Mexican Rebels Agree to Talks

Southern Mexico’s Indian rebels agreed Tuesday to peace talks with the government, a month after their uprising began.

“The conditions for negotiations have been met,” stated a two-page statement distributed to local media and signed by “Subcommander Marcos,” the name that has appeared on all communications from the rebels. The statement did not specify a time or place for the talks.

Government peace negotiator Manuel Camacho Solis characterized the communication as “an important advance.”

In previous communiques, channeled through Samuel Ruiz, bishop of the city of San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas state and a noted Indian rights activist, the rebels had said they would be willing to talk only after:

* The army observed the cease-fire declared by the government on Jan. 10.

* Camacho publicly recognized the Zapatista National Liberation Army, as they call themselves.

* Ruiz was named mediator.

In addition to meeting those conditions, the government has declared a general amnesty for all those involved in the conflict, which started New Year’s Day when rebels took control of four county seats in Chiapas, on the border with Guatemala.

Over the weekend, 38 Indians held by the state government on charges related to the conflict were released on bail paid by the state.

Democratic reforms and Indian rights are among the reasons the guerrillas, thought to number about 2,000, have given for their rebellion, which has claimed more than 100 lives.