1996-12-05 Local Press
Article Index
Summary of Local Press Clippings from Mexico
December 5, 1996, Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc.
The actions of the Electoral Tribunal, concerning the PRI's representation in the Congress of the State of Mexico are particularly noteworthy.
DEMOCRACY
Lozano Fired, Madraro Steps In
On Monday, December 2, President Zedillo fired Attorney General Antonio Lozano and replaced him with the head of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), Jorge Madrazo. Lozano, who had come from the National Action Party (PAN) to join Zedillo's government two years ago, was facing increasing pressure and criticism for his handling of the investigations into high level political murders in 1994. Along with him, the Special Prosecutor in the Ruiz Massieu murder case and other PAN collaborators were also removed.
The removal of Lozano comes just days after his interrogation of Carlos Salinas de Gortari in the Mexican Embassy in Ireland (see below). In addition. during the past week, accusations were made (and later retracted) that Lozano was keeping pertinent information about the murder cases from President Zedillo. In his instructions to the new Attorney General (who was named to the CNDH by Carlos Salinas), Zedillo said that he should prosecute crimes "without regard for economic power or the political position of those who are under suspicion," insinuating that Lozano was weak in this regard. Nevertheless, official explanations of the removal were not forthcoming. Some believe it was the result of a string of failures on the part of the Attorney General's office (including widespread suspicion that the cadaver found on Paul Salinas' ranch a month ago was planted there). Others say that Lozano was getting too close to uncovering the deep involvement of high level PRI leaders in the political crimes. (La Jornada, 3 December).