The plebiscite is a form of dialogue. The dialogue is possible amongst those who treat one another with respect, who recognize one another. Isolated and persecuted, with thousands of indigenous people as hostages of the occupation army, reduced to the category of a group of criminals, the EZLN again offers a bridge of hope to the people of Mexico and to the peoples of the world that recognize in our struggle their own: the struggle for democracy, liberty and justice. First.- The EZLN has taken the intiative of the national plebiscite, as another demonstration of its will to solve the conflict by political means. Far from recurring to the argument of weapons, the EZLN has insisted on recurring to ialogue to seek a transition to democracy in Mexico. The democratization of the country is the only possible way to get out of the political, economic and social crisis that is overwhelming the country. The national plebiscite is the ratification of the EZLN's commitment to a peace with justice and dignity. Second.- Amidst the evident signs of the transition to fascism, all of them stemming from the system of the party-state, the EZLN reiterates its call for an effort involving the democratizing forces, which encompass all of the political and social spectrum of Mexico, in order to achieve the profound changes that are needed. An important part of this effort for democratic change is dialogue among the distinct social and political forces. The national plebiscite is part of this effort and part of the national dialogue. Third.- A new political culture is emerging in Mexico, no coming from the government or the political parties or even the EZLN. A great popular movement, with a varied social composition, has been born. This broad movement is the birthplace of this new culture. We are not inventing anything, we are uniting ourselves to this culture. The national plebiscite is a demonstration of our willingness to learn. Fourth.- We have directed ourselves to an entire country to ask Mexicans their thoughts about the principal problems of the country, about the ways to overcome them, about the future of the EZLN and about the recognition that Mexican women deserve. The national plebiscite called for by the EZLN is for democracy. Fifth.- The EZLN has committed itself already, since issuing the call, to listen to the voice of the people of Mexico in the plebiscite and to go forward, as a result, in agreement with its results. The national plebiscite will define the direction of the EZLN. Sixth.- To the government's violence, the EZLN responded with the dialogue. To the government's intolerance, the EZLN responded with calls for inclusion. To the government's war, the EZLN responded with a search for a peace with justice and dignity. The national plebiscite is the reiteration of the obvious: the commitment to peace is on the side of the EZLN, the interest in war is on the side of the government. With respect we direct ourselves to all the social sectors which make up the Mexican nation to ask them to participate in this effort for peace and democracy, to ask them to express their opinion about the six questions, to ask them to construct the peace with justice and dignity that we Mexicans deserve, to ask them to struggle for democracy, liberty and justice. Brothers and Sisters: From a little corner of the world called Chiapas. in the southeastern part of Mexico, on the first of January of 1994, an indigenous movement surged that has transcended borders and touched hearts the world over. The Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), made up of mostly Indians, has said: Enough! No more injustice and oppression for our people. The Mexican government has left them no other option than that of taking up weapons to defend themselves. For centuries they have struggled for their rights, but they have not been heard. Instead they have been continually persecuted, assassinated, exploited, and humiliated. In Mexico we have the wealth of fifty-six ethnic groups. Living cultures with differing languages and organizations. The majority of Mexicans are mestisos and in our veins flows Indian blood. Proud of our origin, we mestisos are rescuing our roots. We have listened with our hearts and heard the call of the Indians that are clamoring for peace with justice and dignity for all Mexicans. The terrible face of war can be seen peeking, through the mountains of the southeastern part of Mexico. It walks between the thatched roofed houses of the villages, women and children. Determined to stop it in its tracks, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation has dialoged with the Mexican government to search for a peaceful solution to its just demands. Now the EZLN has launched a new initiative: a national and international plebiscite. Six questions that have to do with the future of the EZLN and the struggle of the Mexican people who are searching for a transition towards democracy. The sixteen demands referred to in the first of the six questions are the same demands shared by indigenous and non indigenous peoples of the world. The EZLN's call for a plebiscite is unprecedented. It is the call of the Indians that for centuries have been persecuted and forgotten. The, self named, faceless ones. Now they are giving us the example of how to construct democracy, they are the ones showing us the way towards a Mexico that will be just and free. They have made us recuperate our faith and hope in order to construct a better world. In them we have placed our hope for the future. The peoples that want to be free should join in solidarity and action to struggle against this new world order which is being imposed on us as neoliberalism. We are sure that you as an organization, and as indigenous peoples will understand this call, and feel it in your heart because you are also living the persecution and attempts to exterminate your nations. We call on you to join with us in this International Plebiscite called for by the EZLN. We call on you to not leave us alone, to struggle with us for justice, liberty, and democracy, not only for the Indians of Mexico, but for all the indigenous peoples of the world. The results of this plebiscite will influence the future of the EZLN and that of the Mexican people. The opinions and solidarity of the world are important factors in this Plebiscite, which seeks to stop the realities of war and finish off with the centuries of injustice and oppression that have permanently affected the indigenous people. We are Mexicans and we have a national proposal: to struggle for; and achieve, democracy, liberty and justice for all the men and women of this country. We are here to say that we are human beings and we have a world-wide proposal: a new international order based on, and ruled by, democracy, liberty, and justice. 1. Do you agree that the principal demands of the Mexican people are land, housing, jobs, food, health, education, culture, information, independence, democracy, liberty, justice, peace, security, combat of corruption, and defense of the environment? 2. Should the different democratizing forces in Mexico unite in a citizens broad-based political and social opposition front and struggle for the 16 principal demands listed in question number 1. 3. Should Mexicans carry out a profound political reform which would guarantee democracy? (Respect for the vote, reliable voter registration, impartial and autonomous electoral organizations, guarantee the participation of citizens, including those not members of political parties, as well as non-governmental organizations, recognition of all the political forces, be they national, regional or local) 4. Should the EZLN convert itself in a new and independent political force, without joining other political organizations? 5. Should the EZLN join with other organizations and together form a new political organization? 6. Should the presence and equal participation Of women be guaranteed in all positions of representation and responsibility in civil organizations and in the government?