Zapatista leader "Subcommander Marcos" this evening accused the government of ignoring calls for a lasting peace in troubled Chiapas state as his rebels prepared to enter the heart of Mexico City in a march championing Indian rights.
"We are trying to convince the ... federal government, that we are willing to resolve this and to do it quickly but we need signals. We have given one but they don't see it," Marcos said.
Marcos' remarks were the latest sign that that he is suspicious of President Mr Vicente Fox, who has embraced calls for peace in Chiapas and for a better deal for Mexico's Indians.
After a marathon 12-state, 15-day march from their jungle hide-out, Marcos and 23 rebel leaders were set to make a triumphant entry into the center of Mexico City Sunday to drive home their campaign for Indian rights.
Tens of thousands of rebel sympathizers are expected to turn out in the capital's main square, known as the Zocalo, for a rally.