Surprise Zapatista Initiative May Jump-Start Peace Effort

A surprise initiative from Mexico’s Zapatista rebels has pumped new life into what has been a stalled drive to win peace in the state of Chiapas.

But political analysts said Monday that an end to the often bloody conflict appeared unlikely--at least until the nation’s presidential election in 2000.

They said problems ranging from tough rebel demands and deep mistrust to the guerrillas’ apparent aim to play a role in the election would probably prevent a definitive peace.

Still, needed movement began Sunday. The Zapatista National Liberation Army said that after a two-year hiatus, it wanted to renew contacts with federal lawmakers in Cocopa, a multiparty peace commission.

But it ruled out immediate face-to-face talks with the government of President Ernesto Zedillo, alleging that he was not interested in peace.

The initiative came after Zedillo reiterated his call earlier this month for the rebels to come to the negotiating table.

But analysts said Zedillo was unlikely to unilaterally concede to long-standing rebel prerequisites for dialogue, including the withdrawal of about 50,000 troops from Chiapas.

The mostly Maya rebels began an insurrection New Year’s Day 1994 in Chiapas, which borders Guatemala and is Mexico’s poorest state. At least 145 people died before the army pushed back the rebels to their Lacandon jungle bases.