President responds to demand by rebels in Chiapas. His move could mean new peace talks. Subcommander Marcos, the whimsical, pipe-smoking Zapatista leader, has said he would lead a delegation of 25 rebel commanders to Mexico City in February to argue for the legislation. Tuesday's move was Fox's second major step on the Chiapas issue.
Passage is by no means assured.
Some members of Fox's own center-right National Action Party, or PAN, have suggested that they might oppose the bill. Those indigenous peoples remain at the bottom of the social and economic ladder. The momentum in Mexico today is in favor of peace. In addition, the bill says indigenous judicial practices will be respected as long as they are consistent with the constitution. Under the bill, state governments would determine what functions Indian people would control and would make funds available to carry out those functions.