Скачать или смотреть MEXICO:CHIAPAS: ZAPATISTA REBELS TURN TO POLITICS

(2 Jan 1996) Spanish/Nat

Mexico's Zapatista rebel leader, the legendary Subcomandante Marcos has announced his intention to turn his guerrilla movement into a political force.

The announcement coincides with the second anniversary of the Zapatista Indian uprising in the southern state of Chiapas.

The rebellion was crushed by army troops, but Marcos and the Zapatista movement have been able to capture the imagination of a country embattled by the worst social and financial crisis in almost 90 years.

Supporters of the Zapatista National Liberation Army, the E-Z-L-N, gathered at the hamlet of La Realidad in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, to mark the second anniversary of the Zapatista uprising.

The group rebelled to demand democracy and Twentieth Century living standards for their peasant supporters.

About 145 people died in the conflict.

For the rebel leaders the bloodshed was worthwhile.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)

"Today we commemorate the death...today we celebrate life."
SUPER CAPTION: Comandante Tacho, Zapatista leader

From a generator-powered video screen deep in the Chiapas highlands the mysterious E-Z-L-N leader known as Subcomandante Marcos called on supporters to form a civilian political front to push for their reforms.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)

"Today, the fight for democracy, freedom and justice in Mexico is a fight for national liberation. Today following Emiliano Zapata and having heard the voices of our brethren, we call on the Mexican people to participate in a new phase for the fight of national liberation and the construction of a new homeland through this new fourth declaration of La Candona jungle by which we call all honest men and women to participate in the new political force born today: the Zapatista National Liberation Front."
SUPER CAPTION: Subcomandante Marcos, leader of the Zapatista National Liberation Army

The creation of the Zapatista National Liberation Front is the result of an independent national referendum held in August 1995.

Most of the one-point-three (m) million people who participated voted for the E-Z-L-N to lay down their arms and become a political party.

Marcos called on all Mexicans to join the rebel fight against the concentration of wealth and the centralization of power.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)

"We are in the middle of a war that has shaken the Mexico of the 21st century, a war between those who pretend the perpetuation of a social, cultural and political regime which is equivalent to treason and those who fight for a democratic and fair change. The Zapatista war is part of this big war which is the fight between the past and the future."

SUPER CAPTION: Subcomandante Marcos, leader of the Zapatista National Liberation Army

Through mediators' efforts, the country's four major political parties are now meeting to discuss national reforms.

Congress recently approved nationwide public opinion polling on issues raised by the rebels, including rights for Mexico's seven (m) million Indians, reducing the power of Mexico's centralised presidency and overhauling the justice system.

Peace talks between the government and the Zapatistas are to resume January 10.

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