Communiqué from the Underground General Committee of the EZLN
Mexico, 20 January 1994
"We want the steps of all those who walk truthfully to unite in a single step"
To all the democratic, honest and independent people, civil organisations and politicians of Mexico:
To the people and governments of the world:
The dignified struggle of the EZLN fighters has drawn the sympathy of many different people, organisations and socia sectors, both in Mexico and internationally. The honourable and resolute support from these progressive forces has been what has truly opened up the possibility of a just political solution to the conflict which fills our skies.
Neither the political will of the federal executive nor the glorious military actions of our fighters have been as effective as the various public demonstrations, in the streets, the mountain areas and the mass media, of the honest and independent organisations and people which form part of what is called Mexican civil society.
We, the most recent of Mexican citizens and the first of its patriots, have understood from the outset that our problems, and those of the whole country, can only be resolved through a national revolutionary movement based around three principal demands: liberty, democracy and justice
Our way of struggle is not the only one. Other forms of struggle exist and have great value. Our organisation is not the only one, and perhaps for many this would not be desirable. Other honest, progressive and independent organisations exist and also have great value. The EZLN has never intended that its form of struggle should be the only legitimate one. However, for us it is the only one left. The EZLN salutes the honest and important development of all forms of struggle which take the course which will lead all of us to freedom, democracy and justice. The EZLN has never intended that its organisation should be the only true, honest and revolutionary one in Mexico or Chiapas.
We organise ourselves as we do because it is the only form left to us. The EZLN salutes the honest and important development of all the independent and progressive organisations which struggle for freedom, democracy and justice for the whole nation. There are and will be other revolutionary organisations. There are and will be other popular armies. We do not intend to be the one, only and true historical vanguard. We do not intend to force under our
Zapatista banner all honest Mexicans, although we offer it.
There is a larger and more powerful banner under which we all can gather: the banner of a national revolutionary movement where different tendencies, ideas and forms of struggle can be accommodated, but the common desire is for freedom, democracy and justice.
The EZLN calls on all Mexicans to raise this banner, not the banner of the EZLN, nor that of armed struggle, but that of freedom, democracy and justice. Below this great banner will also be unfurled our Zapatista banner, below this great banner will also march our guns.
The struggle for liberty, democracy and justice is not only a task for the EZLN, but for all independent and progressive
Mexicans and honest, independent and progressive organisations, with their own form of struggle, organisation and ideas.
The steps of all those who walk truthfully should unite in a single step: that which leads to freedom, democracy and justice
Our struggle will go beyond the shout of "Enough!" on 1 January 1994. There is a long way to walk, but the different steps are for a united goal: Liberty! Democracy! Justicel
We will continue struggle until we achieve the freedom which is our right, the democracy which is our motivation and the justice which is our life!
International Viewpoint #253 February 1994
TO the people of Mexico:
Brothers and sisters:
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DOSSIER
SOUTH AFRICA