Zapatista Red Alert declared in Chiapas

north america / mexico | indigenous struggles | press release Tuesday June 21, 2005 13:45 by Andrew

Zapatistas preparing to go underground once more, requesting peace observers to leave the communities, closing carocols and Goood Government Councils. This appears to be preparation for war!

Originally published in Spanish by the CCRI-CG of the EZLN
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Translated by irlandesa


Communiqué from the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee - General
Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

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, in the sixth month of the year 2005.