our race, no the persecution of
our ideals".
A representative of a non-governmental organization, with offices in
Texas, which supports the Zapatistas, the National Commission for
Democracy in Mexico, Crystal Echohawk, member of the Pawnee tribe, stated
that various indigenous leaders in the United States have demonstrated
their support for the Zapatistas, and that a delegation is planning to
visit Chiapas at the beginning of May.
Cecilia Rodriguez stated that "a committee for peace with dignity in
Chiapas" which includes US sympathizers, will ask President Bill Clinton
to suspend all military aid to Mexico.