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>>Costa Rica News Digest<<
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TODAY'S CONTENTS
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*Feature Article:
The Ominous Direction of Panama's New Government

CALENDAR/WEATHER/EXCHANGE RATES


*News Digest

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FEATURE ARTICLE
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*The Ominous Direction of Panama's New Government

An attack on the Canal?
What is a war on terrorism without terrorists?

November 18, 2004

There is a growing uproar in Panama about what is described as the

re-militarization of the country. The police is receiving training at the

former School of the Americas, notorious for producing tyrants and torturers.

Clayton will be converted into a branch office of this infamous institution,

with the US embassy on one side, the offices of the Security Council on the

other, and training facilities for the new armed forces of Panama in the

middle.

Rumsfeld visited, and at the same time the Government announced tougher

penalties on terror crimes, joint operations with foreign armies, and a new

anti-terrorism body that advises our baby president Martin Torrijos about

these things. Police forces were parading the streets in full camouflage

battle dress, heavily armed. A test by the government to see how Panamanians

would respond, because Panamanian public opinion is against militarism. For

Panamanians, the military equals torture, murder, no freedom, people

disappearing, criminals like Omar Torrijos and Manuel Noriega running the

country. The baby president and key figure Hector Aleman need to be careful.

Step by step, militarization is being pushed down the throat of Panama, a

gradual return of US military types introduced. Panama joins the "war on

terrorism."

There is one problem though. There are no terrorists. There is nothing to

even indicate that there would be a terror threat to the Canal.

Because the Canal is what this is all about. Naval exercises to protect the

Canal. New laws to protect the Canal. Extra security measures to protect the

Canal. Rumsfeld is confident about the security of the Canal. US Navy can

board Panamanian ships to protect the Canal. Expansion of the Canal, and

other countries than the US (France, Brazil, Red China) interested in feeding

from that multi-billion dollar rack. Canal, Canal, Canal.

Now there is of course one thing that would help enormously to swing

Panamanian public opinion about militarization of the country and extensive

involvement of the US in that process:

An attack on the Canal.

Nothing big, something along the lines of the attack in 2000 on the Dariën

village of Nazareth. The physical damage doesn't matter, it is the

psychological impact that counts. And, based on the information I have, I'm

predicting you, dear reader, that this is exactly what will happen. A

convenient incident. Panama, embrace yourself. They're going to make you live

history all over again.

Okke Ornstein

from: http://www.ornstein.org/2004attackcanal.html


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WHAT'S NEW AT THE COSTA RICA PAGE!
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Our real estate section has just been totally updated with lots of
new listings, mostly in the residential real estate section, but also
we have a new rental on the rental page and some new additions to the
land for sale section.

http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/real.htm

We are adding new things every day, and when our merger comes with
COSTARICACENTER.COM, we will have a fully operational Mercado Central
for you to buy Costa Rican products over the internet from local merchants
[if you have a reputable business here, and want to sell through the
Mercado, just let us know. We can help you to accept credit cards and
all the major e-currencies on the net! We break through the Great Barrier
that many Costa Rican merchants face getting their products on the net!].

Hotels and tourist businesses will be able to add their own links, and you
will be able to place your own online classifieds and MUCH MUCH MORE!

Watch this newsletter for our official launch, coming soon!

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CALENDAR/WEATHER/EXCHANGE RATES
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Sunday, Nov. 21

Celebration of Thanks
The International Baptist Church's "Celebration of Thanks" luncheon is taking

place at the Fellowship Hall today at noon after the 10 a.m. morning worship

service. The luncheon that is being served features turkey provided by the

church, with side dishes, salads and/or desserts brought by the congregation.

For more information or details about where the church is located, please

call the church (215-2117) or Pastor Paul Dreesen’s cell phone (821-3594) or

send an e-mail to: paul_dina@hotmail.com


Thursday, Nov. 25

Thanksgiving
Today is the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving, which is not celebrated in Costa

Rica but observed informally by many expats here.


Saturday, Dec. 4

Democrats Abroad Picnic
Everyone in the community who is in recovery from the elections is invited to

a restorative potluck picnic hosted by Democrats Abroad of Costa Rica, 11

a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Chopo’s picnic grounds in Ciudad Colón. Bring drinks

and a dish to share. Turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce provided by the

Democrats. For directions call Ruth Dixon at 494-6260 or e-mail

dixonmueller@yahoo.com.


Annual Christmas dinner and dance fiesta
Co-sponsored by the Association of Residents and the Canadian Club, the event

will be held at the Cariari Hotel from 6 p.m. to midnight. The social hour

starts at 6 p.m. with cash bar and bocas. Dinner will feature beef

bourguinon and dorado with mango sauce, together with complimentary wines.

Dancing follows.10,500 colons per person. For tickets & overnight hotel

reservations, contact: Vicky Kieke: 203-3652; andreason@racsa.co.cr Elsa

Miller: 228-1250; newremiller@racsa.co.cr Bob Miller or the ARCR staff:

233-8068; arcr@casacanada.net


*Weekly Weather:
Friday
Scattered Clouds. High: 75° F / 24° C Wind NE 8 mph / 14 km/h
Friday Night
Scattered Clouds. Low: 71° F / 22° C Wind WSW 2 mph / 3 km/h
Saturday
Scattered Clouds. High: 75° F / 24° C Wind NE 8 mph / 14 km/h
Saturday Night
Scattered Clouds. Low: 71° F / 22° C Wind WSW 6 mph / 10 km/h
Sunday
Scattered Clouds. High: 75° F / 24° C Wind NE 8 mph / 14 km/h
Sunday Night
Partly Cloudy. Low: 75° F / 24° C Wind SSW 4 mph / 7 km/h
Monday
Scattered Clouds. High: 75° F / 24° C Wind East 2 mph / 3 km/h
Monday Night
Scattered Clouds. Low: 71° F / 22° C Wind SSW 4 mph / 7 km/h
Tuesday
Scattered Clouds. High: 75° F / 24° C Wind NNE 4 mph / 7 km/h
Tuesday Night
Thunderstorm. Low: 73° F / 23° C Wind NW 4 mph / 7 km/h
Wednesday
Scattered Clouds. High: 75° F / 24° C Wind NNW 6 mph / 10 km/h
Wednesday Night
Scattered Clouds. Low: 71° F / 22° C Wind WNW 6 mph / 10 km/h
Thursday
Scattered Clouds. High: 75° F / 24° C Wind NE 6 mph / 10 km/h
Thursday Night
Scattered Clouds. Low: 71° F / 22° C Wind SW 2 mph / 3 km/h


19 de Noviembre del 2004
Compra 452.85
Venta 454.36
CR Colones por US Dolares



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NEWS DIGEST
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*XIV Cumbre Iberoaméricana Begins Today
Attended by 21 nations, the 14th Ibero American Summit starts tonight at the

Teatro Nacional at 7pm with the inauguration ceremony.

The summit is being held in Costa Rica and will go through Sunday as Latin

American nations and those from the Iberian Peninsula to discuss

multi-lateral cooperation programs, aimed at improving the quality of life of

the citizens in all of these nations.

The conference is held in different countries every year.

The topic of the conference is "Educate to progress", a proposal to convert

debt into investment on education as a "true means for the progress of

society.

Even though organizing the summit costs Costa Rica some $1.2 million,

Minister of Foreign Affairs Roberto Tovar asserted that it is rather an

investment.

e backed his words by pointing out that some 3,000 visitors were expected for

the Summit, and that their sole expenses here would more than balance the

investment made.

Fifteen presidents, the King and Queen of Spain, Juan Carlos I y Sofía de

Grecia, and two prime ministers head the list of international

representatives along with 800 news reporters that will be Costa Rica.

Presidents not attending the event are; Fidel Castro from Cuba; Ricardo

Lagos, of Chile; Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, from Brasil; Alejandro Toledo, of

Perú; Jorge Sampaio, from Portugal and Portugal's prime minister, Pedro

Santana.

For tonight, the area around the Teatro Nacional is being completely blocked

off as security measures are being put into place, including the evacuation

of surrounding buildings.

The owners of the commercial complex, Las Arcadas, that houses the offices of

Insidecostarica.com, located directly in front of the Teatro Nacional, gave

all tenants notice that no one is to remain in the building after 6pm, at the

request of the Ministerio Público.


*5,000 industrial jobs lost

The scant growth that characterizes industrial production this year resulted

in the dismissal of almost 5,000 permanent employees from January through

September.

Industrial production - not including the high-technology sector - increased

only 1 percent in September - as compared to the same month in 2003 -,

according to the monthly index of economy activity from the Central Bank.

The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) confirmed the data by

reporting that the number of formal workers in the industrial sector

decreased from 123,000 to 118,000 the first nine months this year.

Industry accounts for almost one fifth of the domestic production, and in

September it employed 12 of every 100 workers.

Industrial sectors explained that the lower growth experienced this year

results from the increase in raw materials -particularly oil and steel-, a

decrease in domestic sales, and the competition from factories in China.


*Good Living

Costa Rica placed 35th in a world ranking of countries where the living is

good, sponsored and printed by The Economist.

Ireland tops the list, while Costa Rica is above Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay,

and Panama, and is surpassed in Latin America only by Chile (31st) and Mexico

(32nd).

The British weekly's ranking took in over 111 countries and analyzed factors

such as per capita income, health standards, freedom, unemployment, family

life, weather, political stability, security, and equality of gender.
In the market for a change? Let the power of advertising on

insidecostarica.com work for you!



*Coffee Producers in Costa Rica Reap Rewards of Canadian Solar Technology

Using the latest solar technology, a Canadian-led partnership is helping

coffee producers in Costa Rica save energy and help the environment.

Canadian Trade Counsellor Sylvy Gariepy of the Canadian Embassy in Costa Rica

unveiled a cutting-edge solar coffee-drying test site in Tilaran - the

largest of its kind in Central America.

"This is an exciting day for the future of solar energy in agricultural

applications," said Ms. Gariepy. "This facility exemplifies the unlimited

potential and benefits of this renewable energy source."

The site was developed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Government of

Canada's Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM) program, Conserval

Engineering Inc. of Toronto and Coopeldos R.L., a coffee-growing cooperative

in Costa Rica.

"This project is another example of Canada's leadership in developing

innovative approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) that will

have lasting benefits at home and around the world," said the Honourable R.

John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. "Increasing energy

efficiency and using clean, renewable energy sources are essential to

addressing climate change."

At the Tilaran plant, 850 square metres of Conserval's Solarwall® panels were

installed on the roof. Intake fans draw in warmed air from the perforated

panels to dry the coffee beans. The Solarwall technology was developed with

support from NRCan, is 40 percent more efficient and costs 25 percent less

than conventional solar products.

"Coopeldos has shown leadership in the coffee industry by switching to solar

energy, and their customers, including Starbucks, are benefiting from the

quality and taste of the solar-dried coffee beans," said John Hollick,

President of Conserval Engineering Inc.

"For Coopeldos R.L., this is a great opportunity because it fulfils two of

our institutional goals: quality and innovation. The use of technologies that

protect our environment is one more element our clients will consider when

they choose our coffee. It is not only organic and of the highest quality,

but it is also produced with a technology that avoids deforestation, whereas

our previous system ran on wood," explains Juan Carlos Álvarez, General

Manager of Coopeldos R.L.

This project was sparked by a Canadian-led study of the International Energy

Agency's Solar Heating and Cooling Program. The study found solar crop-drying

systems result in significant energy savings, reduced use of fossil fuels and

lower GHG emissions.

The Tilaran facility is one of six test sites - the others are in Panama,

China and India. These sites are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions

by 1,000 tonnes a year, primarily by displacing fossil fuels. The projects in

Costa Rica and Panama are also helping to prevent deforestation by reducing

the amount of wood burned.


*Art Festival

Thousands of children and adults took the streets of San José to announce the

Festival Internacional de las Artes which is being held downtown over the

next few days. The festivities that took over 800 meters of Avenida 1 was to

exposure the festival to one and all.


*Boomer Esiason Foundation makes $10,000 donation


The Costa Rican Association of Cystic Fibrosis has received a check for

$10,000 from the Boomer Esiason Foundation.

Robert Hodell, the organizer of the event Thursday, delivered the check over

to Lorena Barrantes, vice president of the Costa Rican Association of Cystic

Fibrosis, and Miguel Charvarría, a young Tico who suffers from the genetic

disorder that attacks the airways.

Boomer Esiason was a quarterback in the National Football League for 14 years

before retiring after the 1997 season. A four-time Pro Bowler, Esiason spent

the bulk of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals.

In 1993, Esiason’s youngest son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

That year, Esiason started the Boomer Esiason Foundation. The foundation

provides financial support for research aimed at finding a cure for the

disease.

The Costa Rican association was formed in 1984 and has a clinic in the

Hospital de Niños in San José. The association first made contact with

Esiason’s foundation three years ago when the foundation began hosting the

Costa Rica Classic Billfish Tournament in Quepos.

The third Costa Rican Classic tournament will be held March 18 to 20.



*Airline association outlines concerns for airport here

The Association of International Airlines has released a statement outlining

its main concerns with the Juan Santamaría International Airport. In the

statement the association said that Alterra Partners, the airport’s operator,

must improve the service that it is providing and continue with its contract.

Alterra Partners holds a 20-year contract to operate and remodel the airport.

Construction was halted by the government when officials realized that

project costs were much higher than planned.

The association has said that it is pleased with the judicial system in Costa

Rica. In addition it also said that the association is satisfied with the

outcome of the Alterra case.

The company was contracted to modernize the airport but when expenses began

to spiral out of control the Consejo Tecnico de Aviación Civil terminated the

contract.

As a consequence Alterra attempted to sue the consejo for $79.1 million,

claiming damages and loss of earnings. Alterra lost the case last Friday.

Tomas Nassar, the president of the association, said, "The statement we have

released is a list of improvements that the airport must undertake. We have

asked that the airlines cooperate with us."

In the statement, the association put forward its requests for the airport.

It wants the Costa Rican authorities to demand that Alterra complete the

service contract that required them to finish renovation work.

The association has also requested that the airlines willingly participate in

any agreement that is made between Alterra and the government and any

investigations that may be carried out. The airlines have also been asked to

make sure that they apply the correct tariffs for flights which have been

approved by the consejo and the financial watchdog, the Contraloria de la

República. Tariffs for flights will rise to accommodate the costs of the

renovation of the airport. The exact amounts have not yet been published.


*Coast Road closed


The Pacific coast road is blocked several miles north of Dominical because a

truck broke through the road surface and became trapped in the soggy ground

Wednesday. Traffic has been halted for more than a day, and vehicles,

including many trucks, are backed up.

The road is a shortcut for those who prefer not to use the InterAmerican

Highway that runs through San José and Cartago. The largest community to the

north is Manuel Antonio-Quepos.


*McFadden dies in Costa Rica

Prominent Carson City businessman and art collector Bob McFadden, who died

Wednesday in Costa Rica, was remembered by friends and acquaintances Thursday

for his colorful personality, generosity and dedication to historic

preservation.

McFadden, a Carson City resident since 1972, was 55.

Family members said they learned McFadden collapsed and died Wednesday while

on a trip to the Central American country. They said he apparently suffered a

heart attack but noted the cause hasn’t been determined.

McFadden frequently visited Costa Rica and Hawaii on surfing vacations,

according to members of his family. They and others who knew McFadden said he

led an active lifestyle and was a regular among a group of people who played

volleyball at Zephyr Cove.

Longtime friend Richard Langson, who knew McFadden for about 30 years, said

he was stunned to learn the news of his death.

“This comes as a total shock. He was so energetic,’’ Langson said, noting he

previously had traveled with McFadden to the Costa Rica village. “Bob had a

heart of gold and did a lot for the community. He was a huge promoter of

Nevada art and Nevada history.’’



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