---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 12 Feb 95 07:54 EST
From: Mexicanos Exiliados pro-Democracia <usi@infi.net>
To: chiapas-l@profmexis.dgsca.unam.mx
Subject: Mexico: URGENT APPEAL TO THE WORLD
February 11, 1995
To the peoples and governments of the world,
To the United Nations Organization,
To the Organization of American States,
To the International Red Cross,
To the world's nongovernmental organizations,
To the media:
Once again the Mexican Government is showing its disregard for both the
Mexican Constitution and the Geneva Conventions for Armed Conflicts.
Ernesto Zedillo, de facto President of Mexico, has issued Federal arrest
warrants against six individuals accused of leading the EZLN (or Ejercito
Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional). By ordering the Federal Army to
execute those warrants WITHOUT PRIOR CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF A
STATE OF EMERGENCY, he violates the Mexican Constitution. In addition,
Mr. Zedillo's order disregards the Geneva Conventions for Armed Conflict,
for the soldiers of a Belligerent Army are treated as though they were
common criminals. Moreover, his order disregards the sovereignty of the
State of Chiapas, inasmuch as it gives Federal jurisdiction to alleged
criminal activities that would otherwise fall within the jurisdiction of
the said state, had the crimes been committed by civilians.
While Mr. Zedillo based his use of the Federal Army on article 89 of
the Mexican Constitution, he was oblivious of the same Constitution
(articles 13; 16; 21; 29; 49; 73, fractions XIV and XXX; and 129) which
imposes strict limitations and conditions for the use of the military,
SPECIFICALLY DEMANDING CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL, PARTICULARLY IF THE ARMY
IS SENT AGAINST CIVILIANS; and, according to Mr. Zedillo the soldiers
of the EZLN are civilians.
The illegal Executive Order will no doubt reignite the Civil War in
Chiapas and has the potential to spread the conflict to the entire
Mexican territory. Mexican Exiles for Democracy urges all law-abiding
citizens of the world, as well as their governments and the international
organizations to sever all ties between them and the de facto government
of Mexico.
We urge, in addition, an immediate embargo on weapons and military
paraphernalia to Mexico, the garnishment of any and all Mexican assets
in your territories, the expulsion of Mexican ambassadors, consuls and
other diplomatic personnel from your countries and organizations; we
also urge you to call urgent sessions of the UN Security Council and
the OAS in order to demand an explanation from the Mexican government.
The International Red Cross must be alerted to be prepared for a
prolonged and bloody Civil War in Mexico, since the spurious government
has shown, beyond any reasonable doubt, its lack of intent for peace
with justice and dignity.
We urge our fellow non-governmental organizations to send observers
to the War Zones in Chiapas, as well as to those that might develop
elsewhere in Mexico.
We ask the peoples of the world to boycott Mexican products and to lobby
your respective governments to protect your countries' interests by not
intervening in Mexico and to abide by the principles of non-intervention
and peoples' self-determination.
"For a Free and Democratic Mexico"
Luis Melgoza,
for the International Executive Committee.
-- Mexican Exiles for Democracy <usi@infi.net> NORFOLK, VA USA Voice: (804)461-3119 Fax: (804)459-2350