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MARCH 20, 2001

Temporarily stalling hopes for the legal recognition of Indian rights in their country, the leaders of the Zapatista movement on Monday said they would end their stay in Mexico City and return to the mountains of southern Mexico by the end of the week.

The decision, announced at a press conference, came after a triumphant two-week journey from the state of Chiapas during which Mexicans from all walks of life received the masked rebels with enormous enthusiasm. But after 10 days in the capitol city, such support couldn't sway members of Congress, many of whom refused to do business with men whose faces they couldn't see.

The fight for indigenous rights, however, is far from over, said Zapatista leader Subcomandante Marcos. "The constitutional recognition of indigenous rights must occur and we will fight for new ways of obtaining it," he said.

From the beginning of their so-called "Zapatour," the rebels have made clear a number of demands they want met in order to end their seven-year struggle with the Mexican government. The closure of all military bases in Chiapas, the release of all political prisoners, and the passage of self-determination legislation previously rejected by former President Ernest Zedillo were the three primary demands.

President Vicente Fox, who was inaugurated in December, campaigned on improving the country's relationship with Native peoples and promised to fulfill all of the Zapatista's demands. So far, he has closed four of seven army bases and Mexican authorities have released some Zapatista supporters.

Fox also sent the San Andrés Accords to Congress. Negotiated in 1996, they promise self-determination rights to Indian communities, including the right to form local governments based on Indian culture, the right to teach in Indian languages in public schools, and the right to legislative representation.

Fox couldn't guarantee Congress would agree to the terms or discuss them in a format agreeable to the Zapatistas, though. Responding to the planned departure of the rebels, he said he hoped they would stay and negotiate with Congress.

But Marcos yesterday had harsh words for the politicians Fox still wants him to meet.

"The demand to respect our dignity isn't just ours, its for all honest Mexicans and all the good people in the world," he said. "Only 'caveman' politicians think that they can continue to act with the same racist, arrogant, and authoritarian positions of the colonial era."

Before Marcos and two dozen other Zapatistas leave the city, they plan on holding a rally in front of Congress on Thursday.

Relevant Links:
Zapatista National Liberation Army (In Spanish) - http://www.ezln.org
Zapatista Mexico City Site (In Spanish) - http://www.ezlnaldf.org/index.php
The San Andrés Accords - http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/mexico/SanAndres.html

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