Wary Zapatistas Agree To Government Plan

Wary Indian rebel negotiators Monday agreed in principle to a government proposal to move troops from some villages that sympathize with the rebels.

Eight representatives of the rebel Zapatista National Liberation Army and four from the federal government continued to meet Monday, and were expected to make further announcements.

The measure falls short of an offer the government made late Sunday to move troops out of 11 villages. But it does address the rebels’ intense distrust of the government with a test case that, if fulfilled, could build confidence.

Negotiators are wrangling over troop placement and withdrawal by both sides in an bid to lessen tensions in the 16-month-old Indian uprising.