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is my favorite example of what the study of art theory can lead to. In mid August the EZLN (Zapatista guerrilla army) of Chiapas together with the Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities published a taped speech by Marcos indicating he would withdraw from being the spokesman for the 30 new rebel controlled town councils that had asked him to do this in June. These were set up to settle land disputes and manage aid from international charities. Marcos also said they would remove their fighters from roadblocks and stop charging travelers to pass through the territory that they control. Subcommandante Marcos explained that the army is for defending the indiginous people from bad government, paramiltaries, and from those who wish to do them harm, but is not supposed to govern; civil society should govern itself.

As important as the taped message from Marcos was, just try to find a comprehensive report on it anywhere. Even the Global Exchange report is limited in discussion of the communique, but it does give a great little recap of the history of the movement and discusses how the story is being spun by the Mexican government and press. Perhaps it is just best to read the http://chiapas.mediosindependientes.org/display.php3?article_id=105750&unwrap=true
">transcript of the speech.

- Cheryl Meeker [Friday, August 29th, 2003]

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