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AMERICAS (continued)
Protests Try Government's Patience
Zapatista Nalional Liberation Army (EZLN) rebels yesterday briefly occupied two radio stations to denounce prison sentences recently given to two alleged EZLN members and publicly threatened additional takeovers. Press reportsongressional committee that is helping facilitate the Chiapas peace process is trying toegal or political formula lor overturning the controversial judgments. Government tolerance for Zapatista posturing appears to have worn thin, however.
Secretary of Government Chuayffet warned the Zapatistas that carrying out their threat to withdraw from peace talks would nullify the amnesty law prohibiting the arrest of EZLN leaders still at large, including rebel chief Marcos.
Further EZLN high-profile protests may discourage Mexico City from appearing to yield to Zapatista pressure, and clashes between government troops and rehel demonstrators would increase Ihe chances lhat peace talks will be delayed or suspended.
The militarily weak EZLN, however, will hesitate to withdraw formally from the talks and risk provoking more aggressive government action!
K May IW6
Original document.
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