AUT: Fwd: Vermont Senate Passes Chiapas Resolution

[Montyneill <Montyneill@xxxxxxx>]

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From: vters4nica@xxxxxxx (Malcolm & Topper)
Subject: Vermont Senate Passes Chiapas Resolution
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Vermont Senate Passes Chiapas Resolution

On Friday, March 13th, the Vermont State Senate unanimously passed Joint
Resolution 44, calling for a suspension of U.S. military aid to Mexico
until there is progress in the peace process in Chiapas and evidence of
Mexican compliance with international human rights laws.  This followed a
hearing on Tuesday morning before the Senate Housing and General Affairs
Committee, which also passed the resolution unanimously.  House action is
expected next week.

The Tuesday hearing included testimony from individuals representing a
number of organizations, including the Vermont Chiapas Action Network,
American Friends Service Committee, Women's International League for Peace
and Freedom, the Benedictine Monks of the Weston, Vt. Priory, the Vermont
Teamsters' Union, Resistant Strains, and the University of Vermont.  VCAN
presented nearly 800 signatures of Vermonters in support of the resolution,
and presented evidence, including video footage, that U.S. military
equipment is being used to suppress communities of indigenous Mayan people
in Chiapas.  Much of this equipment is diverted from the so-called "War on
Drugs," and is in direct violation of Vt. Senator Patrick Leahy's amendment
to the 1997 U.S. Appropriations Act for Foreign Operations.

For more information, contact VCAN at vters4nica@xxxxxxxx


       State of Vermont
        Joint Senate Resolution

J.R.S. 44. Joint resolution relating to the Mexican State of Chiapas

        Whereas, the people and government of the United States support, as
a matter of principle, the peaceful struggle for democracy throughout the
world, and
        Whereas, the indigenous people of the Mexican State of Chiapas
have clearly and peacefully demonstrated a desire for economic and social
justice, as well as political democracy in Mexico, and
        Whereas, the Mexican government now refuses to recognize the
Indigenous Rights agreement, which it signed in 1996 with the Mexican State
of Chiapas, and
        Whereas, the Mexican government has militarized Chiapas and has
been accused of serious human rights abuses against the people of Chiapas,
and
        Whereas, the indigenous people of Chiapas have agreed to peace
accords negotiated with the Mexican government and have clearly shown their
willingness to achieve a peaceful resolution, which includes democracy,
dignity, and justice, and
        Whereas, the 1997 U.S. Appropriations Act for Foreign Operations
prohibits the use of funds for international narcotics control by security
force units accused of human rights violations, and
        Whereas, U.S. military aid sent to Mexico to combat drugs is being
used against indigenous communities in Chiapas which are not involved in
drug trafficking, and
        Whereas, The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives last year
passed resolutions criticizing the Mexican government for its complicity in
narcotics trafficking, and
        Whereas, the people and government of the United States have a
responsibility to back up their words and principles with appropriate
action, now therefore be it

        RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

That all military support for the Mexican government be suspended unless,
and until, there is significant documented progress in the peace process in
Chiapas, as well as full compliance with international human rights laws,
and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this
resolution to the President of the United States of America, the President
of the United States of Mexico, and to each member of the Vermont
Congressional delegation.




"Contrary to popular belief, conventional wisdom would have one believe
that it is insane to resist this, the mightiest of empires.... But what
history really shows is that today's empire is tomorrow's ashes, that
nothing lasts forever, and that to not resist is to acquiesce in your own
oppression. The greatest form of sanity that anyone can exercise is to
resist that force that is trying to repress, oppress, and fight down the
human spirit."
                                                        - Mumia Abu-Jamal




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