Zapatistas Prepare March


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 Mon, 8 Sep 1997 02:30:09 -0400 (EDT)

Zapatistas Prepare March

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico, Sept 7 (Reuter) - Some 1,100 Zapatista
guerrillas and their supporters plan to emerge on Monday from the mountains
of the southern state of Chiapas and set off on a long march to Mexico City. 

The 750-mile (1,200-km) trek will be the boldest step by the group since the
last shots were fired in a brief uprising in early 1995, and their first-ever
foray outside Chiapas. The marchers will walk every day, but will also do
stretches of the journey in vehicles. 
 Organizers said the rebel supporters aim to use the march to condemn the
Mexican army's militarization of Indian communities in Chiapas, denounce what
they consider the government's reneging on an Indian rights accord, and
perhaps rekindle peace talks that stalled a year ago. 

A drawn-out peace process reached an impasse Sept. 5, 1996, leaving the
Zapatista rebels holed up in the jungles of Chiapas and surrounded by the
Mexican army. 

A representative from each Indian community in Chiapas will take part in the
march, organizers said. Some of the Zapatista combatants, including the
charismatic leader, Subcommander Marcos, might also participate. 

The predominantly Maya Indian Zapatista National Liberartion Army (EZLN)
launched its uprising on Jan. 1, 1994, occupying several cities in Chiapas in
a stunning surprise attack that rocked the nation. 

Fighting was brief and less than 200 peole died. But the Zapatistas captured
the imagination of many Mexicans and leftists worldwide as a new kind of
guerrilla army in the post-Cold War era. 

The march is expected to measure how much of that initial outpouring of
support the Zapatistas have maintained. 

Rebel Zapatista supporters will emerge out of the Lacandon jungle on Monday
and begin a 180-mile (300-km) leg to the colonial city of San Cristobal de
las Casas. 

>From there, the march will begin in earnest. Other Mexican indigenous groups
and Zapatista supporters from other countries will meet the group in San
Cristobal. They are scheduled to reach Mexico City's central plaza, or
Zocalo, Friday. 

San Cristobal Bishop Samuel Ruiz, an outspoken supporter of indigenous rights
with close links to the Zapatistas, said on Sunday that three members of the
Church's human rights group will accompany the rebel supporters to monitor
the march. 

After that, a civilian group known as the Zapatista National Liberation Front
will launch its first congress, signaling the start of a new political
organization that has pledged not to seek elective office.  

12:29 09-07-97

 
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