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January 1, 1994 |
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The Zapatista
National Liberation Army (EZLN) takes over 5 towns and more than
500 ranches in Chiapas, southern Mexico |
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January 6, 1994 |
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The Zapatistas
retreat into the jungle. People die on both sides Some say 150,
some say 500. |
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January 12, 1994 |
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The government
declares a ceasefire. Most of the ranches remain in Zapatista hands. |
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February, 1994 |
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A "dialogue"
between government negotiators and the Zapatistas takes place. |
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June, 1994 |
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The Zapatistas
announce that after consulting with their communities in the Lacandon
jungle, they are rejecting the government's peace proposals. |
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December 19, 1994 |
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The Zapatistas
briefly seize towns and roadblocks throughout Chiapas. |
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December 24, 1994 |
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The government
accepts rebel demands for a church-led mediation commission (CONAI)
to handle future peace talks. The CONAI is headed up by the Bishop
of San Cristobal, Samuel Ruiz Garcia |
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February 9,
1995 |
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Federal judicial
police claim they have discovered clandestine arms depots in Mexico
City and Veracruz. They "unmask" Subcomandante's Marcos'
identity and order his arrest. Thousands of soldiers move into rebel
territory for the first time since the uprising to arrest rebel
leaders. All they find is Marcos' pipe. |
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April, 1995 |
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A new round of
peace talks gets underway. |
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February, 1996 |
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A partial accord
on indigenous rights is signed by the Zapatistas and the chief negotiator
for the government. |
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August, 1996 |
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The Zapatistas
withdraw from the peace talks. The Zapatistas say they will not
return until conditions change, including government implementation
of the signed accord and the end to escalating violence against
Zapatista civilian communities in Chiapas. |
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December, 1997 |
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Paramilitary
forces aligned with the ruling party massacre 45 villagers accused
of being Zapatistas. The dead include 10 men, 21 women and 14 children. |
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June 7, 1998 |
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Bishop Samuel
Ruiz Garcia withdraws as mediator of the peace talks, stating that
his work has been undermined by a government campaign aimed at discrediting
him. He headed up the National Mediation Commission (CONAI), which
resigned hours later, alleging government intransigence and unwillingness
to negotiate with the Zapatista guerillas. |
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Oct 9, 1998 |
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US Senate and
Congress introduce a "Sense of Congress Resolution" demanding
increased human rights in Chiapas. |
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June 7, 1998 |
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Bishop Samuel
Ruiz Garcia withdraws as mediator of the peace talks, stating that
his work had been undermined by a government campaign aimed at discrediting
him. He headed up the National Mediation Commission (CONAI) which
resigned hours later, alleging government intransigence and unwillingness
to negotiate with Zapatista guerrillas. |
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Oct 9, 1998
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US Senate and
Congress introduce a "Sense of Congress Resolution" demanding
increased human rights in Chiapas. Included in the many points,
it urges the US government to: |
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(1) take effective measures to ensure that United States assistance
and exports of equipment to Mexican security forces
(a) are used primarily for counter-narcotics purposes; and
(b) do not contribute to human rights violations;
(2) encourage the Government of Mexico to reduce political tension
and violence in Chiapas by disarming paramilitary groups and
decreasing its military presence there.
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The story continues....Mexican
federal police have identified 12 different paramilitary groups
now operating in the state of Chiapas. Local villagers report that
there are in fact more, but it is unclear as to how many. So far
in 1988, there have been at least 60 political killings in Chiapas
and there are now more than 15,000 internal refugees. |
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