To the national and international press;
from Insurgent Subcommandante Angeles, Branch of Liaison, Communications, and Investigations, Clandestine Command "Division of the North" (Villista National Liberation Front).
We direct ourselves to you to say the following:
It would appear to us that you, President Bush, are preparing to attack Iraq on or around Sept. 11, and that you, President Fox, are preparing to attack the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, under the cover of Bush's war against Iraq, attempting to link them together under a general, albeit spurious, "war on terror...", thus soliciting support from President Bush.
We strongly warn you both against such actions, the consequences of which cannot be forseen.
On September 11th, the United States was attacked by terrorists. The Zapatista bases of support were attacked by terrorists this August, just the latest in a series of terrorist attacks. The United States Government has tentatively identified the perpetrators of the attack against the World Trade Towers and Pentagon as belonging to the Al-Qaeda organisation, which you are not claiming has anything to do with the government of Iraq. The paramilitaries who attacked the Zapatista bases of support came from areas under Mexican Government control.
You say you are at war against terrorism. We are in fact at war against terrorism.
You say you will attack governments that support terrorists. We shall attack governments that support terrorists.
Meanwhile, the Mexican Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the Law on Indigenous Rights proposed by President Fox and ratified by the Mexican Congress which abrogates the Treaty of San Andres Larranzar between the Mexican Government and the EZLN. That treaty was the first "Indian Treaty" in Mexico's history: it's being as trampled upon as US Indian Treaties.
As for the 3 signals the Zapatistas have been waiting for to resume dialogue:
1. Respect for the Treaty of San Andres Larranzar: this has been effectively repudiated...
2. Withdrawal of the Mexican Army from positions surrounding the EZLN: they never completed this process, and this, combined with the paramilitaries' terrorist attacks against the Zapatista bases of civilian support, opens the way for reoccupation of those bases...
3. Release of political prisoners: this process has likewise never been completed: if the Mexican Army moves to reoccupy these bases, it will likely take more political prisoners in order to secure its reoccupation, completely shutting the door on any further negotiations, and preparing for a resumption of war against the Zapatistas...
We realise that you, President, Bush and you, President Fox are kindred souls: a native-born Texan son of transplanted Yankees, and a native-born Mexican decendent of transplanted Texans. We acknowlege that you both are under constant pressure to impress your home constituents. We also realise that your political parties, the PAN and the US Republicans, are kindred. What would make more sense than for you, President Fox, to follow President Bush's lead, and attack the Zapatistas?
Of course, should you choose to embark on this perilous course, President Fox, you will face even more internal opposition than does Bush, including from us Villistas, as you shall both face international opposition as well: are you both really spoiling to do battle with your various opponents?
Of this we can assure you: if you do decide to attack the EZLN, President Fox, the Zapatistas, and all national liberation forces supporting them, must counterattack; if Bush supports Fox in that instance, a price must be paid for that support...
War is an extremely dangerous enterprise, and should not be embarked upon recklessly: please do not learn that the hard way. Neither of you will ever be forgiven by those you plunge into useless bloodshed.
From the Mexican Northwest, Insurgent Subcommander Angeles, Branch of Liaison, Communications, and Investigations, Clandestine Commando "Division of the North" (Villista National Liberation Front).
© 1997 villista@iname.com
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