The Seven Tasks

Following a review and discussion of the results of the Consulta, the EZLN and civil society agreed to promote the following tasks:

1. - The State Coordinators shall become Contact Coordinators.

2. - The commitment to extend information at all levels about what happened at the Second Encuentro between Civil Society and the EZLN.

3. - The Contact Coordinators shall be a bridge between civil society and the EZLN.

4. - To broaden the bases of the Consulta, in order to support the struggles already going on in the country, for example, the student struggle at the UNAM, where they have been on strike for 25 days; the struggle of the Electricians Union against privatization of the electricity industry; and the commitment of everyone to join in this struggle and those that might arise.

5. - To establish an information network in all the states, and to provide links between themselves, in order to be able to promote actions in cases of repression against any person who is struggling to build a better Mexico.

6. - The invitation to participate in all political and cultural acts convened and held by the EZLN.

7. - To prepare for the Third Encuentro of Civil Society with the EZLN. And also that it would not be a bad idea for it to be held at the UNAM or at the Electricians Union in Mexico City.

At the Southern Gulf Table, Major Moisés set forth a few thoughts, saying: "We are giving this message to all of those who are here, and to those who could not come, please inform them, that you should be aware that working to achieve justice, democracy, liberty and to put this country in the lead, brings risks, and we want to know if you are willing to run them. Certainly there shall be deaths, repression, jailings, and everything we already know the bad government does. You need only think of January 12, 1994, at that great march in Mexico City, you said to us, sit down to dialogue with the government, put your weapons to one side, and we obeyed you. Now you have the commitment to sustain the long and difficult path of the struggle. We do not want you to take up arms with us, but, rather, together, we are going to change this country, these encuentros make it possible for us to do so." The response of the people was a moment of silence, and then everyone raised their hands, saying: "We are willing to take the risks with you, because ya basta with so much injustice, and, if we do not do it now, then when?"

The message is clear, but I believe there are internal challenges within this new social force that it is necessary to examine.

1. - There will be elections for governor in 2000, and 40 state deputies for Chiapas will be chosen. At the same time, the President of the Republic will be elected. Although civil society does not seek to take power, civil society in itself has power, and anyone can try to use it to their benefit. This is why the electoral situation is an important moment to take into consideration, because it means the repositioning of the different social forces. There is the risk that this force-in-progress will debate among themselves whether or not to participate in the elections, and therefore there is the risk that there could be internal ruptures.

If this new force manages to establish clear lines as to what it wants, and it opts to give its vote to whomever commits themselves to promoting those lines, then we will be speaking of a political force that decides to participate in this very important political process in the country.

2. - But if it does not participate, then it will have to put its rhythms and time into the building of a tactical program that will defend against the onslaught of the neo-liberal program. It has the challenge and need, however, to construct a new strategic program, that will be the kind of country we desire.

3. - The most important aspect of that new force is not in its debating whether or not to participate in elections, but rather in preparing itself to establish a new kind of relationship with the government that is elected, whomever it may be. The wealth of this movement is in its political plurality and the collectivity with which it has been working. This allows for the possibility of weaving a new kind of relationship among the different sectors of civil society, from which are emerging new values that give body and form to the new society. Collective work breaks with caudillismo, and it coordinates common interests.

4. - The challenge exists within this movement of joining different thoughts, religious beliefs, different political affiliations, be they social organizations, political parties, womens organizations, or any of the wide gamut of the social movement that is today seeking democratic change.

5. - Another challenge is establishing a plan of action where all social forces are joined, so that they can change the country's political climate. It is necessary to stop responding with short-term actions, and to organize strategic plans that will break the war strategy.

6. - It is necessary to be open, with the capacity to listen, in order to understand and comprehend others, in order to influence the requirements of the necessary democratic change.

7. - It is necessary to understand different work styles, the limits and abilities of each person's participation. It is necessary to recognize the efforts, however large or small they might be.

8. - This movement must maintain fluidity in its different currents of thought.

9. - It has the challenge of organizing itself on the basis of a new kind of structure, with the criteria of inclusion, with the participation of everyone, that is, lateral and not vertical.

10. - It is necessary to construct a network of national and international relationships, so that this movement does not remain isolated. The Mexican government does not pay much attention now to demonstrations by civil society in other countries concerning injustices which occur in Mexico. For this reason it is necessary to influence other country's governments, so that our country's government will adopt policies to meet the demands of the Mexican people and break with the political clientelismo that only favors the PRI.

11. - This movement needs to maintain its independence from the EZLN, from the political parties, from the churches, and avoid just one organization or group attempting to appropriate or direct it. The plurality that has characterized it can be the strength and basis for the building of a network of relationships among everyone, men and women, with new characteristics and ethical values. The coordination must indeed maintain contact with all organizations, including the EZLN, but it must build its own programs and initiatives.

SOME ETHICAL VALUES THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED

Fearing to make a mistake, but also without being taken as a prescription - rather as suggestions on what requires deeper reflection - it is necessary to consider the following values that should oil the motor of civil society:

1. - This social movement should be characterized by being purposeful and constructive, with the redefinition, and incorporation of, ethical and moral values, with those leading or directing being of good character, with the capacity for criticism and self-criticism, with humility and simplicity in their relationships with others.

2. - This movement has the need and opportunity to build a new political culture based on respect and tolerance.

3. - Honesty: If we criticize the government for being corrupt, economic resources must be managed within this space with the transparency necessary for overcoming mistrust. It must be an example of how we want the government to change.

4. - Promote Respect for Human Rights: Every time the army, the police and the police forces violate human rights, denunciations only occur at certain levels. In order to be constructive, it is necessary to promote programs, workshops, training in the defense and respect for the rights of everyone, including soldiers and police. In a sense, there is room for the soldiers who have complained about the violations of their labor and military rights. An example of this is those from the Patriotic Command for the Raising of the Peoples' Awareness. We cannot ask that human rights be respected, if they do not know what it is about. That is, the need to build a nonviolent culture.

5. - Equality and Inclusion: We have seen how the current government's programs and the neo-liberal programs are exclusionary. This movement must seek the participation of all men, women, boys and girls, as well as taking into consideration those sectors seeking to build a better world.

6. - Promoting the Culture of Peace: In the last forum, that was held this April in Chiapas, it was said that: "..we now see that the war comes from the government" The proposals, therefore, should be directed towards the building of peace, and, in order to begin, there must be an example among those participating in, and trying to build, this movement.

7. - Construction of Justice: Many of those unjustly imprisoned are there because they do not have the money to buy off the law and government officials, since they ask for money every step of the way. It is necessary for this space to begin to be just in the treatment of all the participants who make it up, but it is also necessary to do away with the irregularities and injustices that are committed within it.

8. - Construction of Dignity: This movement should not fall into the errors in which other social movements have fallen, where there have been co-optation and the buying of leaders, who then deliver the social movement to the highest bidder in exchange for money, programs, vehicles and blank checks. The fundamental problems of this country are not going to be resolved through feigning zapatista desertions, nor by delivering poultry, tractors and cattle. The roots of the problems are issues of democracy, liberty and justice, as common denominators of other problems in Mexico. It is necessary for society to be vigilant over the government, and to require of the government what it wants and needs.

9. - Construction of Democracy: Democracy is not just participation in elections, but, rather, participation by everyone in the building of the government we want. It allows us the opportunity to plan, design, execute and evaluate government plans and programs according to our needs.

10. - Promotion of Participation: In order to achieve what is wanted, it is necessary for everyone to participate. Therefore, all those sectors of goodwill must be called to and included, who are trying to build a new kind of country, more just and of a democratic nature.

11. - Liberty: In order to construct what is wanted and needed, an indispensable requisite is that of having sufficient liberty in order to express one's opinion, in order to organize, in order to propose, without fear of reprisals, of being mistreated or discriminated against because of the opinions and proposals generated.

12. - Respect for Persons' Identities: If lesbians, homosexuals, gays, indigenous, men, women, children, etcetera, are in this movement, everyone should have a place with the respect, affection, brotherhood and solidarity that we demand for ourselves, without fear of being discriminated against or isolated.

13. - Solidarity and Brotherhood: To feel the pain of others in any part of the country, or of the World, as our pain. To support each other and to give our hand to one another, whomever it may be, without the need to expect anything in return, other than the satisfaction of, and commitment to, promoting brotherhood and fraternity.

14. - Truth: In various places and spaces where democracy is trying to be built, it is said that the lie comes from the government through the media. This movement must conduct itself with truth, sincerity and honesty, and always be willing to accept that we could be wrong, and that sometimes we lie.

15. - Reconciliation: To always be aware that we cannot live all our lives fighting amongst ourselves. It is necessary to have the ability to forgive, to transform our attitudes in line with the building of a different world.

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