nternational journalists to this muddy mix of rusted roof shacks and outhouses with little more than a pledge to show up. Fox criticized for Chiapas claimHis presence still commands the attention of his country and the world, even almost seven years after he led a rebellion that lasted less than two weeks. Fox made Chiapas a priority of his new administration, and during the campaign had bragged -- in what was much criticized as bravado -- that he could solve the Chiapas problem in 15 minutes. While he may be prone to exaggeration, Saturday's developments showed more progress than the previous government had made in at least four years. The communique from Fox's government said the withdrawal of troops and the lifting of checkpoints would "generate a climate favorable to renewing negotiations" to end the rebellion. Many soldiers reported still in roadside campsMilitary and immigration officials had used the checkpoints to prevent movement of weapons in a region where clashes between pro- and anti-Zapatista factions are common. They also tried to hamper support for the rebels. Foreign backers of the rebels were sometimes deported on grounds of interfering in local politics after being stopped at the checkpoints. The government said it ordered the checkpoints dismantled and the troops out of the camps alongside those checkpoints. But reporters on Saturday found many soldiers were still stationed in the roadside camps. Creel, traveling with Fox in the neighboring state of Oaxaca on Saturday, told The Associated Press that the soldiers would eventually withdraw. ...
