B4-0085, 0114 and 0116/95

Resolution on the situation in the state of Chiapas

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its resolution of 20 January 1994 on the peasant uprising in Chiapas,

A.whereas the outcome of the meeting between the Mexican Government and the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) held in Lacandona on Sunday, 15 January 1995 marks a new understanding in the efforts to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the State of Chiapas,

B.expressing its optimism at the fact that the ceasefire between the EZLN and the Mexican Government has now lasted a year, but noting that the political and social situation in Chiapas threatens the maintenance of the ceasefire,

C.deeply concerned by the fact that the political and social situation in Chiapas, which affects the indigenous people of the region in particular, has not brought about any positive change and is jeopardizing the maintenance of the ceasefire, since the causes of the uprising remain,

D.concerned at the continuing violence in the Mexican State of Chiapas and at the precarious human rights situation,

E.alarmed at the deterioration in the general situation in Mexico following the elections of 21 August 1994,

F.aware that the Mexican economy is undergoing severe disturbances and that this is affecting the economies of the entire continent, as well as having led to an unprecedented devaluation of the national currency,

Ghaving regard to the conclusions of the summit of Heads of State and Government held in Essen on 9 and 10 December 1994, concerning the establishment of a new contractual framework between the European Union and Mexico,

1.Welcomes the first positive contacts between the new government and the EZLN;

2.Reiterates the need for this dialogue to continue with a view to ensuring that human rights are still respected and action is taken to relieve the exploitation, poverty and injustice affecting the indigenous population;

3.Calls on the parties concerned to ensure, through dialogue and detente, that there is no possibility of hostilities being renewed;

4.Is aware of the efforts at mediation with a view to securing a calm and hopeful attitude to the conflict which have been made by the commission headed by the Bishop of San Cristóbal de las Casas;

5.Calls on President Ernesto Zedillo to fulfil his undertakings regarding electoral law and justice, in order to fight corruption, democratize society, implement agrarian reform and promote respect for human rights;

6.Calls on the Commission to make every effort, in line with other international bodies, to launch a special action in support of the Mexican economy;

7.Calls on the European Investment Bank to provide support from its budget headings for aid to third countries to ensure that macroeconomic equilibrium is restored in the Mexican economy;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Member States, the European Investment Bank, the Government of Mexico, the commission headed by the Bishop of San Cristóbal de las Casas, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the CONAI.