The communities to be affected have not been consulted, nor has the issue been raised in the negotiations with the EZLN (Zapatistas), despite the fact that their supporting communities' lands would be involved.
Chiapas and neighboring states include several important protected natural areas as well as thousands of Indian farmers with diverse agricultural and agroforestry traditions.
The life of the plantations would be only 30 years, after which these lands would be seriously degraded. If, however, the government followed through with the agreement which they signed with the Zapatistas one year ago to recognize Indian rights to "autonomy," (required under a UN treaty as well as by the Zapatista accords) they would have to recognize communities' right to reject the project.
In June of 1995, the government received a letter from Edward Krobacker, International Paper CEO (now John Dillon), establishing a series of conditions, some requiring changes in Mexico's forestry law, to "create a more secure legal framework" for IP's investment.
According to La Jornada, all of Krobaker's (original) demands were agreed to and new forestry legislation has been prepared. Upon returning from a Wall Street meeting with Henry Kissinger and other top financial celebrities, Zedillo announced the rejection of the proposed legislation to implement the Zapatista accords.
Instead he presented a counterproposal, designed to be unacceptable, which the Zapatistas rejected.
Shortly thereafter, Environmental Minister Carabias announced a large World Bank loan for "forestry," i.e. commercial plantations.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1998
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