Photo: Tapachula, Chiapas, 11/10/2005
Originally published in Spanish by the EZLN
Photo: Tapachula, Chiapas, 11/10/2005
Translated by irlandesa
Communique' from the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee - General Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation
Mexico
October 17, 2005
To the People of Mexico
To the Peoples of the World
To the Other CampaignBrothers and Sisters
Compañeras and Compañeros:First - As everyone is aware, the heavy rains of the last few weeks have caused serious damage to the poor population of several states of the Mexican Republic, among them the state of Chiapas. Owing to this catastrophe, the very poorest have been left with nothing, and, in addition to the burden of pain at having lost what little they had, they must now put up with the bad leaders' inability to provide humanitarian aid, politicians using the media to plunder their misfortune and the one who turns the disaster zones into an election bulletin.
Second - Apart from the bureaucracies and corruption of the Mexican political class (which has turned the misfortunes of the poorest into a publicity spot), honest non-governmental organizations, groups, social organizations, political organizations of the left and individuals are organizing help for the affected persons.
Third - At the present time, authorities of the Good Government Junta of the Selva-Border Region and the "Tierra y Libertad" Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipality, which includes communities in the Border, Sierra and Coast of Chiapas, have gone personally to the affected area in order to see how the zapatista support base compañeros and compañeras who reside in those places are doing.
Fourth - The Good Government Committee has only been able to reach a few areas, because the roads to some zapatista communities and villages are cut off. The first report from the Good Government Junta notes, up to now, that there are close to 300 zapatista support bases who are suffering from damage caused by the rains, hill slides and rivers overflowing. 62 homes were destroyed, 37 of them completely and 25 with severe damage.
Fifth - The Good Government Junta of La Realidad is devoting part of its resources to helping these compañeros and compañeras. The zapatista peoples in other areas are also organizing aid, and the EZLN has already earmarked part of its war funds for helping our support bases in those places, but it is not enough, and we are having difficulties with transportation.
Sixth - The CCRI-CG of the EZLN is, therefore, respectfully addressing their compañeros and compañeras from the "Other" Campaign and individuals, groups and collectives from other countries, and it is calling on them to organize, below and to the left of governments and political parties, direct aid for this region. We are especially directing ourselves to the compañeros and compañeras of the "Other" Campaign in Chiapas so that they can provide premises and transportation.
Seventh - As offered to the Good Government of Junta of La Realidad, aid can be received at the following locations in San Cristo'bal de Las Casas, Chiapas (to be then moved from there to those places that need it): Desmi A.C., Enlace Civil and Melel Xojobal. The humanitarian aid will be received directly by the zapatista indigenous victims.
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, October of 2005