It is pure coincidence that earlier I posted the Zapatista Anthem and then this piece of news. I just received this communique (pasted in full below), which apparently was released yesterday. (Corporate news story here.) No one seems to know what is going on, though one can be sure the Zapatistas do not make such declarations lightly.
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.
Originally published in Spanish by the CCRI-CG of
the EZLN
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Translated by irlandesa
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