To the People of Mexico:
To the Peoples of the World:
Brothers and Sisters:
This is our word:
FIRST. - The globalization of power has
demonstrated throughout the world that it has entered its most aggressive stage
by making military war its primary weapon of domination. Nonetheless, the
attack against the people of Iraq not only bore witness to globalization’s true
destructive nature, but it also provoked the greatest worldwide condemnation in
the history of humanity. Despite the
fallen statues, worldwide resistance and rebellion have been maintained and are
growing. The zapatista rebellion is just one small part of the great
demonstration of human dignity throughout the planet.
SECOND. - In our country, the Mexican political
class (which includes all registered political parties and the three branches
of the Union) betrayed the hope of millions of Mexicans, and of thousands of
persons from other countries, of seeing the rights and culture of the Indian
peoples of Mexico constitutionally recognized. A short time ago, Mexican
politicians, completely distanced from reality, gave an excellent demonstration
of their unlimited capacity for the ridiculous, by holding one of the most comical
election campaigns in Mexican history. The high absenteeism in the July 6
elections was a popular reaction which they are still refusing to recognize.
THIRD. - In response to all of this, the EZLN
has decided to completely suspend any contact with the Mexican federal government
and the political parties, and the zapatista peoples have reaffirmed that
resistance is their primary means of struggle. In both communiqués which were released by members of the CCRI-CG
of the EZLN this January 1 in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, we
zapatistas reiterated our status as rebels. We also announced that, despite the stupidity and blindness of Mexican
politicians, the so-called “San Andres Accords on Indigenous Rights and Culture”
(signed by the federal government and the EZLN on February 16, 1996 and
expressed in the so-called “Cocopa Law”) will be put into practice in rebel territories.
FOURTH. - On that occasion, we zapatistas also
reiterated our right to express solidarity with the just struggles of the
people of Mexico and of the world. This was in response to those who demanded
that we limit ourselves to the indigenous issue in Mexico. We expressed
our support, at the world level, for Venezuelan sovereignty, for the people of
Iraq and for all those struggles in resistance against the power of money.
We expressed our support in Mexico for those primarily indigenous brothers
and sisters who are resisting throughout the country.
FIFTH. - Over these last few months, the
indigenous zapatista peoples and rebels organized in the EZLN have prepared a
series of changes, which have to do with their internal functioning and their
relationship with national and international civil society, and they are ready
to make them public.
SIXTH. - In order to announce and explain these
changes, 30 zapatista Autonomous Municipalities have asked the CCRI-CG of the
EZLN to have Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos carry out, in addition to his work
as spokesperson of the EZLN, the duties of spokesperson for the Autonomous
Municipalities, although just temporarily. In accordance with this, today
and in the coming days, both documents will be made public, signed by Subcomandante
Insurgente Marcos in the name of the CCRI-CG of the EZLN and of the Rebel
Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities.
SEVENTH. - To those brothers and sisters, in
Mexico and throughout the world, who have had relationships regarding projects
or correspondence with the rebel zapatista Autonomous Municipalities, and to
those, in Mexico and throughout the world, who have addressed the EZLN to
request our word and/or participation in different international initiatives
against the globalization of power, we are asking for your patience and understanding.
Until such time as these changes are announced and have become operative,
we shall not be able to give them the attention they deserve.
That is all...for now.
Democracy!
Liberty!
Justice!
By the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee
- Comandancia General of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.
By the Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities of
Chiapas.
Subcomandante
Insurgente Marcos
Mexico,
July of 2003.
* July 19, 2003. Originally published in Spanish by
the CCRI-CG of the EZLN and the Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities of
Chiapas. Translated by irlandesa.
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