Vol. 497 No. 5
87 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in the first meeting between COCOPA Zapatista representatives in Mexico in two years, the Zapatista delegates walked out after 40 minutes accusing the legislators of racism and of attempting to humiliate them; his views on this development; if he has expressed his concern to the Mexican Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25582/98]
As I indicated in my reply on 30 September, I have been following the situation in Chiapas with concern. The Mexican authorities have been made aware of this concern, as well as our desire to see progress and continuing action to ensure the human rights of the people of Chiapas.
I am aware that over the weekend of 21 and 22 November, the EZLN, the Zapatista National Liberation Army, met the Concord and Pacification Commission (COCOPA), which is made up of representatives of all the main political parties in Mexico. I understand that, while the Zapatista representatives complained on the first day about the quality of the facilities provided for their delegation, meetings resumed on the second day. At that point, I am informed, the Zapatistas repeated the well-known preconditions for dialogue with the government.
While the meeting did not in itself move the negotiation process forward, reports indicate that the Zapatistas agreed to maintaining lines of communication through COCOPA and further meetings are possible. I welcome the prospect of further contacts amongst the participants in the future.
