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Mexican President Says Solution to Chiapas Conflict "Indispensable"
Mexican President Vicente Fox on Tuesday described as "indispensable" finding a solution to the seven-year-old conflict with Zaptista guerrillas in Chiapas state.
"We will not rest until we reach peace in Chiapas. It's the only way out." Fox told a press conference at Los Pinos presidential residence in Mexico City.
Fox, of National Action Party (PAN), took office on December 1 as the first leader from the opposition, putting an end to 71 years of the single-party rule of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
"We shall keep on working to build peace in Chiapas," said Fox, who had ordered a troop withdrawal from Chiapas areas, as demanded by the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLA).
The EZLA revolted on January 1, 1994, demanding respects for the rights of indigenous people, who are a majority but the poorest in Chiapas, a state rich in natural resources.
Fox said he was optimistic that Congress will approve a law concerning indigenous peoples' rights, in order to pave the way for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Chiapas, a PRI legacy.
The EZLA agreed to renew the peace dialogue with the government on condition that the government closes all seven military bases in the troubled state, approves an indigenous law regarding culture and indigenous rights and releases all guerrilla prisoners.
Asked about the political turmoil in the southern state of Tabasco, Fox said: "We expect the different political parties to reach an agreement and that the resolutions follow the constitution."
The turmoil was ignited by last Friday's decision by Mexico's highest electoral tribunal to overturn the PRI's victory in an October gubernatorial election due to voting irregularities.
The situation became tense when the PRI on Sunday appointed an interim governor pending new elections, while opposition lawmakers fought back on Monday by installing their own interim leader.
Fox ruled out intervention by the federal government in the political issue, saying the executive would remain neutral in the controversy as dictated by the constitution.
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