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Conspiracy Nation Vol. 09 Num. 20
Conspiracy Nation -- Vol. 9 Num. 20
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("Quid coniuratio est?")
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"PAN" CALLS FOR NATIONAL GUARD
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(*La Jornada*, 9/18/96)
[Translation by Conspiracy Nation]
The PAN [opposition political party] faction in the [Mexican]
Senate proposed yesterday that the federal Executive branch
organize and put into operation the National Guard, as
established by the Constitution, to avoid "the excessive use of
the Army," the growing militarization of the nation and "the risk
of the military going beyond the limits which the law
specifically confers on them."
Headed by their co-ordinator, Gabriel Jimenez Remus, the
legislators demanded the appearance of the Secretary of National
Defense, Enrique Cervantes Aguirre, in order to probe into
current militarization and acquisition of armaments. The
precondition, he said, is that absolute reserve, discretion and
prudence would be observed in areas of national security and
State secrets.
Juan de Dios Castro, jurist and senator from Durango, stressed
that the risks of this militarization are beyond doubt:
"Violation of civil liberties. For starters, the right to freely
travel; excessive proliferation of goods; disquiet amongst the
population which provokes instability, which in turn affects the
economy."
The legislator explained that the formation of the National Guard
is provided for in the Constitution and that it is the function
of the Congress to expedite the law which regulates the activity
of that body. To form the National Guard, he added, does not
imply the addition of yet another security force, although there
is a risk of that if its use remains permanent. When it has been
created in other nations, it is only during emergency situations
such as that in which we now live.
Norberto Corella, senator from Baja California, said that in the
recent appearance by the Secretary of Government, Emilio
Chuayffet, in the Chamber of Deputies, the idea of the National
Guard was first suggested yet Chuayffet was against it, arguing
that calling up the National Guard was only to be done in an
"emergency" situation. The emergency exists, added Corella,
since the guerrilla problem is ongoing and there are increasing
complaints from the citizenry about the militarization of police
forces. In that context, added Corella, new military weaponry
displayed during the parade this past September 16th should not
be overlooked.
Senator Corella asked how it was possible that the Secretary of
Defense had not yet appeared before Congress, given the current
unrest. He likewise launched a strong criticism against the
Senate Defense Commission, which -- he asserted -- has no
understanding of what is happening in the Mexican Army.
Referring to Chuayffet's comments, Juan de Dios Castro pointed
out that who determines what is an emergency situation is not
Chuayffet but the law. And as the said law does not exist it is
necessary to elaborate it. To that, Senator Jimenez Remos added
that if that is not possible then the legislators ought to revoke
section XV of article 73 of the Constitution, which refers to the
creation of the National Guard.
The senator from Durango (Juan de Dios Castro) added that
President Zedillo was "extremely sparse" in his Report of
Government with respect to the guerrilla groups operating in
Mexico. Responding to reporters, Senator Castro said that the
militarization would be understandable if the Secretary of
Government made available information regarding the level,
severity, and reach of the guerrillas.
"The problem is that he give us the information so we can
understand the level in which the federal Executive is deploying
the Army in order to safeguard internal security," he said.
Jimenez Remos on his part pointed out that, in case of emergency,
the PAN faction in the Senate would support a proposal by the
Executive to call up the National Guard. The National Guard, he
said, would not function 365 days a year. Its composition would
be subject to civil control and its members would be persons
having superior training to that of the police.
In the press conference, the PAN senators referred to the content
of the recent Report of Government and to the appearances of
Secretaries of State before the Congress. Jimenez Remus opined
that President Zedillo, "omitted many areas," especially
regarding his position on the needed re-structuring of the system
of wealth distribution.
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Aperi os tuum, decerne quod justum est, et judica inopem et
pauperem. -- Liber Proverbiorum XXXI: 8-9
