 |
Mexico Rebel Leaders March into Mexico City
After a long march, 24 masked Mexico's Zapatista rebel commanders, headed by Subcomandante Marcos, marched into the downtown of the Mexican capital and received a warm welcome from thousands of their supporters.
Standing on a flatbed truck at the Zocolo square, Marcos told his 150,000 supporters, "We are here as rebels who cry out: democracy, justice, liberty."
Marcos, who has led a seven-year war against the government demanding indigenous rights, said, "the hour of the Indian people has come." He called for the recognition of Indian rights and culture.
The Zapatista leaders arrived in the capital city after 14 days and 3,000 kilometers drive from their stronghold in the jungles of Chiapas with safety and passage assurance from the government.
Mexican President Vicente Fox has repeatedly pledged that, for the sake of political stability, economic development and the peace in Chiapas, the government is willing to enter dialogue with Zapatista rebel leaders.
The rebels also said that they are ready to reach a peace deal with the government if the congress passes the indigenous rights bill, the government recognizes Indian rights and culture, demilitarizes Chiapas and releases arrested Zapatista rebels.
Observers believe that because of the different interpretations of the term of "autonomy," it will not be easy for the two sides to reach a final peace agreement.
In This Section
|