Originally published in Spanish by the EZLN

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Translated by irlandesa



Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

Mexico.

December 8, 2000.

To the National and International Press:

Ladies and gentlemen:

The letter for the travelers and the communique' are off. It looks as if

it's going to go on for a while yet. And I'm not saying that because of

the abundance of commercials about a nonexistent peace in Chiapas, but

because of what Do~a Xo'chitl said: constitutional reform on indigenous

rights and culture is going to take, at the least, some two years! (and

then they say that the zapatistas want to drag out the resolution of the

conflict). Fine, that's too bad. No less than 2 years without vocho, TV's

or little shops.

Vale. Salud, and I'm not going to be starting a press conference on time

any more. Don't think I wasn't aware of the sarcasm in your articles.

>From the mountains of the Mexican Southeast.

Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos.

Mexico, December of 2000.



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(#1)



Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

Mexico.

December of 2000.

To the Xi'Nich and Las Abejas marchers who reached Mexico City.

Brothers and sisters:

With silent hope we saw you leave these Indian mountains of the Mexican

southeast. In silence still we listen to your steps reaching the sister

lands of Oaxaca and Veracruz. Far away now, we were applauding here, next

to those who were feeding and clothing you.

Our word open now once again, the drum of our hearts beats along with your

steps, and our eyes, along with yours, half-close at the sight of the city

of palaces, home of governments, yes, but also of fighters of many skins.

For centuries this has been our history.

Long walks to the palace of the gentleman who governs with little hearing

and much talk.

Many steps for our ancient word to be heard.

Many steps for us to realize that, even though the powerful do not hear,

the other, who is different from us, does indeed listen to us, the man and

woman who are aware that they are our brothers, even though the blood and

history which suckled them are different.

There were many steps. Many steps go with you. Many shall follow. So

shall it be until the powerful understand that, in our path and in our

steps, go not only history, but tomorrow walks as well.

Salud, brothers and sisters of Xi'Nich and Las Abejas! Salud to your

steps! Those who walked yesterday, those who shall walk tomorrow, are

walking with you.

>From the mountains of the Mexican Southeast.

Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos.

Mexico, December of 2000.



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(#2)



Communique' from the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee -

General Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

Mexico.



December 8, 2000.

To the People of Mexico:

To the Peoples and Governments of the World:



Brothers and Sisters:

First. - Today, December 8, 2000, the Governor in Rebellion, Don Amado

Avenda~o Figueroa, ends his six-year term at the head of the executive of

the state of Chiapas. During his term of office, the now former Governor

Avenda~o suffered persecution, slander and, as a candidate, an attempt

against his life. Nonetheless, he remained firm and, in spite of threats

and blackmail, he steadfastly continued his work.

Among his achievements are the dissemination throughout the world of the

indigenous' demands, his position on the militarization and

paramilitarization of the communities, his condemnation of the Zedillo

government's strategy of pretence, and his commitment to a political ethic

from which many could well learn. Six years after his taking office, Don

Amado Avenda~o has acquitted himself well to those who elected him and,

despite the electoral fraud committed against him, who supported him.

The zapatista indigenous communities, through the EZLN, are publicly

recognizing the former Governor of Chiapas today. He can have satisfaction

in having carried out his duty. We wish him many successes now that he is

returning to his profession which showed him to the world as an honest and

upright man: journalism.

Second. - Today, Se~or Pablo Salazar Mendiguchi'a took over as the new head

of the Chiapas state executive. In the same way as the federal executive,

Se~or Salazar Mendiguchi'a has the opportunity now to contribute, firstly,

to the renewal of dialogue and, subsequently, to its progress, with

seriousness and responsibility, to the end of the war and to the beginning

of the building of peace with justice and dignity.

Third. - As we heard through a radio broadcast, during his inauguration

Se~or Salazar said he intended to carry out several actions as part of his

government program. If they are realized, these measures would help the

de'tente necessary for dialogue. Regarding the release of zapatista

prisoners, however, it is necessary to remember that, in addition to those

in Chiapas, there are EZLN sympathizers in jails in the states of Tabasco

and Quere'taro.

Fourth. - The EZLN repeats its call to national and international civil

society to mobilize in demanding that the federal government carry out the

three signals which were established: constitutional recognition of

indigenous rights and culture according to the Cocopa proposal, release of

zapatista prisoners throughout the Republic, and the complete withdrawal of

the 7 federal Army's positions in the war zone.

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, December of 2000.