Mexican church attempts to mediate Oaxaca crisis seem to have failed

Published: 2006-11-07

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- As the crisis in the embattled southern Mexican state of Oaxaca deepened, church attempts to mediate a solution to the conflict appear to have failed. Oaxaca Archbishop Jose Chavez Botello acknowledged Nov. 5 that the conditions for dialogue did not exist. The same day, 20,000 protesters marched through the city to demand the Oaxaca governor step down and federal police pull out. "It would seem that perverse personal and group interests are hindering a solution to the Oaxaca problem," Archbishop Chavez said at a press conference. He reiterated his offer to mediate talks. The same day, the archbishop and seven other area bishops signed a statement calling for an end to all violence stemming from the conflict. They criticized the government as well as the protesting teachers and activist groups for failing to come to an agreement. "We exhort all of the social and political actors involved to find real solutions with urgency and honesty," the statement read.

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