CounterVortex

The Zapatista communities in Chiapas are beginning to return to normal, as the rebels’ “red alert” has been lifted. The rebels say they are about to commence work on the new political initiative—still somewhat vaguely defined—which they agreed upon in the “consulta” they held in their communities during the alert. These two recent communiques state their purposes. First this one, on the new initiative, online in translation at the Chiapas95 archive:

Communique’ from the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee – General Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

Mexico.

July 13, 2005

To the People of Mexico:

This is our word:

First – The EZLN has now designated a committee from its leadership in order to take responsibility for everything having to do with the work of carrying forward the Sixth Declaration of the Selva Lacandona. It will work, jointly and respectfully, with those organizations, groups, collectives and individuals who join with us in this new civil and peaceful initiative in Mexico.

Second – The Sixth Declaration is clear in its contents and purposes, and it has been so understood by its recipients. Only the politicians and businesspersons of Mexico have demonstrated that they do not understand anything, and they have not missed the opportunity to behave ridiculously.

Third – The EZLN has read, with respect and attentively, the different analyses which have been made of this initiative. We are grateful to those who have warned of risks and dangers and who have given their opinion as to the best direction and steps for moving forward. The EZLN has, in addition, taken note of the many messages of support which it has received through various channels.

Fourth – In order to organize and systematize all of this, and in agreement with the Mexican magazine of the left, “Rebeldi’a,” the EZLN is advising that messages of support, of willingness to work together, positive and negative comments, constructive and destructive criticism, help, rejections and repudiations of the Sixth Declaration of the Selva Lacandona will be accepted at the following email addresses:

In order to subscribe to the Sixth Declaration and in order to start working, jointly with the EZLN, in the Plan for a National Campaign with Another Politics, for a National Program of Struggle of the Left and a New Constitution, the email address is conlasexta@revistarebeldia.org. We are asking you to please include some means of communicating with you so that you can stay informed about everything and so you can be invited to the meetings and activities which will be held.

For everything against the Sixth Declaration of the Selva Lacandona, the email address is contralasexta@revistarebeldia.org . All of the opinions against will be read and seriously analyzed.

For all and any general information, consult the web page:
www.revistarebeldia.org

Fifth – The EZLN committee responsible for the work for achieving the Sixth Declaration will – on August 1, 2005 – prepare a preliminary list of those persons and organizations of the left who have joined in with this work, in order to carry out a series of discussion and working meetings with them. They will be scheduled by groups and will be given sufficient notice.

Sixth – We respectfully ask the political and social, indigenous, non-governmental, cultural, artistic, scientific, gender, homosexual, lesbian, transsexual, everyone-in-their-own-way organizations, groups, collectives and any other kind of associations – to promptly name their delegates or representatives who will be attending these working meetings.

Democracy!
Liberty!
Justice!

From the mountains of the Mexican Southeast.

Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee – General Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

Mexico, July of 2005.

And this earlier one on the lifting of the “red alert,” also online at Chiapas95:

Communique’ from the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee – General
Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

Mexico.

July 11, 2005.

To the People of Mexico:
To the Peoples of the World:

Brothers and Sisters:

The EZLN is addressing you in order to inform you of the following:

First – With the completion of the internal consulta – whose results have already been made known – the EZLN has decided to lift the Red Alert which it has been maintaining since June 19, 2005 in the zapatista indigenous communities.

Second – As of this July 15, the Caracoles of La Realidad, Roberto Barrios, Oventik, Morelia and La Garrucha will be reopened. The different Good Government Juntas will also once again begin their work in their respective headquarters.

Third – The Autonomous Rebel Zapatista Municipality [MAREZ] councils will also be reopening throughout all zapatista territory. Educational services, as well as cooperatives and other services, will also be reactivated.

Fourth – Civil activities will gradually be getting back to normal throughout the entire territory.

Fifth – As a result of the internal zapatista consulta, there will be some changes in the Caracoles.

For example, while those who have already been named by the Autonomous Councils in the Good Government Juntas will be there, now there will be support base compañeros and compañeras in the “Security Committees.” They will inform themselves as to who arrives, as to problems for those requesting help or resolution, as to programs being proposed, as to humanitarian help and aid for the indigenous communities, and as to the decisions made by members of the Good Government Juntas. These security committees will report to the MAREZ and the support bases so that everyone can be informed, make assessments and say whether what is being decided and done is good or bad.

In addition to the Good Government Junta offices and the security committees, there will be an “Information Committee.” This committee will be in charge of attending to those persons who come asking for information and explanations about the zapatista movement, its history and its struggle.

Sixth – These changes will be taking place little by little, and they will certainly cause some setbacks and confusion, so we are asking for your understanding, which your nobility has already demonstrated previously.

Seventh – We are inviting national and international civil society to resume, as of this July 15, your contacts, visits and projects in the Caracoles and with the Good Government Juntas and MAREZ throughout zapatista territory. You will all be welcome.

Democracy!
Liberty!
Justice!

From the mountains of the Mexican Southeast.

Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee – General Command of the
Zapatista Army of National Liberation,

Mexico. July of 2005.

See our last post on Chiapas.