1996-12-05 Local Press - CHIAPAS
Article Index
CHIAPAS
Peace Process Advancing
The Congressional Commission for Agreement and Peace (COCOPA) turned in a summary of the proposals for reforms in the area of indigenous fights and culture to the Zapatista Army for National Liberation (EZLN) and the Interior Secretariat for their approval or disapproval. The document lays out the agreements reached in the San Andres peace process to date and the necessary next steps, including Constitutional reforms. COCOPA said it was "definitive" and that the two sides would have to approve or reject it as is. EZLN Sub-Commander Marcos announced that, although the COCOPA proposal is lacking in some areas, the EZLN delegation has approved it. If the government follows suit and the process continues to move forward, a peace agreement could be signed in the first quarter of 1997, Marcos said. However, he noted that the EZLN is still a long way from turning over their arms. (La Jornada, 3 December)
Pastors for Peace Attacked in Chiapas
Members of the U.S. organization Pastors for Peace were attacked - presumably by the paramilitary group Peace and Justice - when they were in Chiapas to turn over humanitarian aid to communities in northern Chiapas. According to Tom Hansen, the director of the organization, while their bus was passing through Agua Fria on Thursday, November 28, a group of about one hundred people blocked their path and pounded on the bus, demanding to inspect the contents. The delegation refused. After having been denied official protection the following day by security forces, a man in an olive green uniform shot at the bus several times. Fortunately, no one was wounded. The organization called on all parties seeking peace in Chiapas to work to ensure the reduction of hostilities in the zone (Pastors for Peace Press Release, 30 November; La Jornada, 1 December).