from the Mexico Solidarity Network, Aug 5, 1998

The Leahy Sense of the Congress Resolution on Chiapas has not, as yet, been introduced in the Senate for a vote. Nevertheless, there has been a great deal of activity around the resolution. In late July, the Mexican government got wind of the pending resolution and mounted a furious lobbying and media campaign in Washington and Mexico. The resolution is of great concern to the Zedillo administration because it recognizes Mexico as a serious violator of basic human rights. It would establish the factual basis for introduction of future legislation to limit or cut off military aid, or to invoke trade sanctions.

The Leahy Resolution is the most important piece of legislation on Mexico since the passage of NAFTA in 1993, and it is the first piece of legislation that deals specifically with Chiapas. The resolution has gotten this far because of constituent pressure. To date, there are 14 co-sponsors in the Senate, not a sufficient number for the resolution to have a serious chance of passing. It will likely be introduced some time in September when Congress comes back into session. A parallel resolution will be introduced in the House on a similar time frame.

HR 611 and S 980 to Close the School of the Americas

The House bill currently has 148 co-sponsors, and it needs 32 more co-sponsors to force a vote. Without these additional co-sponsors, the bill may never come to the Hose floor for a vote. The Senate bill has 15 co-sponsors.

Actions

1. Set up a meeting with your representatives during the August 1 - Sept 7 recess. Your Reps will likely be in their home districts during this period. Invite community leaders, religious leaders and other influential people to join the delegation. See the accompanying suggestions for preparing a Congressional visit.
2. Organize a telephone campaign in your area. Call your representatives and encourage them to co-sponsor the Leahy Sense of the Congress Resolution on Chiapas, HR 611 and S 980. Calls should be made before September 15. The Congressional switchboard is 202-224-3121.
3. Send post cards to your representatives supporting the Leahy resolution. The National Commission for Democracy in Mexico is coordinating the postcard campaign. For copies of the postcards, contact the NCDM at 800-405-7770 or email.
4. Organize a candidate's forum on Mexico. Invite Senators and Congressmen/women who are up for re-election to participate in a public forum on Mexico. See the accompanying suggestions for organizing a candidate's forum.

• Leahy Sense of the Congress Resolution on Chiapas
• House Resolution 611 (S 980 is identical)
• Report from the Tri-National Delegation on current conditions in Chiapas
• Analysis prepared by the Washington Office on Latin America
• Report on the School of the Americas