Excerpts from report by the Mexican news agency Notimex

Mexico City, 3rd January: Today, Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo referred to the country's democratic development, public security and the situation in the state of Chiapas as the main tasks of new Government Secretary [interior minister] Francisco Labastida Ochoa.

New Interior Minister Labastida Ochoa

On Saturday [3rd January], Zedillo appointed Labastida Ochoa, formerly the secretary of agriculture, livestock and rural development, as the new government secretary, replacing Emilio Chuayffet Chemor.

During a television broadcast in which the three officials appeared, Zedillo mentioned the three key topics, in addition to public security, of the new government secretary [sentence as received]...

The president said: "I have asked Labastida for a short-term and a medium-term programme, which must be prepared quickly to meet the very serious problem of crime and insecurity being faced by our country." ...

A mural of Emiliano Zapata, founder of the Zapatista movement

Regarding Chiapas, he emphasized his government's commitment "to work with the local authorities, the communities and the leaders of political and social organizations to create the conditions of harmony, progress and social justice being rightfully demanded by the residents of Chiapas."

The Mexican president showed special concern over the situation being experienced by "our Indian brothers and sisters"...

In his message on Saturday, President Zedillo said he had instructed the new government secretary to propose a new strategy in Chiapas after carrying out the pertinent consultations.

"This strategy should be based on dialogue and an honest search for a higher standard of living for the communities that suffer poverty and marginalization," he added...

President Zedillo

Zedillo thanked Chuayffet because, "with firm conviction, he has devoted his best efforts as government secretary to make possible the new democracy that is beginning to be consolidated in the country".

Zedillo said that Chuayffet, who was sworn in in June 1995, resigned for "personal reasons".

In turn, Chuayffet thanked the president for his "generosity and warmth". Chuayffet underlined the president's honesty and moral authority, and said that Zedillo had effected a "great political transformation" despite the country's problems...

Source: Notimex news agency, Mexico City, in Spanish 2021 gmt 3 Jan 98

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