Rebels Say Supporters Agree To Peace Accord

Zapatista rebels announced Wednesday that their supporters have agreed overwhelmingly to accept the first phase of a peace accord with the Mexican government that eventually could end their two-year-old guerrilla conflict.

The pending agreement on indigenous Indian rights is the first of six planned accords to be negotiated on re-establishing peace in the troubled southern state of Chiapas. It was considered a breakthrough that could lead to more agreements which, added together, could end a standoff beginning New Year’s Day 1994 when the bloody insurrection broke out.

“Thousands … of men and women were consulted,” said Zapatista commander Tacho, reading a statement from the Zapatista National Liberation Army in the central square of the Chiapas mountain town of San Andres Larrainzar, where peace talks are continuing this week.

Negotiators spent nearly 10 months debating details of the first accord, which includes proposals for constitutional amendments giving Mexico’s estimated 15 million Indians special rights based on ancient traditions and culture. These first proposals, however, do not address the most controversial indigenous rights issues of land control and autonomy.

Tacho said rebel supporters asked their leaders to continue pushing demands for greater land reforms and more autonomy for Mexico’s Indians. It has remained intransigent on land reform issues, particularly demands that it give up claims to mineral and oil deposits under Indian-owned land.

If, as expected, the accord on indigenous rights is signed, negotiators will proceed to even more controversial issues of justice, social and political reform.