Translation of message sent by EZLN published in La Jornada, Jan. 18, 1994
13 of January 1994
To Mr. Bill Clinton, President of the United States of North America
To the North American Congress
To the people of the United States of North America:
We are addressing ourselves to you directly to tell you that the Mexican federal government is using the economic and military aid that it receives from the people and the government of the United States of North America to massacre the indigenous people of Chiapas.
We ask whether the U. S. Congress and the people of the United States of North America approved this military and economic aid to fight drug traffic or to assasinate the Indians of southeast Mexico.
Troops, airplanes, helicopters, radar, communications equipment, arms and military paraphenalia are being used now not to fight drug traders and the big capos of the drug mafias, but to repress the just struggles of the people of Mexico and of the Indians of Chiapas in the southeastern part of our contry, and to assasinate men, women and innocent children.
We do not receive any aid from any foreign government, individual or organization. We have nothing to do with drug traffic or with national and international terrorism. We have organized oursevles voluntarily and our organization has its own life, because of the our great needs and problems. We are tired of so many years of deception and death. It is our right to fight in order to have life with dignity. At every moment we have observed the international laws of war and have respected the civilian population.
With the help that you the people and the government of North American have given to the Mexican federal government you are staining your hands with Indian blood. Our dream and desire is that of all the people of the world will have true liberty and democracy. And for this dream we are willing to give our lives. Do not stain your hands with our blood by allowing yourselves to be the accomplices of the Mexican government.
From the mountains of southeastern Mexico.
The Underground Revolutionary Indian Committee.
General Command of the Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional.
Mexico, January of 1994.