mexnews: Mexico to free 18 rebels in Chiapas peace gesture

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Mexico to free 18 rebels in Chiapas peace gesture

February 9, 2001
Web posted at: 3:53 PM EST (2053 GMT)

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Reuters) -- Mexican authorities on Friday prepared to
free 18 sympathizers of the Zapatista rebels in the strife-torn state of
Chiapas, a further step in the government's bid to seek peace.

The state Attorney General's office in Chiapas said it had dropped charges
against an additional 18 members or sympathizers of the Zapatista National
Liberation Army (EZLN), which rose up on January 1, 1994, demanding
indigenous rights in the poor region.

The move brings to 38 the number of rebel supporters to be freed under a
renewed drive for peace by Mexican President Vicente Fox, who took office on
December 1, toppling the 71-year rule of the Institutional Revolutionary
Party (PRI).

"I see in President Fox an irrevocable aim to do everything possible to
build the basis for a lasting peace through justice in the region," Luis
Alvarez, the Chiapas peace commissioner, said in an interview with leading
daily La Reforma on Friday.

Charismatic rebel leader subcommander Marcos made the release of 100
Zapatista prisoners languishing in the state's jails a key condition to
jump-starting peace talks that sputtered to a halt 4-1/2 years ago under
former (PRI) President Ernesto Zedillo.

The EZLN leader, who also made the withdrawal of Mexican troops from seven
garrisons in the state a condition for peace, is due to start a march to
Mexico City later this month with 23 rebel delegates on a "Zapa-tour"
through 11 states.

Fox, who was touring Chiapas on Friday, said this week that peace in the
region was "just weeks away." While reiterating the president's upbeat
message, Alvarez stressed the importance of improving the lot of the
nation's estimated 10 million indigenous people to achieve a lasting
settlement.

"Even though a dialogue has been reestablished, it's necessary to take steps
to achieve employment opportunities so that indigenous communities cease to
be victims," he said.

Alvarez, who was appointed when Fox took office in December 2000, said
ongoing peace talks should also deal with access to health care denied
communities in the southern state's remote rebel-held areas.

Copyright 2001 Reuters. All rights reserved.
 
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