(no subject)
MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK
SPECIAL REPORT
JUNE 21, 2005
ZAPATISTAS ANNOUNCE "RED ALERT"
The Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) declared a
"Red Alert" on Sunday night, June 19. The alert is
reproduced below. The Zapatistas have declared only two
previous red alerts since their uprising in 1994, the most
recent in 1997 after the Acteal massacre. There has been
a great deal of speculation in the press and among
"experts" about the meaning and context of this red alert,
but so far the Zapatistas themselves have not offered an
explanation. The content of the alert indicates that this
is a preventative measure rather than a response to any
one particular incident, but beyond this the meaning and
scope of the alert is not yet clear. The Mexico Solidarity
Network counsels patience and close attention until the
situation is clarified. We call on international
solidarity groups to closely monitor the situation and be
prepared to respond if the Zapatistas issue a call to
action. While the Caracoles are closed as of Sunday
night, the Juntas of Good Government will continue to
function, though the manner in which they will function
remains to be defined. This means that international
solidarity projects may have to be flexible in their
logistics and implementation. As of this writing, there
has been no call for international human rights observers.
Check http://www.fzln.org.mx for the latest
communications from the EZLN, and check
MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org for analysis from the solidarity
movement.
Mexico
June 19, 2005
To the People of Mexico:
To the Peoples of the World:
Brothers and Sisters:
As of today, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation has
declared, throughout all rebel territory, a GENERAL RED
ALERT
Based on this, we are informing you:
First - That at this time the closure is being carried out
of the Caracoles and the Good Government Offices, which
are located in the Zapatista communities of Oventik, La
Realidad, Morelia and Roberto Barrios, as well as all the
headquarters of the authorities of the different Rebel
Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities.
Second - That also being carried out is the evacuation of
the members of the different Good Government Juntas and
the autonomous authorities, in order to place them in
shelter. Now, and for an indefinite time period, they will
be carrying out their work in a clandestine and nomadic
manner. Both the projects as well as the autonomous
government will continue functioning, although under
different circumstances than they have been up until now.
Third - That basic community health services will continue
functioning in the different Caracoles. Civilians will be
in charge of these services, and the CCRI-CG of the EZLN
is distancing them from any of our future actions, and we
are demanding that they be treated as civilians and with
respect for their life, liberty and goods by government
forces.
Fourth - That there has been a call-up of all members of
our EZLN who have been engaged in social work in the
Zapatista communities and those of our regular troops who
have been in their barracks. In a similar fashion, all
broadcasts by Radio Insurgente, "The Voice of Those
Without Voice", in FM and in short wave, have been
suspended for an indefinite period of time.
Fifth - That, simultaneous with the publication of this
communiqué, national and international civil societies who
are working in peace camps and in community projects are
being urged to leave rebel territory. Or, if they decide
freely of their own volition, they remain on their own and
at their own risk, gathered in the caracoles. In the case
of minors, their departure is obligatory.
Sixth - That the EZLN announces the closing of the
Zapatista Information Centre (CIZ), not without first
thanking the civil societies who have participated in it,
from the time of its creation until today. The CCRI-CG of
the EZLN formally releases these persons from any
responsibility for the future actions of the EZLN.
Seventh - That the EZLN releases from responsibility for
any of our future actions all persons and civil,
political, cultural, citizens and non-governmental
organizations, solidarity committees and support groups
who have been close to us since 1994. We thank all of
those who have, sincerely and honestly, throughout these
almost 12 years, supported the civil and peaceful struggle
of the Zapatista indigenous for the constitutional
recognition of indigenous rights and culture.
Democracy!
Liberty!
Justice!
From the Mountains of the Mexican Southeast.
By the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee -
General Command of the Zapatista Army of National
Liberation.
Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos
Mexico, the sixth month of the year 2005.