Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 17:25:05 -0600 (CST)
From: Sendic Estrada Jimenez <sestrada-AT-fcfm.buap.mx>
Subject: M-NEWS: E;Jornada,Mexican Army in La Realidad/translation, Oct 15 (fwd)






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Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 23:51:12 -0500 (CDT)
From: Chiapas95 <owner-chiapas95-AT-eco.utexas.edu>
Reply-To: Chiapas 95 Moderators <chiapas-AT-eco.utexas.edu>
Subject: E;Jornada,Mexican Army in La Realidad/translation, Oct 15

This posting has been forwarded to you as a service of 
Accion Zapatista de Austin.

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Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 22:59:05 +0000
From: NUEVO AMANECER PRESS <amanecer-AT-aa.net>
Reply-To: chiapas-l-AT-profmexis.sar.net
Subject: Mexican Army in La Realidad/translation 


Translation from La Jornada, Mexican Daily.

La Jornada, October 15, 1997.

The Mexican Army expands it's base in La Realidad, Chiapas

Herman Bellinghausen, correspondent, La Realidad, Chiapas, October 14* A
week after
the new camp was installed, the new Mexican
Federal Army's base in the banks of the river Euseba, has become a great
threat to
La Realidad.   Presently housing 500 military personnel who themselves have
said to the peasants who pass close by, that they will not leave, "that
they are there to take La Realidad".

Also, the Army's special task forces have
shortened the distance that separate them from the emblematic zapatista
town, installing themselves on the other side of the river and not only now
in the lands
of the next town, Hidalgo.

During the first days, there were 80 to 90 military personnel.   After the
protest from the zapatista bases of support this
past October 8th, they duplicated in number
reaching 150.   Since yesterday their numbers reached five hundred.

In what results in a change in strategic scheme on the part of General
Mario Renan
Castillo, highest chief of the armed forces
in the conflict area, (that consisted in
concentration of troops two months ago),
the new positions expand the combat positions of the Mexican Federal Army,
with
obvious offensive intentions.

The large army bases of San Quintin and Quadalupe Tepeyac have mobilized
military personnel, arms and equipment for the
bases at Hidalgo.  An army detachment left
San Quintin to occupy again the town of Providencia (since the detachment
there advanced to the Euseba river), and 11 vehicles filled with equipment
and barbed wire left Quadalupe Tepeyac; they went through La Realidad with
a 20 vehicle patrol and 180 soldiers, and delivered
the equipment on the banks of the river
Euseba 5 kilometers from here.  At that site another barracks and supply
stores for another base is being build at high speed.

To complete the scenario, since today at 4 in the morning a low flying
recognizance plane practiced flights over La Realidad and it's neighboring
towns, and later 
military helicopters flew overhead.

In the meantime, the construction work on the road that was taking place by
a private company, by concession of the State government, continue
suspended and the tensions increase.  The thread of peace
stretches and thins out.  How much more will it take before breaking?

The civilian population is concerned and
on alert.   From here, a great loneliness is felt.  Is La Realidad all alone?

The patrols

It's one thrifty in the afternoon.  Through
the town, and a few meters away from the
Aguascalientes,  31 vehicles of the military patrol, in the majority
Hummers with armed troops pass very slowly.   From several of the vehicles
machine guns are visible and in position.  Hanging from them are the bullet
belts and their gunners
point to anything that moves.

Other soldiers film and photograph the
witnesses on the road.  The children
in the town are indoors.  A few peasants
observe discreetly, while some members of the Civilian Peace Camp place
themselves, as always, on both sides of the road.

And last, from a truck, a canon is pointed
against the civilian population.  That is what they call, "to cover their
rear guard".

translated by: Susana Saravia Ugarte
               Nuevo Amanecer Press/USA

translators notes:

Aguascalientes: zapatista camp.
La Realidad: Zapatista town where  subcommander Marcos is given interviews
to the press.

________________________________________________________________

NUEVO AMANECER PRESS is a volunteer non profit organization.
We are part of "civil society" in Mexico, USA and Spain supporting
the work of human rights and the Peace Process in Chiapas, Mexico.

As an alternative press service we hope to be one more link in the 
chain of hope that is distributing, duplicating and translating the 
news that the regular media does not cover.  The news that speaks
on behalf of the poor.  We encourage translation and duplication of
all materials.  Please mention the source.

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