Uncle Octo's Latin American News

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Well, I'm not translating any of this.

Anybody interested do your homework and learn spanish!

http://www.prensarural.org/spip/spip.php?article810

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http://www.narconews.com/Issue47/article2846.html

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“Plan Mexico” Claims its First Victims in the Murky Floodwaters of Tabasco
With an Entire State Under Water, Calderón Has Troops Searching Cars for Drugs Instead of Helping


By Greg Berger
Special to The Narco News Bulletin
November 1, 2007

Villahermosa, the capital of Tabasco State, is currently underwater. The heaviest rains in memory have thrust the waters of at least seven rivers in the State above their banks. In many neighborhoods in the capital, rooftops are the only thing peeking out of the flooded waters from the Grijalva river, and in other barrios houses have sunk completely below the depths. Just like we saw in New Orleans in the days following Hurricane Katrina, countless lives have surely been swallowed by the muddy waters.

But just like the tragedy that struck in Louisiana, this disaster is not entirely natural. It is a tragic natural occurrence whose effects might have been mitigated if not for a Mexican government so dangerously prostrate to the Bush administration, that it signed away its most basic responsibilities to its citizens by agreeing to a 1.4 billion dollar package from the U.S. to “fight drugs” that has been dubbed “Plan Mexico.”

What, you may ask, is the connection between Plan Mexico and the heavy rainfall in the Mexican Southeast?

Mexico’s military has, in recent years, been deployed during natural disasters to assist in relief and recovery efforts, as in the aftermath of the eruption of Popocatepetl volcano in 2000. The practice is controversial, since the army has long been associated with human rights violations. Many people, especially in poor, rural, and indigenous Mexico mistrust their presence. But in recent years, authorities had taken note of this and begun to deploy soldiers without guns. Though by no means an indication of a “kinder gentler military” – the army continues to abuse its citizens – the use of soldiers during disasters provided a glimpse of what a Mexican government truly willing to serve its people might look like.

Then Felipe Calderón came to power amid credible allegations of electoral fraud, and the “soft” facade of the “kinder, gentler” Mexican military disappeared.

Virtually from his first days in office, Calderón deployed the army throughout rural Mexico to “fight drug trafficking.” This has essentially meant sending heavily armed soldiers to patrol dense urban areas throughout the country, from Tijuana to Cuernavaca to Morelia, while simultaneously setting up military checkpoints throughout the countryside where vehicles are illegally stopped and searched. This absurd initiative has not curbed the flow of drugs, and violent drug-related crime has actually increased since the program began. What has happened though, is increased harassment and abuse of innocent Mexican citizens. In eerie resemblance to the behavior of the U.S. army in Iraq, Mexican soldiers shot dead five family members including three children in Sinaloa state last June when they failed to slow down for one of Calderón’s checkpoints.

Many critics believe that the project is in fact a convenient cover to redeploy soldiers to regions of potential social upheaval, such as Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Michoacan. During last year’s civilian uprising in Oaxaca, for example, it was in this state that citizens formed the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Michoacan, modeled after the APPO in Oaxaca. When it seemed as though the Oaxacan uprising might spread, Michoacan seemed a likely place for the struggle to continue. Curiously, Michoacan was the first State to which Calderon deployed troops “to fight the drug war” once in office.

The project was applauded by the U.S. government from the beginning, and led to an agreement between Bush and Calderon this very week to provide 1.4 billion dollars from the U.S. to Mexico to continue the program. The project is already being dubbed “Plan México” in the press, in reference to “Plan Colombia,” the devastating military aid package given to Colombia which has provided resources to a brutal military that works together with right-wing death squads, and irreparably scarred the countryside by indiscriminately blanketing hundreds of thousands of acres with toxic herbicides. “Plan Mexico,” the first anti-drug collaboration program of a similar scale to be proposed since, was approved by Calderon without his consulting Mexico’s congress, let alone seeking a vote of approval.

What does all this have to do with Tabasco’s flood? Tabasco Governor Andres Granier made the rounds of TV and radio outlets lamenting the lack of manpower to help in evacuation, rescue and assistance efforts. Specifically, he decried the fact that only 5,000 soldiers have been sent to the state (which is now 80 percent covered in water) whereas in 1999 when the last flooding event occurred, 20,000 troops were sent in, although the crisis was much less severe. Why isn’t the federal government deploying troops to Tabasco? Because they are far flung throughout the countryside, away from their barracks, on a wild goose chase to catch the drug kingpins that cynical President Calderon knows they will never find – since in many cases they are protected by the politicians and military officers supposedly trying to catch them.

The use of soldiers in disaster response is controversial, and could arguably never truly work. But nevertheless it’s the best large-scale human resource the Mexican State has at its immediate disposal, and that manpower is being sadly squandered as Tabasqueños drown and starve. Rescue workers are confronting chaos in Tabasco as they pull terrified children from the rooftops of their inundated homes. Local authorities’ resources are stretched far beyond their capacity, and they are in desperate need of help. 15,000 extra pairs of hands would save many, many lives. Instead, the soldiers that could be there are busy ripping apart the contents of the pickup trucks of poor Indians at checkpoints in Chihuahua, as their superior officers cavort with the real drug traffickers.

That’s why it is true and correct to say that on this eve of Dia de Muertos, when Mexicans across the country prepare to honor the spirits of their deceased family members, Plan Mexico is claiming its first victims.

1.4 billion dollars destined for Plan Mexico. It’s an astounding sum. Is it more than just a futile exercise to imagine what those resources might do in months to come for the indigenous people, the campesinos, the low-paid oil workers, and the rest of the Tabasqueños who have now lost the remainder of what little they owned in life? People in the United States contemplated the same issues as the Blackwater corporation’s mercenaries pissed away the resources that could have saved lives in New Orleans after Katrina. What could be a more illustrative example of the willingness with which Mexico’s current leaders have allowed the United States to shape its domestic priorities?

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Mohawk Women Title Holders: Indigenous Peoples' right of mobility at artificial borders
Por Brenda Norrell,
Publicado en Tue Oct 30th, 2007 a las 12:19:33 AM EST
Mohawk Women Title Holders released a statement on Indigenous rights of mobility in ancestral territories, which will be presented at the Indigenous Peoples' Border Summit of the Americas, Nov. 7 - 10, 2007.
Speaking out against terror and torture, the Women Title Holders called on great nations to seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts. Rejecting artificial borders, the Women Title Holders said the Haudenosaunee were never conquered and remain free and sovereign people.

Further, the Women Title Holders said the "Haudenosaunee," Six Nations, of Onowaregeh are, according to the Two Row Wampum Agreement, free to pass and re-pass in their lands and to carry on trade and commerce with each other.


From the Mohawk Women Title Holders:
The following position on the Border Issue is being presented by the Mohawk Women Title Holders on November 7, 2007 at the "Indigenous Peoples Border Summit of the Americas" at Tohono O'odham Nation which is claimed by foreign entities known as Mexico and the U.S. The corporate colonial franchises known as "Canada", "U.S." and "Mexico" are trying to illegally place physical and destructive restrictions on our movements over our ancestral lands. The Women Title Holder intend to serve notice to these immigrants and the world community that we refuse to tolerate it. Comments appreciated MNN Mohawk Nation News http://www.mohawknationnews.com/

NOTICE FROM:

The Kohtihon’tia:kwenio of the Kanion’ke:haka - Women Title Holders of the Mohawk Nation of the Rotino’shonninwe (Iroquois)

November 7, 2007

TO: The Invaders of North, Central and South America, all their criminal agencies and departments, their international terrorist allies and the useless members of the United Nations;

RE: Freedom of Rotino’shonninwe to traverse throughout Indigenous lands known as Onowaregeh, Turtle Island of the “ Western Hemisphere ” and beyond without hindrance from the invading aliens and their agents;

PRESENTED AT:

The Indigenous Peoples Border Summit of the Americas ,
San Xavier Community Center, 2018 West San Xavier Road, Tohono O’odham Nation whose territory is claimed by Mexico and the United States.

PREAMBLE:

Our land is who we are. We can never forfeit ourselves or our land as we are part of Creation on in these lands known as the “Western Hemisphere”, which includes North, Central and South America . We were never conquered by anybody. We survived outright murder, chemical and germ warfare, starvation, genocide by statute, lies and ignorance committed by fabricated colonial nations that are squatting on our Indigenous lands. Canada, United States, Mexico and all the other colonists are fictitious “nations”. They are corporate “franchises” of Europe , not governments. They do not and can never have title to our land. Only we, the original Title Holders, have sovereign authority.

WAMPUM 44 –
GREAT LAW OF PEACE, KAIANEREH’KO:WA

According to Wampum 44 of our law, the Kaianereh’ko:wa, the Great Law of Peace, we, the Kohtihon’tia:kwenio - Women Title Holders - are the caretakers of the land, water and air of “Onowaregeh” [Turtle Island]; and as trustees, our obligation is to preserve and protect the land for the future generations.

a)WHEREAS the Two Row Wampum Agreement and Wampum 58 of the Kaianereh’ko:wa, Great Law of Peace, stipulate that no one shall restrict our freedom of passage on our lands we call Onowaregeh and beyond; we will always reject these artificial borders that were created by the capitalist corporations known as “Canada”, “United States” and “Mexico” which are meant to illegally divide up lands and resources stolen from the Indigenous peoples; and we, the original people, will continue to make agreements and alliances among our nations as we see fit and as we have done since time immemorial.

b)WHEREAS regarding the northeastern area of Onowaregeh, the Kohtihon’tia:kwenio give notice that we reject the attempt by the colonists to make unlawful restrictions on our freedom of passage on our territory and beyond.

c)WHEREAS respect for our rights is entrenched in the constitutions of Canada and the United States .

d)WHEREAS the Charter of the United Nations requires respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples; and its members have signed a commitment to resolve differences peacefully without using force.

e)WHEREAS Canada, the United States and Mexico have ascribed to the internationally recognized standards for respecting political rights of the People as set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide, United Nations Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other international legal instruments.

f)WHEREAS General Assembly Resolution 1541 (XV) requires the informed consent of the people before they are included in another state; and the international Court of Justice affirmed this Resolution in the Western Sahara case.

g)WHEREAS according to article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Sections 1 and 2, every nation has a right to its nationality; and no nation can change another nation’s identity by imposing legislation to restrict travel, trade and commerce which must be unhindered throughout our original pre-contact territories.

h)WHEREAS international law is committed to affirming the equal and inalienable rights of all peoples.

i)WHEREAS Canada, the United States, Mexico and all other colonial states must abide by the international law principles that there can be no arbitrary encroachment on Indigenous peoples; ignoring the true Indigenous people is now universally recognized as illegal; independent Indigenous people’s rights must be respected and heeded; and our perspectives on the issues must not be ignored;

j)WHEREAS the Indigenous peoples have our own constitutions, we cannot be arbitrarily turned into Canadian, American or Mexican citizens without our knowledge or consent; and we cannot be governed by foreign laws that have been arbitrarily imposed without our consent.

k)WHEREAS foreign nations that have invaded our territory cannot restrict our movements and make unlawful demands for us to carry foreign passports and other forms of alien identity; we have made agreements and means by which to traverse the lands of our Indigenous allies; and we have a form of identification, the “Red Card”, which are issued to us under our constitution, the Kaianereh’ko:wa. The “Haudenosaunee Passport” is for travel outside of Onowaregeh.

l)WHEREAS the “Red Card” and the “Haudenosaunee Passport” identifies that a person is a “Haudenosaunee”, Six Nations, of Onowaregeh; according to the Two Row Wampum Agreement we are free to pass and re-pass by land or inland navigation or by air onto our territories; we are free to continue to carry on trade and commerce with each other; it is illegal for taxes, duties or any fees whatsoever to be extracted from us by any foreigners; we are free to hunt and fish anywhere on our territory; and we shall have free passage over all toll roads and bridges that have been built on Onowaregeh.

m)WHEREAS the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides that every human being has the inherent right to life and fundamental freedom; no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life or freedom; we demand that the United States stop the practice of murdering and detaining our people for crossing their illegally imposed economic border; this contravenes the internationally recognized principles of fundamental justice; life is sacred; and no product of the human imagination can justify these systemic detentions and murders. Human life may not be sacred to the invaders, but it is to us.

n)WHEREAS the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People has been adopted by a majority of 144 states; international law has affirmed that all Indigenous peoples are to be treated as equals to all other peoples; and we accordingly claim our right to the full enjoyment as collectives and as individuals to all the human rights and fundamental freedoms that have been recognized in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international law, including the right to self-determination and the right to self-government in all our affairs without being subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of our culture.

o)WHEREAS states are required to provide redress for violations of our rights through effective mechanisms; we hereby notify Canada, United States and Mexico that their citizens have been violating our rights; we demand they disarm and stop them from detaining and shooting us; we demand that they stop harassing and charging us in their illegally imposed judicial system; and should they have any issues with us, they must bring their complaints to the legal representatives of our traditional governments.

p)WHEREAS we are aware that torture is an intentional act that is premeditated, systemic and scientific which is meant to break down our dignity, our social fabric and foment terror within our people; and these detentions are illegal and violations of fundamental human rights.

q)WHEREAS most of us have been subjected to illegal “puppet” tribal and band councils imposed by foreign colonial states, we demand that the colonizing states disband their puppet entities and restore proper diplomatic relations with our inherent traditional governments.

WE, THE KOHTIHON’TIA:KWENIO SEEK TO INFORM YOU THAT THIS IS FULL AND FAIR NOTICE THAT:

Canada, United States, Mexico and other colonial franchises must cease and desist their attempts to violate our authority; that they must deal with us on a nation-to-nation basis as required under both our law and international law; that any individual or foreign entity wishing to discuss any issues between our nations must provide full information through proper diplomatic channels, which are the Governor General of Canada and the Presidents of the United States and Mexico, who have a duty to inform us.

We, the Kohtihon’tia:kwenio, brought this matter to the attention of Canada in an action in the Supreme Court of Canada – Kanion’ke:haka Kaianereh’ko:wa Kanon’ses:neh v. Attorney General of Canada and Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontarion, Court File: 05-CV-030785.

We, the Kohtihon’tia:kwenio, brought this constitutional jurisdiction issue before the U.S. Supreme Court. See No. 05-165: 2005. In the Supreme Court of the United States in re: Kanion’ke:haka Kaianereh’ko:wa Kanon’ses:ne, Non-party, Petitioner/Movant/Appellant, The Canadian St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians, Plaintiffs, Respondents v. The State of New York , Defendants, Respondents. Petition for Writs of Certiorari and Quo Warranto with Prohibition and Mandamus in Aid to Prevent Genocide. Rules 17.1 and 20.1.

FOR THE ABOVE REASONS, WE, THE KOHTIHON’TIA:KWENIO, AS MEMBERS OF THE ROTINO’SHONNI:ONWE – IN ORDER TO PROTECT OUR PHYSICAL INTEGRITY AND LEGAL RIGHTS – SAY AS FOLLOWS:

i)The Women Title Holders of the Rotino’shonninwe does not tolerate the violations of our constitution, ancient customs, traditions and agreements by Canada, U.S., Mexico or any franchises, corporations and agents violating our inherent rights by encroaching on our land.

ii)Murder and torture have no place in either internal or international relations of any peoples. It is a violation of the Great Law which is the first and only law of the Western Hemisphere .

iii) We invite Canada, the U.S. and Mexico to put away their guns and weaponry so we can resolve our differences in a mature and peaceful way, by rediscovering and brightening the spirit of the Two Row Wampum and the Covenant Chain that began our peaceful international relationship centuries ago.

iv)Should Canada , U.S. and Mexico continue to breach our rights, we shall take the necessary measures available to us in the international arena to correct the injustices that have been committed against us.

v)It has never been acceptable to abuse people on the basis of race, religion, nationality, belief or membership in a particular social group. We invite all members of the colonizing societies to become partners with us to end the cycle of abuse, stop the illegal criminalization of our people and extend dignity, equality and a voice to all peoples.

KOHTIHON’TIA:KWENIO, the Women Title Holders of the Kanion’ke:haka of the Rotino’shonninwe:

Katenies
Kahentinetha

Contact: P.O. Box 991 , Kahnawake of Mohawk territory [ Quebec , Canada ] J0L 1B0, kahentinetha2@yahoo.com katenies20@yahoo.com
Mohawk Nation News