The News Mexico
April 18, 2002
The News Staff

The Conciliation and Pacification Commission (Cocopa) on Wednesday urged the Interior Secretariat to intervene in the case of eight imprisoned Zapatistas in a new effort to ease tension between the rebels and the federal government.

According to Cocopa, the release of the prisoners is one of the conditions set forward by the National Liberation Zapatista Army(EZLN) before it considers returning to peace negotiations with the federal government.

Headed by their president, Fernando Perez Noriega, Cocopa members on Wednesday presented their request to Interior Secretary Santiago Creel, government news agency Notimex reported.

"It's time to take another step toward the signing of a pact guaranteeing definitive and fair peace (in Chiapas)." Perez Noriega said, adding Creel vowed to study the petition and give respond "soon."