SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (AP) -- The Chiapas state
                  legislature has approved a law granting greater autonomy to Indian
                  communities -- a key issue raised by Zapatista rebels.

                  The measure was passed Thursday over the objections of opposition
                  legislators, who say the government is still failing to meet its commitments
                  under a 1996 preliminary accord with the rebels, who staged a brief uprising
                  in January 1994 in the name of Indian rights and greater democracy.

                  Peace talks collapsed shortly after the agreement was signed, with the
                  Zapatistas accusing the government of not meeting its obligations.

                  Under the law passed Thursday, Indian communities would be allowed to
                  follow their traditions in choosing their local government leaders and would
                  have authority to punish those who violate their laws.

                  Gov. Roberto Albores Guillen of the ruling Insitutional Revolutionary Party
                  said the law "consecrates once and for all the rights of the Indian people of
                  Chiapas."

                  Opposition lawmakers said the government was acting unilaterally instead of
                  through negotiations and wasn't sincerely addressing the problem of poverty
                  among Indians in Chiapas.