Costa Rica's Libertarian movement is drawing
international attention! WAY TO GO!
http://www.bestsyndication.com/2005/A-H/DAVIS-Mike/090205-costa-rico-libertarians.htm
Controlling 1Libertarians becoming more Popular in
Costa Rica controlling 10% of Congress
September 2nd 2005
Libertarians becoming much more Popular in Costa Rica
Controlling 10% of Congress
Costa Rica
San Juan, Costa Rica—Imagine a US Congress with 10%
Libertarians. The latest news is how they’ve cut
taxes, stamped out incipient terrorism while squashing
proposals to military action, and are moving to fight
corruption in immigration that no one talked about for
years in the other parties. The country’s prestige is
at a new high. New Hampshire has announced it’s
studying legislation to enable governmentless
Libertarian communities because they’re good for
tourism. And even non-Libertarians say they’re doing a
good job, offering intriguing less-government
alternatives and keeping other parties on their toes.
Why, just like Costa Rica, people say.
Oh, and most of the Libertarian leaders are Black or
belong to other minorities.
Compare this to today, where the Libertarians in North
Carolina struggle to keep their party recognized under
that state’s draconian ballot laws. It’s easy to
speculate why the other parties are attempting to
marginalize them.
The major parties may not want another Costa Rica
Libertarian Movement, or Movimiento Libertario
(http://www.libertario.org/en/index.htm ). In that
country, Libertarians have 10% of the legislature, are
moving to more local positions, and are treated as
business as usual. But it may just be a matter of
time.
Libertarians advocate voluntary solutions and
individual rights, and support more tolerance, more
free enterprise and ever-diminishing government. Costa
Rica certainly has a few less government attitudes
that would seem like hopeless idealism to many people
in the US.. It has no military hence no military coups
or budget to worry about, yet plays a strong role in
international affairs through active diplomacy. People
can get many drugs without a prescription after
consultation with their pharmacist. Immigrants are
welcomed with open arms with a system encouraging
economic self-sufficiency that is a marvel of
simplicity compared to US regulations. It has
proportional voting and few ballot requirements,
making it far more democratic in engaging different
political than the US.
While Libertarians in the US wage what looks like a
complex chess game rolling back election laws often
specifically designed to keep them out, Libertarianism
has taken off in the tolerant “Central American
Switzerland” like El Cid riding to the rescue.
Libertarians there control 10 % of the Congress,
occupy influential positions, and over 70% of the
country thinks they’re doing a good job according to
newspaper surveys. When a Libertarian international
group met there some years back, the country’s
President made the welcome speech.
Any political party could probably learn from the
Costa Rican Libertarians, who admit they started off
by learning from the US Libertarian’s mistakes and
less well known but impressive successes.
CLASSICAL ANARCHISTS WITH GANNT CHARTS
Libertarianism, which says people would benefit with
an array of alternatives ranging from devolution to
local government and classical anarchist communities,
is looked at as something of a tough sell in politics.
It has no ready-made constituency except everyone’s
interest in their own individual rights, and in many
ways is more a political technology. So the growth is
all the more fascinating as until a few years ago,
there was only a small Libertarian study group in the
country. Local Libertarians contacted Libertarian
groups such as the International Society for
Individual Liberty and the Libertarian International
Organization (LIO) to get ideas. “We had just finished
a best practices study and basically gave them two
lists,” said Ralph Swanson, and LIO Board member. “We
said do simple boring cheap stuff on list A and don’t
do the tempting glitzy expensive stuff on list B. We
basically had found that US Libertarian groups that
focused on education on uncompromising application of
Libertarian principle and door-to-door legwork and
coalition activism did well, while those that
attempted to dilute their message and imitate the
campaign styles of the Republicans and Democrats shot
themselves in the foot. Next thing we knew they were
doing great, and when we checked up they said, ‘Well,
we followed list A.’ ”
Otto Guevara Guth, a former Costa Rican Congressman
who leads the Costa Rican group, put it more bluntly.
”When I first heard about Libertarianism, I said what
in the world is this? Are these people nuts? Like most
people I assumed that if government wasn’t making
people do it, then it wasn’t being done, and so you
had to accept a lot of regulation. Then here are
Libertarians saying government is actually the
problem, and we should just handle everything by
private groups with just one rule: respect individual
rights. As I saw the possibilities and saw that this
stuff worked, I realized we had a chance for a
movement able to think long term but have plenty of
immediate projects to get public support.”
List A had some unusual conclusions, reflected in the
Movimiento’s approach. It suggested things such as
dividing adherents into speaker, political and other
personality types; developing a radical no-government
message with detailed transition items; and outreach
through personal networks. Training was emphasized,
and a good part of the Costa Rican site deals in
philosophy. Yet as they crusade to dismantle the
government and replace its programs with voluntary
groups and alternatives, they also put a GANNT style
progress chart and emphasize baby-step approaches, and
trumpet the slightest success. They even set a
standard for news stories, patiently following up so
soon they were news resources, then the news, all
instead of ‘reacting to the news’ said Guevara Guth in
a talk with to US Libertarians.
“We expect a new story per 1 million population daily,
and if we’re not being treated fairly we get on the
phone,” he said.” However, by now we’re constant news.
Journalists say, ‘I wonder what the Libertarians are
doing now?’ Because that’s what their readers are
wondering.”
To judge by GOOGLE search results, the Movimiento is
certainly doing media wonders. Enter US Libertarian
Party and you only get 3340 results—somewhat
misleading, as Democrats get 18,000 and the LP is
basically local in the US so dynamic affiliates, such
as Pinellas, Florida, get about 10,000. Yet the
Movimiento turns in over 11.000—astonishing interest
in comparison to even the major US parties. Indeed
there’s such an array of articles, discussions, policy
papers, and fan sites, one might wonder if it’s a
party or a national tourist attraction.
Yet some of the press is wary. The Economist magazine
attracted derision when it did an article touching on
the Movimiento’s effect while failing to mention it
was Libertarian.
OPPOSITION
All of this reflects the aggressive, and ‘integrative’
Costa Rican attitude and a ‘Libertarian management’
approach. While US Libertarians hand out a ten point
political quiz, Costa Ricans have a 40 point one they
use to qualify people and immediately address issues
of agreement and training. They made branding
decisions in an afternoon, with attractive red polo
shirts for adherents and a seagull motif so as ‘not to
be confused with’ anyone. All projects are self-run
and self-funding, and they rely heavily on ‘bottom-up’
action, with supporters constantly handing out
literature to taxi drivers, waiters, and other casual
contacts.
They also made a decision to treat any defeat as an
opportunity and make lemon of lemonade, encouraged by
pep-talks and lengthy e-mails from their international
mentors. As the government realized they were
expanding under Costa Rica’s proportional
representation system, it imposed requirements that
political parties have 5 adherents in almost every
neighborhood, a burden seemingly well beyond a
struggling new group, and at first they thought the
end had come.
In due course, however, they agreed with their mentors
that they were being forced to do what they should do
anyway: get out and organize non-Libertarians around
local issues. At the same time, they were aided by a
government regulation that threatened to put small
lottery sellers out of business, which they exploited
immediately since in Costa Rica, many people sell a
few lottery tickets.
They didn’t look back, and are known for relentlessly
looking at world events from the point of vew of how
people can benefit from their Libertarian ideas. ‘They
simply refuse to react or have a position on other
people’s issues. They promptly turn it all around so
it’s their issue with a specific action proposal in a
very short period of time,” said a local observer.
When 9-11 came and other US State Libertarian parties
agonized over how to best express Libertarian
solutions on foreign policy, the Costa Ricans turned
it into a tax-cut issue, and successfully demanded
the government take no ‘hysterical actions’ that would
damage tourism or raise spending. They also have come
out in favor of the Central American free trade
treaty, unlike their US counterpart, but with far more
detailed line by line criticism—they feel it has
hidden and unfair regulations—so that they’re
controlling discussion and, observers say, are forcing
other parties to react to them.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
The Costa Ricans have also used local cultural
differences, or sometimes a difference of perspective,
to address issues that tax their US counterparts.
While the US has had a national goal of abolishing its
military for years under a little known law, Costa
Rica simply did it long ago, and so Libertarians
warning against military adventures have a ready
audience there.
There was actually an experiment in the 1800’s in
Libertarian communes in Limon province, so when
Libertarians there proposed eventual creation of a
Libertarian non-governmental community on classical
anarchist lines as one option, people hailed it as
restoring lost roots and a potential revenue-building
attraction.
They also used different terminology. They call
privatizations democratizations to better include the
idea of co-operatives. They decided to call their
party a movement—Movimiento Libertario—to express that
they didn’t see their main mission as merely getting
elected but creating a new ‘cultural group’ dedicated
to freedom and rights.
They’ve also found that, as US Libertarians are
discovering, little details argue philosophy. It’s all
very well to call for limited government and
responsive public services, but when Guevara Guth was
elected to Congress and announced he was carrying a
cell phone and would provide quick answers to
constituent’s questions, he created a sensation,
especially in the laid back Latin culture. Opponents
became apoplectic at the Libertarian reputation for
quick service to constituents, and as donations poured
in hinted darkly that the Movimiento was getting money
from the Mafia in New York, or worse, Sweden.
Perhaps their biggest management difference from most
of the US LP is a structure of welcoming general
supporters as members while having a certification
process to develop ‘militant’ Libertarian leaders.
While the US national party technically has the same
policy, under the influence of former Republicans it
tended in the last ten years to emphasize membership
and short-term politics while having no educational or
training program in place, though it has been moving
to change. However, some states parties, such as
Florida and New Hampshire, have farm team methods that
have served them well, being more like Costa Rica,
with both a more radical Libertarian message and more
Libertarians in government positions or as opinion
leaders.
Yet again and again the cultural differences are
intriguing. In the US Libertarianism polls more
favorably with African-Americans and Hispanics than
other cultural groups, but while they’ve done a good
job engaging Hispanics, and Blacks make a large number
of Libertarian registrations—more proportionally than
Greens or Democrats in many areas—bringing them into
the leadership has been haphazard. The Costa Ricans
have no such problems, pointing to international
economist Dr. Rigoberto Stewart, a Black and one of
their founders.
And in the US, while it’s a plus to emphasize a woman
in gender neutral activities, it’s rarely so with men.
Indeed, in some states a man might be investigated for
domestic abuse for arguing with his wife over domestic
affairs or ‘taking too great an interest’ in his
children by, for example, challenging doctor’s
decisions during childbirth. Sometimes taking their
cue from academics who maintain fathers are
irrelevant, US Courts in custody cases have only
recently begun to challenge professionals and accept
that fathers are more than financial contributors to
their children’s welfare. In much of Latin America,
by contrast, a father is expected to take such intense
interest in his children as might, to many in the US
from a Germanic background, seem at best exotic. When
he ran for election, Guevara Guth made a point of
letting people know he was directly involved in his
children’s daily routine, with the implication of
being the ideal Latin father who would examine
government affairs with equal zeal.
ECONOMY COUNTS
All this is important for a small party that can’t
waste effort—and the US Libertarian party is quietly
recognized as far better organized than its opponents,
getting widening influence despite it’s small formal
numbers--Costa Rica has focused on these issues from
the beginning. This has created two startling
statistics: many Costa Ricans vote Libertarian, and if
the US were doing like the Costa Rican Movimiento,
the US party would have proportionally almost 500,000
members—politically impressive when one realizes these
are not passive registered members but active
supporters. ”Economy counts, “ said Guevara Guth in an
earlier interview.
Nonetheless, Costa Rican Libertarians say they have
plenty to learn still, like good Libertarians, and are
always trolling for new ideas. “You have to be careful
generalizing about the American Libertarians, or for
that matter, Americans. Mnay of our people think they
get too self-critical, and simply don’t blow their own
horn enough,” said Mario Vedova, a Movimiento leader,
while on tour in the US. “Yet it’s really a vast
laboratory of 50 parties, and there’s no doubt from
abroad that US Libertarians are making a difference,
and you learn a lot from them. In fact, our co-founder
was once the chair of the Florida LP.”
What’s next? After some debate the Movimiento is
experimenting with running ‘less than 100% Libertarian
candidates’ as long as they advocate and carry out
Libertarian solutions, hoping to ‘bring them along.’
While some worry this may lead to the Movimiento being
seized by conservatives and ‘do-nothing pragmatists’
given to being overly impressed with political
consultants, they point to a tab on ‘philosophy’ at
their website and the division of labor of having
separate non-partisan think tank and activism-outreach
groups there.
The work of the non-political groups is in some ways
even more impressive. Libertarian think tank INLAP
(http://www.inlap.org/) , which proposed the
think-piece Libertarian province proposal now carried
on by a separate group, CELIDE
(http://www.celide.org/), has several initiatives,
and the new outreach Instituto Libertario
(http://www.institutolibertario.org/index.html ) has
in the last few months done seminars at major colleges
and schools across the country, with students checking
out it’s ‘cool website graphics,’ they say, and
links. There’s even a Libertarian consumer union
(http://www.consumidoreslibres.org ) fighting
government utility monopolies they feel raise prices.
Meanwhile, even as members discuss expanding and
cloning Movimiento Libertario parties up and down
Central America, they caution that effective politics
is a matter of repetition. The website shows they
focus on yeoman work: a radio station is up, an
attractive GIF has yet another attack on tax policies,
and an invitation to join the Libertarian youth group
is prominent. They boast of hard-fought legislation
that has cut campaign financing, and urge viewers to
join a new less taxes initiative.
“The biggest mistake the Costa Rican Libertarians can
make is what many businesses and political groups
do—get cocky and change what’s working, “ said
Swanson. “People are listening because they’ve been
listening as well. Real change takes time, and it’s
very encouraging their getting give- and-take from
young people. It’s a matter of consistent effort, a
matter of time. That’s politics.”
By Mike Davis and S. S. Palacheck
International Researchers and Journalists
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Saturday, September 03, 2005
Monday, August 08, 2005
President Pacheco Urges Congress to Approve Tax Plan
"Hunger will be waiting us. We cannot continue to lose opportunities like the present to resolve for once and for all our problems that have caused, as Monseñor Barrantes pointed out, to exist in Costa Rica several social and economic realities", said president Abel Pacheco on national television, making one more call to Legislative Deputies to approvel the Plan Fiscal (tax reforms).
The president made reference to the homage expressed by the Archbishop of San José on August 2 at the Basilica de los Angeles in Cartago, saying that there are three Costa Ricas - the rich, the poor and the real poor.
"As as a Catholic, I listen and pay attention to the words of my pastor... I will continue to fight against poverty and inequality...", Pacheco said.
President Pacheco urged the legislative deputies to approve the Reforma Fiscal Estructural, which will permit the future administrations to count with financial resources which have been denied his government, all which will be required to combat poverty.
The President added that the words of the Monseñor should move the consciense of the deputies, who have in their hands the responsibility and the constitutional power to make the decisions to close the social gaps in Costa Rica.
President Pacheco reminded his audience that in the year 2000, the Legislative Assembly, approved a contingency plan that would last into 2003, with the promise that in 2004 the new Plan Fiscal would come into effect. However, that has not been the case.
President Abel Pacheco de la Espriella, added that the international prices of crude oil and the ensuing high gasoline prices have greatly affected the cost of living in Costa Rica and that the approval of the Tax Plan is imperative.
COMMENT: Like all other socialist idiots, he doesn't understand economic reality at all. When governments RAISE TAXES they LOSE REVENUE! And for such a small country as this, the VAT would be a total disaster! It would send foreign corporations and ex pats fleeing for the exits so fast, they might even leave before Pacheco's term expires! Not only that, but his stupid connection of the global price of oil is a total non sequiter, and has nothing at all to do with his imbecilic tax plans. Furthermore, hidden away in this nefarious piece of excrement is a provision that would repeal Costa Rica's bank secrecy laws, which will mean even more capital flight. Far from doing this country any good, this plan foisted on Costa Rica by the ilk at the IMF would utterly bankrupt this entire country. What this country needs is to cut spending to the bone and live within its means -- something this government has NEVER been able to do!
Pacheco May Water Down Costa Rican Tax Package
It has emerged that President Abel Pacheco is prepared to water down one of the more contentious aspects of the long-delayed fiscal reform package in order move the legislation through Costa Rica's legislature.
Under the tax plan, Costa Rica's taxpayers will be required to pay tax on income earned worldwide, whereas under the current territorial system only income earned within the country's borders is taxed.
However, Pacheco met with legislative leaders last Thursday when it was decided that foreign income would only be taxed if it was remitted back to Costa Rica.
First proposed in 2002, the fiscal reform package intends to raise some $500 million in additional revenues, pay off the country’s growing foreign debt, and reduce the deficit to 2.65% of GDP through a series of tax hikes and improved collection methods. However, it has remained bogged down in the legislative assembly ever since despite attempts by government supporters to force through the reforms.
COMMENT: This piece of trash doesn't need watered down -- it needs to be FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET! This "plan" will quickly bankrupt this country.
Notables Report Due Today
The first report of the Comisión de Notables who is studying the Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) with the United States is due today.
President Abel Pacheco is set to meet with the leader and voice of the Notables, Franklin Chang Diaz.
The comisión is made up of several key Costa Ricans who will make a full report within 60 days to the government.
Along with Chang, former UCR director Gabriel Macaya, scientist Rodrigo Gámez, Catholic priest Guido Villalta, and lawyer Alvar Antillón will be making the recommendations.
Chang said last Friday that the TLC - approved or not - is sparking debate over the changes necessary in Costa Rica. "I believe that perhaps this will help us develop a little more, to fix our ship that has suffered damage over time".
130.000 Waiting for Cellular Service
Claudio Bermúdez, subdirector of telecommunications at the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, says that the waiting list for cellular telephone service tops 130.000.
Bermúdez said that ICE hopes to satisfy the demand beginning the end of October of this year when the first 200.000 of the 600.000 cellular lines of the new GSM service will be made available.
At present there are no TDMA or GSM cellular lines available.
To get connected to the cellular network - one the lines are available - a subscriber will be required to post a deposit of ¢12.500 colones (us$25.75) and have a receipt for the telephone equipment and copy of a utility bill and a copy of their 'cedula'.
Foreigners and visitors to Costa Rica who do not have a residency cedula cannot subscribe to cellular service.
US Interference in Nicaragua Must Cease, Say Opposition Groups
Nicaraguan opposition deputy Agustin Jarquin demanded the cessation of continuous US interference in Nicaraguan domestic affairs.
Jarquin, a member of the National Convergence, a collection of groups allied with the Sandinista National Liberation Front, told Prensa Latina that US governments and officials "interfere and complicate Nicaraguans´ search for understanding."
He pointed out that intervention by US special envoys and the US Embassy in Managua is "illegal and inappropriate, violates law and sovereignty and creates a lot of complication."
He stated that instead of looking for solutions to the political crisis, they try to weaken the strength of the Front and the National Convergence by provoking confrontation, they create polarization to generate tension, and they complicate matters when Nicaraguan groups sit down to talk things out.
He said that the Nicaraguan government blindly obeys the orders of the White House without looking at the serious problems of the population, which are the product of its own neo-liberal strategy.
Jarquin said in the 19 years of mandate of those "democratic presidents", social differences widened, and most of the country's capital is concentrated in a minority while more than 70 percent live in poverty.
"In spite of the "dirty campaigns of disinformation" against the FSLN, the population feels defrauded because the rulers did not satisfy their needs, instead they intensified them," Jarquin noted.
¿The local elections in November 2004 showed this, as the National Convergence won 87 of 152 mayor offices, including Managua," he added.
"The Nicaraguan people accept our project against poverty, and for equality and social justice, and the Sandinista Front is ready to listen to all suggestions and proposals to improve the quality of life," he stressed.
He concluded that each day brings them closer to victory for the 2006 elections, with social projects to benefit all people, without exclusion.
Venezuela to suspend cooperation with DEA
Venezuelan President Hugo Chaves on Sunday suspended its cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), accusing the agency of using its agents for espionage.
Chavez said at a press conference, "we have been detecting intelligence work against Venezuelan government carried out by the DEA."
"Under these circumstances, we decided to shut down these agreements. ... The US DEA is not essential to the fight in Venezuela against drug-trafficking. We will keep working with international organizations against drugs," he said.
Venezuela is an major hub of smuggling routes for cocaine and heroin from Colombia to Europe and the United States. The US and Venezuela had agreed until recently to work together in the fight against the drug smuggling industry. However, foreign security officials say the two countries' relationship has been strained by mistrust and corruption.
Political relations with the US government have become more and more tense since President Chavez came to power in 1999. He ended joint military operations and exchanges with the United States and rdered US military instructors out of the country on April 22.
The DEA suspension adds further tension to Venezuela's already tenuous relations with the United States.
Atlantis proponent
next forum speaker
The lost island of Atlantis may have been here in Costa Rica according to author and professor Ivar Zapp. Zapp is the next scheduled speaker in the monthly speaker's forum at Big Mike's Place in Escazú. His speech is scheduled for Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
The one-hour talk is called “Traces of an Unknown Civilization." In 1940, workers in southwest Costa Rica were clearing land for the United Fruit Co. when they stumbled upon stone spheres as large as nine feet in diameter buried in the earth. According to Zapp, the spheres were used by the Huetar Indians for navigation. Zapp said that the spheres prove that the skill of the Huetar in finding such out of the way places as Easter Island and the Falkland Islands was on the same level as that of the ancient Polynesians.
His speech will be about the process that lead to his book “Atlantis in America.” Zapp came to Costa Rica 33 years ago as an artist. He was invited by the University of Costa Rica to give a lecture on art. Afterwards, he said, officials invited him to be a professor. He said that he had had an interest in the spheres and often included them in his paintings. So when the University offered him the chance, he decided to find out what purpose the spheres served. His speech will be about that research, he said. He is convinced that not only were the spheres used for directional astronomy but also that the spot in southwest Costa Rica where they were found is Plato's lost island of Atlantis.
Entrance is 1,000 colons, a bit more than $2. Guests are invited to arrive at 6:30 p.m. to sample the snack bar and refreshments. For more information call 289-6333, 821-4708 or Mike at 289-6087.
"Hunger will be waiting us. We cannot continue to lose opportunities like the present to resolve for once and for all our problems that have caused, as Monseñor Barrantes pointed out, to exist in Costa Rica several social and economic realities", said president Abel Pacheco on national television, making one more call to Legislative Deputies to approvel the Plan Fiscal (tax reforms).
The president made reference to the homage expressed by the Archbishop of San José on August 2 at the Basilica de los Angeles in Cartago, saying that there are three Costa Ricas - the rich, the poor and the real poor.
"As as a Catholic, I listen and pay attention to the words of my pastor... I will continue to fight against poverty and inequality...", Pacheco said.
President Pacheco urged the legislative deputies to approve the Reforma Fiscal Estructural, which will permit the future administrations to count with financial resources which have been denied his government, all which will be required to combat poverty.
The President added that the words of the Monseñor should move the consciense of the deputies, who have in their hands the responsibility and the constitutional power to make the decisions to close the social gaps in Costa Rica.
President Pacheco reminded his audience that in the year 2000, the Legislative Assembly, approved a contingency plan that would last into 2003, with the promise that in 2004 the new Plan Fiscal would come into effect. However, that has not been the case.
President Abel Pacheco de la Espriella, added that the international prices of crude oil and the ensuing high gasoline prices have greatly affected the cost of living in Costa Rica and that the approval of the Tax Plan is imperative.
COMMENT: Like all other socialist idiots, he doesn't understand economic reality at all. When governments RAISE TAXES they LOSE REVENUE! And for such a small country as this, the VAT would be a total disaster! It would send foreign corporations and ex pats fleeing for the exits so fast, they might even leave before Pacheco's term expires! Not only that, but his stupid connection of the global price of oil is a total non sequiter, and has nothing at all to do with his imbecilic tax plans. Furthermore, hidden away in this nefarious piece of excrement is a provision that would repeal Costa Rica's bank secrecy laws, which will mean even more capital flight. Far from doing this country any good, this plan foisted on Costa Rica by the ilk at the IMF would utterly bankrupt this entire country. What this country needs is to cut spending to the bone and live within its means -- something this government has NEVER been able to do!
Pacheco May Water Down Costa Rican Tax Package
It has emerged that President Abel Pacheco is prepared to water down one of the more contentious aspects of the long-delayed fiscal reform package in order move the legislation through Costa Rica's legislature.
Under the tax plan, Costa Rica's taxpayers will be required to pay tax on income earned worldwide, whereas under the current territorial system only income earned within the country's borders is taxed.
However, Pacheco met with legislative leaders last Thursday when it was decided that foreign income would only be taxed if it was remitted back to Costa Rica.
First proposed in 2002, the fiscal reform package intends to raise some $500 million in additional revenues, pay off the country’s growing foreign debt, and reduce the deficit to 2.65% of GDP through a series of tax hikes and improved collection methods. However, it has remained bogged down in the legislative assembly ever since despite attempts by government supporters to force through the reforms.
COMMENT: This piece of trash doesn't need watered down -- it needs to be FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET! This "plan" will quickly bankrupt this country.
Notables Report Due Today
The first report of the Comisión de Notables who is studying the Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) with the United States is due today.
President Abel Pacheco is set to meet with the leader and voice of the Notables, Franklin Chang Diaz.
The comisión is made up of several key Costa Ricans who will make a full report within 60 days to the government.
Along with Chang, former UCR director Gabriel Macaya, scientist Rodrigo Gámez, Catholic priest Guido Villalta, and lawyer Alvar Antillón will be making the recommendations.
Chang said last Friday that the TLC - approved or not - is sparking debate over the changes necessary in Costa Rica. "I believe that perhaps this will help us develop a little more, to fix our ship that has suffered damage over time".
130.000 Waiting for Cellular Service
Claudio Bermúdez, subdirector of telecommunications at the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, says that the waiting list for cellular telephone service tops 130.000.
Bermúdez said that ICE hopes to satisfy the demand beginning the end of October of this year when the first 200.000 of the 600.000 cellular lines of the new GSM service will be made available.
At present there are no TDMA or GSM cellular lines available.
To get connected to the cellular network - one the lines are available - a subscriber will be required to post a deposit of ¢12.500 colones (us$25.75) and have a receipt for the telephone equipment and copy of a utility bill and a copy of their 'cedula'.
Foreigners and visitors to Costa Rica who do not have a residency cedula cannot subscribe to cellular service.
US Interference in Nicaragua Must Cease, Say Opposition Groups
Nicaraguan opposition deputy Agustin Jarquin demanded the cessation of continuous US interference in Nicaraguan domestic affairs.
Jarquin, a member of the National Convergence, a collection of groups allied with the Sandinista National Liberation Front, told Prensa Latina that US governments and officials "interfere and complicate Nicaraguans´ search for understanding."
He pointed out that intervention by US special envoys and the US Embassy in Managua is "illegal and inappropriate, violates law and sovereignty and creates a lot of complication."
He stated that instead of looking for solutions to the political crisis, they try to weaken the strength of the Front and the National Convergence by provoking confrontation, they create polarization to generate tension, and they complicate matters when Nicaraguan groups sit down to talk things out.
He said that the Nicaraguan government blindly obeys the orders of the White House without looking at the serious problems of the population, which are the product of its own neo-liberal strategy.
Jarquin said in the 19 years of mandate of those "democratic presidents", social differences widened, and most of the country's capital is concentrated in a minority while more than 70 percent live in poverty.
"In spite of the "dirty campaigns of disinformation" against the FSLN, the population feels defrauded because the rulers did not satisfy their needs, instead they intensified them," Jarquin noted.
¿The local elections in November 2004 showed this, as the National Convergence won 87 of 152 mayor offices, including Managua," he added.
"The Nicaraguan people accept our project against poverty, and for equality and social justice, and the Sandinista Front is ready to listen to all suggestions and proposals to improve the quality of life," he stressed.
He concluded that each day brings them closer to victory for the 2006 elections, with social projects to benefit all people, without exclusion.
Venezuela to suspend cooperation with DEA
Venezuelan President Hugo Chaves on Sunday suspended its cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), accusing the agency of using its agents for espionage.
Chavez said at a press conference, "we have been detecting intelligence work against Venezuelan government carried out by the DEA."
"Under these circumstances, we decided to shut down these agreements. ... The US DEA is not essential to the fight in Venezuela against drug-trafficking. We will keep working with international organizations against drugs," he said.
Venezuela is an major hub of smuggling routes for cocaine and heroin from Colombia to Europe and the United States. The US and Venezuela had agreed until recently to work together in the fight against the drug smuggling industry. However, foreign security officials say the two countries' relationship has been strained by mistrust and corruption.
Political relations with the US government have become more and more tense since President Chavez came to power in 1999. He ended joint military operations and exchanges with the United States and rdered US military instructors out of the country on April 22.
The DEA suspension adds further tension to Venezuela's already tenuous relations with the United States.
Atlantis proponent
next forum speaker
The lost island of Atlantis may have been here in Costa Rica according to author and professor Ivar Zapp. Zapp is the next scheduled speaker in the monthly speaker's forum at Big Mike's Place in Escazú. His speech is scheduled for Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.
The one-hour talk is called “Traces of an Unknown Civilization." In 1940, workers in southwest Costa Rica were clearing land for the United Fruit Co. when they stumbled upon stone spheres as large as nine feet in diameter buried in the earth. According to Zapp, the spheres were used by the Huetar Indians for navigation. Zapp said that the spheres prove that the skill of the Huetar in finding such out of the way places as Easter Island and the Falkland Islands was on the same level as that of the ancient Polynesians.
His speech will be about the process that lead to his book “Atlantis in America.” Zapp came to Costa Rica 33 years ago as an artist. He was invited by the University of Costa Rica to give a lecture on art. Afterwards, he said, officials invited him to be a professor. He said that he had had an interest in the spheres and often included them in his paintings. So when the University offered him the chance, he decided to find out what purpose the spheres served. His speech will be about that research, he said. He is convinced that not only were the spheres used for directional astronomy but also that the spot in southwest Costa Rica where they were found is Plato's lost island of Atlantis.
Entrance is 1,000 colons, a bit more than $2. Guests are invited to arrive at 6:30 p.m. to sample the snack bar and refreshments. For more information call 289-6333, 821-4708 or Mike at 289-6087.
Monday, June 20, 2005
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*Thousands of Illegals Live in Fear of New Immigration Law
Many foreigners, especially Nicaraguans who come to Costa Rica looking for a
better opportunity, are living the fear that soon, very soon, the Policía de
Migración - immigration police - will visit their place of work in search of
illegals.
The immigration department estimates some 500.000 foreigners in Costa of
which 1/3 are believed to be in the country illegally.
The fear is real as the new Ley de Migración was approved in the first round
of debate on June 7 and is expected to be pass on the second round.
Legislative Deputies are concerned about the constitutionality of the new law
and thus have asked the Constitutional Court to comment before second debate
begins.
The new law would give the immigration department the authority to visit
places of employment and ask for documentation. The new law would also make
it illegal for anyone to traffick in illegals, including giving employment or
harbouring illegals.
Article 63 of the new immigration law states that anyone entering the country
in an illegal manner cannot apply for legal status or be allowed to remain
illegally, meaning they will be deported if detected.
Marco Badilla, immigration director, admits that it is not clear what will
happen to all the illegals now in the country. Their future will be
determined as the law evolves and is put into practice.
Badilla added that there exists the possibility that the government may make
some exceptions, like the amnesty program for Nicaraguans some years back,
however, his department is not in agreement.
Critics say that the government is not taking into account the economic
contribution this group (illegals) make, providing menial labour that Costa
Ricans don't want to do, like domestic work and in construction.
Nicaraguans mainly provide the coffee industry with a temporary labour force,
such that the Instituto del Café de Costa Rica (Icafé) began last year a
hotline for coffee producers to post their labour requirements which is
mainly filled by foreigners coming to Costa Rica illegally.
In addition, during the last crop season, the government passed a regulation
that makes the movement of foreign labour (Nicaraguans) much easier and
without many restrictions. Nicaraguans who depend on the Costa Rican coffee
crop can now move with much more freedom, providing the coffee industry with
a vital source of labour.
Badilla defends his position assuring that the new law is only to form a base
for immigration policies and not a persecution.
By the numbers
According to immigration data for the year 2004
Number of visitors refused entry: 46.552
Number of persons deported: 1.031
Number of refugees living in Costa Rica: 11.000
Number of foreigners in Costa Rican jails: 903
Number of foreign students: 45.900
Number of persons entering Costa Rica: 1.838.188
Number of persons leaving Costa Rica: 1.801.839
*Immigration In Action!
The Fuerza Pública assisting the Policía Especial de Migración (immigration
police) descended on various beach communities in an operation to detect and
detain illegals in Costa Rica.
In Jacó beach, the operation included visits to bars, cantinas and various
nightspots.
The operation began around 11pm and ran until 5am along with the support of
the Policía de Transito who operates several roadblocks in the area,
including Esparsa (east of Puntarenas) and Orotina.
Transit officials checked cars going in and out of the area, while the Fuerza
Publica assisted immigration officers in the various clubs and discos.
In total, officials say they interviewed 400 people of which 84 were
foreigners visiting the popular beach town. Of those 27 were found to have
irregular migratory status.
Of the 27, 19 were Nicaraguans, 5 Colombians, 2 Argentines and one American.
*Improved Economic Outlook
The international risk assessment agency Standard & Poor's improved its
economic outlook for Costa Rica.
The agency upgraded from "negative" to "stable" the ability of the Government
of Costa Rica to honor its external debts.
This is the outcome of what the agency deems an improvement in the fiscal
management during the last year, the likelihood of improved revenues, and a
lower public deficit, mainly.
However, Standard & Poor's does not omit that Costa Rica remains subject to
risks such as an elevated use of dollar in every day transactions and the
regulation of the banking sector.
The Minister of Finance Federico Carrillo and the president of the Central
Bank Francisco Gutierrez stated satisfaction at the news.
Carrillo pointed out that if the fiscal reform that the Government is
promoting is finally approved by the Legislative Assembly, it will be
possible to continue the capitalization of the Central Bank, therefore
lowering inflation, a step to modify the exchange rate, one of the incentives
for the use of the dollar instead of the local currency.
Gutierrez pointed out that the news is excellent, since it will eventually
enable the country to lower the interest rates, acting upon the perception of
lower external risk.
*Heredia Festival This Week
Music, theatre, dance, closes, puppets, acrobats, artist and artisans are all
on hand for the Festival Nacional de Las Artes in Heredia.
All week, different activities are being planned in different places and
times so that everyone can enjoy the festivities.
The Festival is geared to all ages and background and promises to entertain.
Each night at 9:30 there will be a free live concert at the Parque de
Heredia.
*"Godfather of Costa Rican poker players" competes in the World Series of
Poker
Humberto Brenes, the godfather of Costa Rican poker, member of the "Costa
Rica Connection" and one of professional poker's most beloved players is
taking on the world's best in The World Series of Poker (WSOP), the largest
poker tournament in the world.
es.sportsbook.com, the Spanish edition of the largest sportsbook on the
planet is currently offering odds on Brenes and all of the top professional
and celebrity players in the tournament.
Brenes sits currently at 1250-1 odds, with favorites Daniel Negreanu and Phil
Ivey both at 300-1. Hollywood stars such as Ben Affleck (2500-1) and Ed
Norton (7500-1), both very accomplished players on the celebrity tour, are
considered long shots for the title according to es.sportsbook.com fans.
Brenes learned how to play poker from his father at age 7 and began playing
poker tournaments a decade ago after a successful career playing baccarat and
craps tournaments throughout the Bahamas.
Brenes, who maintains homes in Costa Rica and Miami Lakes, Florida, runs a
number of successful businesses in Costa Rica including a construction
company. Brenes has won two world poker championships.
Poker is now one of North America's largest pastimes - both online and
face-to-face - and continues to grow in popularity as more tournaments are
created. The WSOP Championship Event takes place July 7 to 15 at the Rio All
Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
"We expect that Humberto will be a huge draw for Latin fans, adding to an
already gigantic audience for this event," said Tony Delgado, Marketing
Director es.sportsbook.com.
"Poker lovers who don't have a seat at the table have plenty of opportunity
on es.sportsbook.com to get involved with wagers on their favorite players."
* China, Costa Rica Draw 2-2
China and Costa Rica drew 2-2 in the first of two "friendlies" to be played
in China.
Sunday's game was China's first international match on home turf since the
national team was reorganized this year under new manager Zhu Guanghu.
China scored first through midfielder Zhang Yaokun in the 28th minute.
Costa Rica made it 1-1 12 minutes into the second half with a header from
Mauricio Solis, who had been set up by teammate Brian Ruiz. Costa Rica then
took the lead with a free-kick by Ronald Gomez in the 75th minute.
Chinese defender Sun Xiang made it 2-2 with a shot in the 80th minute.
A second friendly is scheduled to be played in the southern city of Guangzhou
on Wednesday.
China is struggling to recover after its elimination from the World Cup in
qualifying rounds last November.
Zhu was appointed in March and is the first Chinese manager to lead the team
in a decade.
*OAS chief warns of crisis in Nicaragua after failed mission
The newly elected chief of the Organization of American States (OAS) warned
of a crisis in Nicaragua Sunday at the end of his four-day political
mediation mission in the Central American country.
OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza, who was last month elected to the
post, said he had "genuine reasons for concern, although society continues to
function."
Warning of "a profound political division" which could develop into a crisis,
he appealed to Nicaraguan politicians to make concessions to avoid it.
"It is necessary to make concessions," Insulza stressed, vowing to continue
the mediation.
The former Chilean interior minister has tried unsuccessfully to bridge
differences between Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños and the opposition
parties over constitutional reforms, which Bolaños sees as steps to cripple
his powers.
The OAS chief, who arrived in Managua Wednesday, reportedly proposed that
Bolaños accept a more powerful legislature in exchange for peace with the two
parties -- the leftist Sandinista National Liberation Front and the
right-wing Constitutional Liberal Party.
Bolaños, who has repeatedly sought OAS help to ease a crisis, rejected the
offer which he views as against the "basic democratic principles."
The president instead proposed Saturday that a national referendum be held
during the next general election in 2006 on the forms recently approved by
the opposition-led Congress, according to presidential aide Ernesto Leal.
The referendum option has been sent to the two parties, said Leal.
"What I can say is that it is important to listen to the voice of people," he
told reporters after a meeting between Insulza and Bolaños.
The political discord erupted late last year when the National Assembly
revised the constitution, stipulating that Congress has the final say over
the appointment of Cabinet members and ambassadors accredited to foreign
countries. The powers are traditionally held by the president.
Bolaños and his government have rejected the reforms, citing a ruling by the
Central American Court of Justice which deemed Nicaragua's constitutional
reforms inapplicable, saying they limit the power of the executive branch in
appointing ministers and diplomats.
The tension escalated last week when Congress designated new directors in the
public services sector like telecommunications to replace those named by
Bolaños.
In response, the president ordered police to block the designees from taking
office.
*MERCOSUR Summit Opens in Paraguay
The MERCOSUR Summit opens Monday in Asunción, Paraguay, to debate an array of
regional issues, in particular how to strengthen integration and the
inclusion of Venezuela as a full member.
The 28th plenary meeting of the Southern Common Market, top MERCOSUR
political body, finalized on Sunday the agenda for the Summit of Heads of
States.
On Saturday, MERCOSUR foreign ministers looked into the agenda the presidents
will debate, whose main issue is the signing of the Structural Converge Fund
to fight poverty, which had been approved in the Brazilian city of Ouro Preto
in 2004.
They will also sign a letter of rights for MERCOSUR citizens to develop
education and solve infrastructure problems, as well as create a network of
gas and electric pipelines linking South American nations.
With this summit, Paraguay will hand over the pro tempore presidency to
Uruguay, which during the next six months will boost social integration under
the slogan "We are MERCOSUR."
Besides Paraguay´s President Nicanor Duarte and Uruguay´s Tabare Vazquez, the
high level meeting will be attended by Chile´s Head of State Ricardo Lagos,
Ecuador´s Alfredo Palacio, Colombia´s Alvaro Uribe and Venezuela´s Hugo
Chavez.
Venezuela will complete in Asunción all the requirements to join MERCOSUR as
full member by signing the Protocol of Ushuaia, in effect since 1998, and the
Presidential Statement on Democratic Commitment.
*Venezuelan Military Confirms Plot to Assassinate Hugo Chavez
Venezuelan officers confirmed Sunday the existence of a plot to assassinate
President Hugo Chavez, that´s why the site of the parade for the anniversary
of the Battle of Carabobo on June 24 has been changed.
Defense minister, General in Chief Jorge Luis García Carneiro, and Army
Commander, Division General Raul Baduel, told media that the evidence
recommended not to expose Chavez to unnecessary danger.
This time, the annual parade will not be staged in the traditional site of
the decisive battle for national independence, but at the military compound
of Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas, probably with the presence of the head of State.
Div. Gral. Baduel stressed that so far President Chavez has underlined his
desire to preside over the parade.
He told mass media the event on Army´s Day will have the participation of the
Army´s Air Command and a representation of land units.
Venezuelan authorities have ruled the involvement of active military in the
assassination plot, which is attributed to individuals residing abroad,
mainly ex military linked to the failed coup of 2002 and internal opposition
groups.
For his part, Defense Minister García Carneiro said Chavez will attend public
celebration for Independence Day next July 5th, though under strict security
measures.
He added that the president will not ride on a convertible car as it was
scheduled in the parade for the occasion and his presence in the main
platform will be short.
"We´ll step up measures because he risks too much and fears nothing. We have
to hold him up," the high ranking officer pointed out.
García Carneiro explained that "worrying reports" combine with the US
government´s recent failure at the Organization of American States and
augmented accusations against Venezuela to reinforce the likelihood of an
assassination plot.
* South Summit Rejects US Blockade of Cuba
The Group of 77 plus China expressed strong rejection of the US blockade
against Cuba in the meeting´s final declaration approved Thursday, Granma
daily highlights Friday.
The final text also pronounced for respect of the UN Charter´s principles, in
defense of multilateralism and against terrorism.
At the end of the meeting, the leaders of the Group, plus China, agreed
higher efforts must be made to revive and improve collaboration among
developing nations, as those links complement South-North relations.
Meanwhile, meeting participants noted the role of South-South cooperation in
a multilateral context is seen as a continuous, vital process for developing
countries to face emerging challenges.
*Embassy red-lines Centro El Pueblo
The U.S. Embassy has ruled the Centro Comercial El Pueblo to be off -limits
to its employees because of a wild shooting incident that killed a guard.
The embassy passed its decision along to the public via its Web site.
The Centro Comercial El Pueblo is located in Barrio Tournon in the north
central part of San José and is a popular nightspot with a handful of bars
that offer dancing. The center also is where a number of souvenir stores are
located.
The shooting took place about 3:30 a.m. June 10. Two groups of individuals
were ordered out of the center because they had been fighting. One man pulled
a machine pistol from his vehicle and sprayed the buildings. The dead man was
Ricardo Richard Campbell, 44, who worked for a private firm. He was killed as
he hustled customers in the Ebony 56 bar to safety.
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*News Digest
=========================================
SO, YA WANNA MOVE TO COSTA RICA?
=========================================
Announcing Costa Rica's FIRST online, multimedia,
always up to date, and FREE retirement and tourism
guide! See us at:
---->http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/wanna/forward.htm
OTHER SERVICES WE OFFER:
*Real Estate, mortgages [both lenders and borrowers needed,
Buyer's brokerage, Businesses for sale and opportunities,
all at: http://www.cr-realestate.com
*Insurance, Gold & Silver Exchange, e-commerce solutions,
innovative shipping solutions, and much more:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/business.htm
DESTINY WORLDWIDE -- THE SERVICES YOU NEED, AT PRICES YOU
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Please send your discussion topics to our Costa
Rica discussion group. You will either get an
answer from us, or another helpful member of
the group, and really important issues will be
included in this digest!
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*Thousands of Illegals Live in Fear of New Immigration Law
Many foreigners, especially Nicaraguans who come to Costa Rica looking for a
better opportunity, are living the fear that soon, very soon, the Policía de
Migración - immigration police - will visit their place of work in search of
illegals.
The immigration department estimates some 500.000 foreigners in Costa of
which 1/3 are believed to be in the country illegally.
The fear is real as the new Ley de Migración was approved in the first round
of debate on June 7 and is expected to be pass on the second round.
Legislative Deputies are concerned about the constitutionality of the new law
and thus have asked the Constitutional Court to comment before second debate
begins.
The new law would give the immigration department the authority to visit
places of employment and ask for documentation. The new law would also make
it illegal for anyone to traffick in illegals, including giving employment or
harbouring illegals.
Article 63 of the new immigration law states that anyone entering the country
in an illegal manner cannot apply for legal status or be allowed to remain
illegally, meaning they will be deported if detected.
Marco Badilla, immigration director, admits that it is not clear what will
happen to all the illegals now in the country. Their future will be
determined as the law evolves and is put into practice.
Badilla added that there exists the possibility that the government may make
some exceptions, like the amnesty program for Nicaraguans some years back,
however, his department is not in agreement.
Critics say that the government is not taking into account the economic
contribution this group (illegals) make, providing menial labour that Costa
Ricans don't want to do, like domestic work and in construction.
Nicaraguans mainly provide the coffee industry with a temporary labour force,
such that the Instituto del Café de Costa Rica (Icafé) began last year a
hotline for coffee producers to post their labour requirements which is
mainly filled by foreigners coming to Costa Rica illegally.
In addition, during the last crop season, the government passed a regulation
that makes the movement of foreign labour (Nicaraguans) much easier and
without many restrictions. Nicaraguans who depend on the Costa Rican coffee
crop can now move with much more freedom, providing the coffee industry with
a vital source of labour.
Badilla defends his position assuring that the new law is only to form a base
for immigration policies and not a persecution.
By the numbers
According to immigration data for the year 2004
Number of visitors refused entry: 46.552
Number of persons deported: 1.031
Number of refugees living in Costa Rica: 11.000
Number of foreigners in Costa Rican jails: 903
Number of foreign students: 45.900
Number of persons entering Costa Rica: 1.838.188
Number of persons leaving Costa Rica: 1.801.839
*Immigration In Action!
The Fuerza Pública assisting the Policía Especial de Migración (immigration
police) descended on various beach communities in an operation to detect and
detain illegals in Costa Rica.
In Jacó beach, the operation included visits to bars, cantinas and various
nightspots.
The operation began around 11pm and ran until 5am along with the support of
the Policía de Transito who operates several roadblocks in the area,
including Esparsa (east of Puntarenas) and Orotina.
Transit officials checked cars going in and out of the area, while the Fuerza
Publica assisted immigration officers in the various clubs and discos.
In total, officials say they interviewed 400 people of which 84 were
foreigners visiting the popular beach town. Of those 27 were found to have
irregular migratory status.
Of the 27, 19 were Nicaraguans, 5 Colombians, 2 Argentines and one American.
*Improved Economic Outlook
The international risk assessment agency Standard & Poor's improved its
economic outlook for Costa Rica.
The agency upgraded from "negative" to "stable" the ability of the Government
of Costa Rica to honor its external debts.
This is the outcome of what the agency deems an improvement in the fiscal
management during the last year, the likelihood of improved revenues, and a
lower public deficit, mainly.
However, Standard & Poor's does not omit that Costa Rica remains subject to
risks such as an elevated use of dollar in every day transactions and the
regulation of the banking sector.
The Minister of Finance Federico Carrillo and the president of the Central
Bank Francisco Gutierrez stated satisfaction at the news.
Carrillo pointed out that if the fiscal reform that the Government is
promoting is finally approved by the Legislative Assembly, it will be
possible to continue the capitalization of the Central Bank, therefore
lowering inflation, a step to modify the exchange rate, one of the incentives
for the use of the dollar instead of the local currency.
Gutierrez pointed out that the news is excellent, since it will eventually
enable the country to lower the interest rates, acting upon the perception of
lower external risk.
*Heredia Festival This Week
Music, theatre, dance, closes, puppets, acrobats, artist and artisans are all
on hand for the Festival Nacional de Las Artes in Heredia.
All week, different activities are being planned in different places and
times so that everyone can enjoy the festivities.
The Festival is geared to all ages and background and promises to entertain.
Each night at 9:30 there will be a free live concert at the Parque de
Heredia.
*"Godfather of Costa Rican poker players" competes in the World Series of
Poker
Humberto Brenes, the godfather of Costa Rican poker, member of the "Costa
Rica Connection" and one of professional poker's most beloved players is
taking on the world's best in The World Series of Poker (WSOP), the largest
poker tournament in the world.
es.sportsbook.com, the Spanish edition of the largest sportsbook on the
planet is currently offering odds on Brenes and all of the top professional
and celebrity players in the tournament.
Brenes sits currently at 1250-1 odds, with favorites Daniel Negreanu and Phil
Ivey both at 300-1. Hollywood stars such as Ben Affleck (2500-1) and Ed
Norton (7500-1), both very accomplished players on the celebrity tour, are
considered long shots for the title according to es.sportsbook.com fans.
Brenes learned how to play poker from his father at age 7 and began playing
poker tournaments a decade ago after a successful career playing baccarat and
craps tournaments throughout the Bahamas.
Brenes, who maintains homes in Costa Rica and Miami Lakes, Florida, runs a
number of successful businesses in Costa Rica including a construction
company. Brenes has won two world poker championships.
Poker is now one of North America's largest pastimes - both online and
face-to-face - and continues to grow in popularity as more tournaments are
created. The WSOP Championship Event takes place July 7 to 15 at the Rio All
Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
"We expect that Humberto will be a huge draw for Latin fans, adding to an
already gigantic audience for this event," said Tony Delgado, Marketing
Director es.sportsbook.com.
"Poker lovers who don't have a seat at the table have plenty of opportunity
on es.sportsbook.com to get involved with wagers on their favorite players."
* China, Costa Rica Draw 2-2
China and Costa Rica drew 2-2 in the first of two "friendlies" to be played
in China.
Sunday's game was China's first international match on home turf since the
national team was reorganized this year under new manager Zhu Guanghu.
China scored first through midfielder Zhang Yaokun in the 28th minute.
Costa Rica made it 1-1 12 minutes into the second half with a header from
Mauricio Solis, who had been set up by teammate Brian Ruiz. Costa Rica then
took the lead with a free-kick by Ronald Gomez in the 75th minute.
Chinese defender Sun Xiang made it 2-2 with a shot in the 80th minute.
A second friendly is scheduled to be played in the southern city of Guangzhou
on Wednesday.
China is struggling to recover after its elimination from the World Cup in
qualifying rounds last November.
Zhu was appointed in March and is the first Chinese manager to lead the team
in a decade.
*OAS chief warns of crisis in Nicaragua after failed mission
The newly elected chief of the Organization of American States (OAS) warned
of a crisis in Nicaragua Sunday at the end of his four-day political
mediation mission in the Central American country.
OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza, who was last month elected to the
post, said he had "genuine reasons for concern, although society continues to
function."
Warning of "a profound political division" which could develop into a crisis,
he appealed to Nicaraguan politicians to make concessions to avoid it.
"It is necessary to make concessions," Insulza stressed, vowing to continue
the mediation.
The former Chilean interior minister has tried unsuccessfully to bridge
differences between Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños and the opposition
parties over constitutional reforms, which Bolaños sees as steps to cripple
his powers.
The OAS chief, who arrived in Managua Wednesday, reportedly proposed that
Bolaños accept a more powerful legislature in exchange for peace with the two
parties -- the leftist Sandinista National Liberation Front and the
right-wing Constitutional Liberal Party.
Bolaños, who has repeatedly sought OAS help to ease a crisis, rejected the
offer which he views as against the "basic democratic principles."
The president instead proposed Saturday that a national referendum be held
during the next general election in 2006 on the forms recently approved by
the opposition-led Congress, according to presidential aide Ernesto Leal.
The referendum option has been sent to the two parties, said Leal.
"What I can say is that it is important to listen to the voice of people," he
told reporters after a meeting between Insulza and Bolaños.
The political discord erupted late last year when the National Assembly
revised the constitution, stipulating that Congress has the final say over
the appointment of Cabinet members and ambassadors accredited to foreign
countries. The powers are traditionally held by the president.
Bolaños and his government have rejected the reforms, citing a ruling by the
Central American Court of Justice which deemed Nicaragua's constitutional
reforms inapplicable, saying they limit the power of the executive branch in
appointing ministers and diplomats.
The tension escalated last week when Congress designated new directors in the
public services sector like telecommunications to replace those named by
Bolaños.
In response, the president ordered police to block the designees from taking
office.
*MERCOSUR Summit Opens in Paraguay
The MERCOSUR Summit opens Monday in Asunción, Paraguay, to debate an array of
regional issues, in particular how to strengthen integration and the
inclusion of Venezuela as a full member.
The 28th plenary meeting of the Southern Common Market, top MERCOSUR
political body, finalized on Sunday the agenda for the Summit of Heads of
States.
On Saturday, MERCOSUR foreign ministers looked into the agenda the presidents
will debate, whose main issue is the signing of the Structural Converge Fund
to fight poverty, which had been approved in the Brazilian city of Ouro Preto
in 2004.
They will also sign a letter of rights for MERCOSUR citizens to develop
education and solve infrastructure problems, as well as create a network of
gas and electric pipelines linking South American nations.
With this summit, Paraguay will hand over the pro tempore presidency to
Uruguay, which during the next six months will boost social integration under
the slogan "We are MERCOSUR."
Besides Paraguay´s President Nicanor Duarte and Uruguay´s Tabare Vazquez, the
high level meeting will be attended by Chile´s Head of State Ricardo Lagos,
Ecuador´s Alfredo Palacio, Colombia´s Alvaro Uribe and Venezuela´s Hugo
Chavez.
Venezuela will complete in Asunción all the requirements to join MERCOSUR as
full member by signing the Protocol of Ushuaia, in effect since 1998, and the
Presidential Statement on Democratic Commitment.
*Venezuelan Military Confirms Plot to Assassinate Hugo Chavez
Venezuelan officers confirmed Sunday the existence of a plot to assassinate
President Hugo Chavez, that´s why the site of the parade for the anniversary
of the Battle of Carabobo on June 24 has been changed.
Defense minister, General in Chief Jorge Luis García Carneiro, and Army
Commander, Division General Raul Baduel, told media that the evidence
recommended not to expose Chavez to unnecessary danger.
This time, the annual parade will not be staged in the traditional site of
the decisive battle for national independence, but at the military compound
of Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas, probably with the presence of the head of State.
Div. Gral. Baduel stressed that so far President Chavez has underlined his
desire to preside over the parade.
He told mass media the event on Army´s Day will have the participation of the
Army´s Air Command and a representation of land units.
Venezuelan authorities have ruled the involvement of active military in the
assassination plot, which is attributed to individuals residing abroad,
mainly ex military linked to the failed coup of 2002 and internal opposition
groups.
For his part, Defense Minister García Carneiro said Chavez will attend public
celebration for Independence Day next July 5th, though under strict security
measures.
He added that the president will not ride on a convertible car as it was
scheduled in the parade for the occasion and his presence in the main
platform will be short.
"We´ll step up measures because he risks too much and fears nothing. We have
to hold him up," the high ranking officer pointed out.
García Carneiro explained that "worrying reports" combine with the US
government´s recent failure at the Organization of American States and
augmented accusations against Venezuela to reinforce the likelihood of an
assassination plot.
* South Summit Rejects US Blockade of Cuba
The Group of 77 plus China expressed strong rejection of the US blockade
against Cuba in the meeting´s final declaration approved Thursday, Granma
daily highlights Friday.
The final text also pronounced for respect of the UN Charter´s principles, in
defense of multilateralism and against terrorism.
At the end of the meeting, the leaders of the Group, plus China, agreed
higher efforts must be made to revive and improve collaboration among
developing nations, as those links complement South-North relations.
Meanwhile, meeting participants noted the role of South-South cooperation in
a multilateral context is seen as a continuous, vital process for developing
countries to face emerging challenges.
*Embassy red-lines Centro El Pueblo
The U.S. Embassy has ruled the Centro Comercial El Pueblo to be off -limits
to its employees because of a wild shooting incident that killed a guard.
The embassy passed its decision along to the public via its Web site.
The Centro Comercial El Pueblo is located in Barrio Tournon in the north
central part of San José and is a popular nightspot with a handful of bars
that offer dancing. The center also is where a number of souvenir stores are
located.
The shooting took place about 3:30 a.m. June 10. Two groups of individuals
were ordered out of the center because they had been fighting. One man pulled
a machine pistol from his vehicle and sprayed the buildings. The dead man was
Ricardo Richard Campbell, 44, who worked for a private firm. He was killed as
he hustled customers in the Ebony 56 bar to safety.
=========================================
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have for advertisements. Advertisements are filled
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depending on placement and frequency. You must order
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We give you hard hitting, timely, common sense articles and
news that the mainstream, or corporate media, either will
not or cannot give you. Several times a week we bring you
an up to date digest on what is going on in the world around
you.
At The Costa Rica Digest, we don't give you hype or BS or
"common knowledge" solutions, but we aim to give you
the cutting edge information you need. If you wish to
become a writer for us, submit your article[s] for
approval to costarica@destiny-worldwide.net. We cannot
pay for articles, but, instead, you may include a resource
box at the end of your article promoting your website
or product. We welcome submissions of all kinds to
make this a great publication for all to read!
=========================================
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=========================================
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
=========================================
>>Costa Rica News Digest<<
=========================================
A publication of Destiny Worldwide Net
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
Also Visit the Costa Rica Page:
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NEWS DIGEST
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*Average Rating for Pacheco
Support for President Abel Pacheco fell this month in Costa Rica, according
to a poll by Demoscopia published in Al Día. 49% respondents rate the
president’s performance as average, while 22% consider it good.
Pacheco - of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) - was elected in a
run-off in April 2002 with 58%t of the vote. Costa Rican voters will elect
Pacheco’s successor in February 2006.
In May 2004, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
agreed to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United
States. The Dominican Republic followed suit in August. The agreement - which
would reduce or eliminate taxes and tariffs on imports - still has to be
approved by each country’s legislative branch. Pacheco has postponed debate
on CAFTA until the National Congress approves a series of bills related to
the country’s fiscal system.
Last week, the Costa Rican president was hospitalized for three days due to
hypertension.
Pacheco has recently been criticized for allegedly accepting corporate gifts,
which may include a membership in a Dominican Republic club and airline
vouchers.
The president has denied any wrongdoing. Vice-president Lineth Saborío said
the government is "totally willing to help with the judiciary’s investigation
on this matter."
Polling Data
How would you rate Abel Pacheco’s performance as president?
Jun. 2005 Dec. 2004
Good / Very Good 22% 28%
Average 49% 54%
Bad / Very Bad 14% 17%
Source: Demoscopia / Al Día
Methodology: Interviews to 1,200 Costa Rican adults, conducted from May 21 to
Jun. 1, 2005. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.
*Rodriguez May Head Back to Jail
First he in jail. Then he is out. Then back in jail again. And then back out
again. And, now he may be going back, if the Ministerio Público gets it wish,
as former president Miguel Angel Rodriguez' house arrest order expires today
(June 14).
The former president and former head of the Organization of American States
(OAS) left the La Reforma penitentiary for house arrest after spending five
months in preventive detention, accused of corruption and illegal enrichment.
Rodriguez paid ¢250 million colones (us$520.000) in bail to secure his
freedom from the prison and confined to comfort of his luxury home in Escazú.
The Ministerio Público yesterday made a request that the former president be
held in preventive detention for an additional four months while it continues
it's investigation.
Rodriguez was president of Costa Rica between 1998 and 2002, preceding Abel
Pacheco and was installed as Secretarty General of the OAS on September 15,
2004. He returned to Costa Rica voluntarily on October 15, 2004, resigning
his post at OAS only one month in office, to face the charges against him in
Costa Rica.
The former president was taken off the airplane in handcuffs by judicial
officials on arrival. In his time, he has been making charges that his rights
have been violated and has spoken openly to the press on how he has been
treated.
For their part, the Fiscalía has not wavered and is proceeding with the
investigation of how Rodriguez gained from the Alcatel contract that
installed 400.000 GSM cellular lines in Costa Rica and his receiving more
than us$1 million dollars from the Government of Taiwan.
A judge's decision is expected today on the fate of the former president.
*Wide Band Internet Now Active
As of yesterday, all Costa Ricans can now access the internet over a wide
band known as Red de Internet Avanzada.
Using ADSL, customers, especially those in areas outside of San José, at
higher speeds than that offered by dial up.
The services offered by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE)
will cost $25 monthly for a connection up to 128kbs and $43 for up to 256kbs.
Higher speeds are available at a higher cost, which according to ICE, will be
competitive with the services offered by cable modem, which charges $70 per
month on speeds up to 512kbs.
ADSL means customers can now connect to the internet permanently by using
their telephone without tying up the line for voice communications. A special
"router" is used to connect the computer to the internet on the same
telephone line. The same telephone line transmits both data and voice
communications at the same time.
However, customers who are signing up to also take advantage of the low cost
for international calling using VOiP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) will be
disappointed. Recent tests show that the services like Vonage, a leader in
the US of VOiP services will not work properly using ADSL but does using
cable modem.
ICE announced earlier this year that it intends to stop the use of VOiP, a
system that is slowly cutting into it's international calls revenue. It is
not clear how ICE plans to cut off VOiP users.
ICE says the first phase of the project will see 74.000 customers connected
and another 100.000 by the first quarter of next year. Currently, ICE has
only 10.000 ADSL customers connected.
COMMENT: ICE needs a reality check, and it and its lazy union members need to
come into the modern world. If ICE somehow shuts down VOIP, then look for
global businesses to locate elsewhere. VOIP is a fact of life, and what use
is high speed internet without it? That's one of the main reasons for having
the service. If they think they can buck the worldwide trend of VOIP and
advanced telecommunications, and still allow Costa Rica to be part of the
modern world, they are sadly mistaken.
*Cash Withdrawls Can Cost
Getting your money from an automated teller machine (ATM) or from a bank
teller at your local branch may actually cost you.
A study by the Ministerio de Economía (Ecomony Ministry) of 21 private and
public banks reveals that financial transactions cost the customer as some
banks, but most customers don't know it.
And that was the scope of the study by the Ministerio de Economía, who says
that customers should be told of the cost of each transaction, be it at an
ATM or at a teller.
The study shows the some banks charge from ¢50 colones to ¢350 colones for an
ATM transaction and up to ¢500 colones at a teller is the balance is below
the minimum at the time of the withdrawl.
In addition, some banks charge their customers an annual for issuing them a
"debit card" that can range from ¢1.000 colones to ¢3.500 colones.
Debit cards are plastic that is used in lieu of cash. The Banco Nacional, a
state bank, charges it's customers for the privilege of having one of their
debit cards, while the other state bank, Banco de Costa Rica and many private
banks like Scotiabank and Interfin do not.
ATM's operted by the ATH network are free to use to most customers of private
banks. However, ATM's operated by the BAC San José, anothe private bank using
the Red Total network can charge up o $3 per transaction.
Foreigners have in the past complained about excessive costs added to their
statement for the use of ATM's in Costa Rica to withdraw cash while on their
visit. Some of those charges are from their banks, but many are from the bank
operating the ATM.
If you have an account a bank in Costa Rica it advised that you check with
your bank on the cost of the use of their ATM's and that of competitors, as
well as the cost associated with their debit card.
Customers can also call the Ministerio de Economía hotline at 800 866 7866 to
get more information or lodge a complaint.
*Looking to Get a Cellular Telephone?
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) - the local telephone
company - announced that it has lines available to those customers who have
made an earlier request.
ICE is asking all those who have made a request for TDMA service and their
number is below 25.000, they can visit any ICE telephone office between June
15 and June 22 and get connected.
Customers will have to present a copy of their residency cedula, an invoice
for the telephone unit and pay the ¢12.500 deposit.
*123 Traffic Deaths To Date, Down From Last Year
According to statistics released by the Dirección de Tránsito, 123 persons
have lost their lives in traffic accidents so far this year. The number
represents a decrease of 32 deaths for the same period last year.
Juan Manuel Delgado, a director at Tránsito, indicates that in May there were
2.930 traffic related injuries, bringing the total for the first five months
of the year to 19.761.
As to traffic violations for this year (tickets issued by Tránsitos), Delgado
says the number is 127.804.
Costa Rican roads have become lately become the scene of many violent deaths.
Tránsito officials attribute this to alcohol and excessive speeding.
The provinces with the highest number of deaths and injuries are Alajuela,
followed by San Josß, Limón, Guanacaste, Cartago, Heredia and Puntarenas.
*Nicaraguan defense minister resigns
Nicaragua's Defense Minister Jose Adan Guerra has presented a letter of
resignation, which will become effective on Wednesday, Nicaraguan President
Enrique Bolaños said Monday.
"The agreement with minister Guerra was that he was to leave after the
presentation of the White Book on Nicaragua's defense needs on June 15,"
Bolaños told a press conference.
The White Book, which will define the country's defense and security policy,
has entered its final stage before release after wrapping up a consultation
process with different social sectors on May 14.
According to Presidency Minister Ernesto Leal, Bolaños has yet to decide who
is going to succeed Guerra.
*Strong earthquake kills 8 in Chile
Eight people were killed in the strong earthquake that jolted Tarapaca of
Chile on Monday morning and no Chinese nor overseas Chinese was reported in
casualty, according to local authorities.
The quake measuring 8.1 on the Richter Scale occurred at 6:44 a.m. Beijing
time on Tuesday (GMT 22:44 on Monday).
According to China's earthquake monitoring network, the epicenter was located
at 19.9 degree south latitude and 69.2 degree west longitude, about 110
kilometers northeast of Tarapaca's capital Iquique and some 1,800 kilometers
north of Santiago, the Chilean capital.
Although the epicenter is in the sparsely-populated mountain areas of the
Andes, some large cities, like Iquique and Arica, suffered from a cut-off of
power and water supply, local government announced.
*Venezuela accuses US of destabilizing world
The United States is "the most destabilizing force in the world" and its
policy toward Caracas "has been a failure," Venezuelan Communication and
Information Minister Andres Izarra said Monday.
His remarks came after General John Craddock, commander-in-chief of the US
Southern Command, said in a recent interview with the US daily The New Herald
that Venezuela is a "destabilizing" factor in the region.
The influence of Venezuela among its neighbors is creating a destabilizing
situation posing a danger to the hemisphere, Craddock said.
Izarra refuted the US general's accusation, saying, "Our opinion is that the
most destabilizing force, not only in the region, but in the whole world, is
the United States, which invades countries and arrests individuals in
violation of their human rights."
Craddock's accusation is a continuation of the same "story being repeated by
the US State Department, in a policy that has led to many failures recently,"
Izarra said.
Venezuela and the United States have been at loggerheads since Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez took office six years ago.
Caracas criticized Washington for supporting an abortive coup aimed at
overthrowing the Chavez government in April 2002. Chavez also said Washington
had plans to invade Venezuela and assassinate him, but the US government
denied the charges.
*Nicaraguan Debt Cancellation by G8 Does Not Solve all Problems
Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños said cancellation of the foreign debt by
the Group of the Eight (G8) is good news, but does not solve the country´s
serious indebtedness and social problems.
Nicaragua was included in the 18 poor African and Latin American nations that
will benefit from the debt cancellation that totals some $16.7 billion.
Bolaños told the press he does not know how much the amount is, because G8
has not yet said on what basis the cancellation will be.
The president said that will be announced in July, when the heads of State
and Government meet in Scotland, although he expects it is in the order of a
billion US dollars.
According to experts, the economic adjustments carried out have the objective
of complying with the regulations of the International Monetary Fund and the
World Bank.
The sources asserted that in a short time or no time at all, they have helped
reduce poverty, hunger, and unemployment rates in the nation that remains the
poorest of the sub region and the second poorest country in Latin America,
after Haiti.
=========================================
COSTA RICA DIGEST DISPLAY AD RATES
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This publication is designed to have one display add
between each article or section. Thus, the more
articles or sections we have per day, the more room we
have for advertisements. Advertisements are filled
on a first come first served basis, and prices vary
depending on placement and frequency. You must order
a minimum of 5 insertions with your order. If there
are no advertising positions available right away,
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at destinads@safe-mail.net for more details.
One final note, if you want to do a solo mailing
to the list, that is available on a limited basis
if we decide that your product or service has merit.
Email us at the above address for more details.
=========================================
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We give you hard hitting, timely, common sense articles and
news that the mainstream, or corporate media, either will
not or cannot give you. Several times a week we bring you
an up to date digest on what is going on in the world around
you.
At The Costa Rica Digest, we don't give you hype or BS or
"common knowledge" solutions, but we aim to give you
the cutting edge information you need. If you wish to
become a writer for us, submit your article[s] for
approval to costarica@destiny-worldwide.net. We cannot
pay for articles, but, instead, you may include a resource
box at the end of your article promoting your website
or product. We welcome submissions of all kinds to
make this a great publication for all to read!
=========================================
Find out about our OTHER Exciting E-mail groups on a broad
range of important topics. Subscription boxes for all of
them may be found here:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/boards.htm
The Restoration Website:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/rcg/
Destiny Central Success Resources
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The Costa Rica Page --
The Fun, the Sun.... The business opportunity
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/
Your Safe, Secure, Offshore Payment Processor
http://www.offshorearnings.com
-----------------> Visit our Blogs! <-----------------
----> SuccessQuest http://successquest.blogspot.com/
----> The Real Truth http://destiny-worldwide.blogspot.com/
----> Costa Rica News http://costa-rica-news.blogspot.com/
=========================================
>>Costa Rica News Digest<<
=========================================
A publication of Destiny Worldwide Net
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
Also Visit the Costa Rica Page:
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Subscribe: costa-rica-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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=========================================
TODAY'S CONTENTS
=========================================
*News Digest
=========================================
SO, YA WANNA MOVE TO COSTA RICA?
=========================================
Announcing Costa Rica's FIRST online, multimedia,
always up to date, and FREE retirement and tourism
guide! See us at:
---->http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/wanna/forward.htm
OTHER SERVICES WE OFFER:
*Real Estate, mortgages [both lenders and borrowers needed,
Buyer's brokerage, Businesses for sale and opportunities,
all at: http://www.cr-realestate.com
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*Average Rating for Pacheco
Support for President Abel Pacheco fell this month in Costa Rica, according
to a poll by Demoscopia published in Al Día. 49% respondents rate the
president’s performance as average, while 22% consider it good.
Pacheco - of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) - was elected in a
run-off in April 2002 with 58%t of the vote. Costa Rican voters will elect
Pacheco’s successor in February 2006.
In May 2004, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
agreed to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United
States. The Dominican Republic followed suit in August. The agreement - which
would reduce or eliminate taxes and tariffs on imports - still has to be
approved by each country’s legislative branch. Pacheco has postponed debate
on CAFTA until the National Congress approves a series of bills related to
the country’s fiscal system.
Last week, the Costa Rican president was hospitalized for three days due to
hypertension.
Pacheco has recently been criticized for allegedly accepting corporate gifts,
which may include a membership in a Dominican Republic club and airline
vouchers.
The president has denied any wrongdoing. Vice-president Lineth Saborío said
the government is "totally willing to help with the judiciary’s investigation
on this matter."
Polling Data
How would you rate Abel Pacheco’s performance as president?
Jun. 2005 Dec. 2004
Good / Very Good 22% 28%
Average 49% 54%
Bad / Very Bad 14% 17%
Source: Demoscopia / Al Día
Methodology: Interviews to 1,200 Costa Rican adults, conducted from May 21 to
Jun. 1, 2005. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.
*Rodriguez May Head Back to Jail
First he in jail. Then he is out. Then back in jail again. And then back out
again. And, now he may be going back, if the Ministerio Público gets it wish,
as former president Miguel Angel Rodriguez' house arrest order expires today
(June 14).
The former president and former head of the Organization of American States
(OAS) left the La Reforma penitentiary for house arrest after spending five
months in preventive detention, accused of corruption and illegal enrichment.
Rodriguez paid ¢250 million colones (us$520.000) in bail to secure his
freedom from the prison and confined to comfort of his luxury home in Escazú.
The Ministerio Público yesterday made a request that the former president be
held in preventive detention for an additional four months while it continues
it's investigation.
Rodriguez was president of Costa Rica between 1998 and 2002, preceding Abel
Pacheco and was installed as Secretarty General of the OAS on September 15,
2004. He returned to Costa Rica voluntarily on October 15, 2004, resigning
his post at OAS only one month in office, to face the charges against him in
Costa Rica.
The former president was taken off the airplane in handcuffs by judicial
officials on arrival. In his time, he has been making charges that his rights
have been violated and has spoken openly to the press on how he has been
treated.
For their part, the Fiscalía has not wavered and is proceeding with the
investigation of how Rodriguez gained from the Alcatel contract that
installed 400.000 GSM cellular lines in Costa Rica and his receiving more
than us$1 million dollars from the Government of Taiwan.
A judge's decision is expected today on the fate of the former president.
*Wide Band Internet Now Active
As of yesterday, all Costa Ricans can now access the internet over a wide
band known as Red de Internet Avanzada.
Using ADSL, customers, especially those in areas outside of San José, at
higher speeds than that offered by dial up.
The services offered by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE)
will cost $25 monthly for a connection up to 128kbs and $43 for up to 256kbs.
Higher speeds are available at a higher cost, which according to ICE, will be
competitive with the services offered by cable modem, which charges $70 per
month on speeds up to 512kbs.
ADSL means customers can now connect to the internet permanently by using
their telephone without tying up the line for voice communications. A special
"router" is used to connect the computer to the internet on the same
telephone line. The same telephone line transmits both data and voice
communications at the same time.
However, customers who are signing up to also take advantage of the low cost
for international calling using VOiP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) will be
disappointed. Recent tests show that the services like Vonage, a leader in
the US of VOiP services will not work properly using ADSL but does using
cable modem.
ICE announced earlier this year that it intends to stop the use of VOiP, a
system that is slowly cutting into it's international calls revenue. It is
not clear how ICE plans to cut off VOiP users.
ICE says the first phase of the project will see 74.000 customers connected
and another 100.000 by the first quarter of next year. Currently, ICE has
only 10.000 ADSL customers connected.
COMMENT: ICE needs a reality check, and it and its lazy union members need to
come into the modern world. If ICE somehow shuts down VOIP, then look for
global businesses to locate elsewhere. VOIP is a fact of life, and what use
is high speed internet without it? That's one of the main reasons for having
the service. If they think they can buck the worldwide trend of VOIP and
advanced telecommunications, and still allow Costa Rica to be part of the
modern world, they are sadly mistaken.
*Cash Withdrawls Can Cost
Getting your money from an automated teller machine (ATM) or from a bank
teller at your local branch may actually cost you.
A study by the Ministerio de Economía (Ecomony Ministry) of 21 private and
public banks reveals that financial transactions cost the customer as some
banks, but most customers don't know it.
And that was the scope of the study by the Ministerio de Economía, who says
that customers should be told of the cost of each transaction, be it at an
ATM or at a teller.
The study shows the some banks charge from ¢50 colones to ¢350 colones for an
ATM transaction and up to ¢500 colones at a teller is the balance is below
the minimum at the time of the withdrawl.
In addition, some banks charge their customers an annual for issuing them a
"debit card" that can range from ¢1.000 colones to ¢3.500 colones.
Debit cards are plastic that is used in lieu of cash. The Banco Nacional, a
state bank, charges it's customers for the privilege of having one of their
debit cards, while the other state bank, Banco de Costa Rica and many private
banks like Scotiabank and Interfin do not.
ATM's operted by the ATH network are free to use to most customers of private
banks. However, ATM's operated by the BAC San José, anothe private bank using
the Red Total network can charge up o $3 per transaction.
Foreigners have in the past complained about excessive costs added to their
statement for the use of ATM's in Costa Rica to withdraw cash while on their
visit. Some of those charges are from their banks, but many are from the bank
operating the ATM.
If you have an account a bank in Costa Rica it advised that you check with
your bank on the cost of the use of their ATM's and that of competitors, as
well as the cost associated with their debit card.
Customers can also call the Ministerio de Economía hotline at 800 866 7866 to
get more information or lodge a complaint.
*Looking to Get a Cellular Telephone?
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) - the local telephone
company - announced that it has lines available to those customers who have
made an earlier request.
ICE is asking all those who have made a request for TDMA service and their
number is below 25.000, they can visit any ICE telephone office between June
15 and June 22 and get connected.
Customers will have to present a copy of their residency cedula, an invoice
for the telephone unit and pay the ¢12.500 deposit.
*123 Traffic Deaths To Date, Down From Last Year
According to statistics released by the Dirección de Tránsito, 123 persons
have lost their lives in traffic accidents so far this year. The number
represents a decrease of 32 deaths for the same period last year.
Juan Manuel Delgado, a director at Tránsito, indicates that in May there were
2.930 traffic related injuries, bringing the total for the first five months
of the year to 19.761.
As to traffic violations for this year (tickets issued by Tránsitos), Delgado
says the number is 127.804.
Costa Rican roads have become lately become the scene of many violent deaths.
Tránsito officials attribute this to alcohol and excessive speeding.
The provinces with the highest number of deaths and injuries are Alajuela,
followed by San Josß, Limón, Guanacaste, Cartago, Heredia and Puntarenas.
*Nicaraguan defense minister resigns
Nicaragua's Defense Minister Jose Adan Guerra has presented a letter of
resignation, which will become effective on Wednesday, Nicaraguan President
Enrique Bolaños said Monday.
"The agreement with minister Guerra was that he was to leave after the
presentation of the White Book on Nicaragua's defense needs on June 15,"
Bolaños told a press conference.
The White Book, which will define the country's defense and security policy,
has entered its final stage before release after wrapping up a consultation
process with different social sectors on May 14.
According to Presidency Minister Ernesto Leal, Bolaños has yet to decide who
is going to succeed Guerra.
*Strong earthquake kills 8 in Chile
Eight people were killed in the strong earthquake that jolted Tarapaca of
Chile on Monday morning and no Chinese nor overseas Chinese was reported in
casualty, according to local authorities.
The quake measuring 8.1 on the Richter Scale occurred at 6:44 a.m. Beijing
time on Tuesday (GMT 22:44 on Monday).
According to China's earthquake monitoring network, the epicenter was located
at 19.9 degree south latitude and 69.2 degree west longitude, about 110
kilometers northeast of Tarapaca's capital Iquique and some 1,800 kilometers
north of Santiago, the Chilean capital.
Although the epicenter is in the sparsely-populated mountain areas of the
Andes, some large cities, like Iquique and Arica, suffered from a cut-off of
power and water supply, local government announced.
*Venezuela accuses US of destabilizing world
The United States is "the most destabilizing force in the world" and its
policy toward Caracas "has been a failure," Venezuelan Communication and
Information Minister Andres Izarra said Monday.
His remarks came after General John Craddock, commander-in-chief of the US
Southern Command, said in a recent interview with the US daily The New Herald
that Venezuela is a "destabilizing" factor in the region.
The influence of Venezuela among its neighbors is creating a destabilizing
situation posing a danger to the hemisphere, Craddock said.
Izarra refuted the US general's accusation, saying, "Our opinion is that the
most destabilizing force, not only in the region, but in the whole world, is
the United States, which invades countries and arrests individuals in
violation of their human rights."
Craddock's accusation is a continuation of the same "story being repeated by
the US State Department, in a policy that has led to many failures recently,"
Izarra said.
Venezuela and the United States have been at loggerheads since Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez took office six years ago.
Caracas criticized Washington for supporting an abortive coup aimed at
overthrowing the Chavez government in April 2002. Chavez also said Washington
had plans to invade Venezuela and assassinate him, but the US government
denied the charges.
*Nicaraguan Debt Cancellation by G8 Does Not Solve all Problems
Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños said cancellation of the foreign debt by
the Group of the Eight (G8) is good news, but does not solve the country´s
serious indebtedness and social problems.
Nicaragua was included in the 18 poor African and Latin American nations that
will benefit from the debt cancellation that totals some $16.7 billion.
Bolaños told the press he does not know how much the amount is, because G8
has not yet said on what basis the cancellation will be.
The president said that will be announced in July, when the heads of State
and Government meet in Scotland, although he expects it is in the order of a
billion US dollars.
According to experts, the economic adjustments carried out have the objective
of complying with the regulations of the International Monetary Fund and the
World Bank.
The sources asserted that in a short time or no time at all, they have helped
reduce poverty, hunger, and unemployment rates in the nation that remains the
poorest of the sub region and the second poorest country in Latin America,
after Haiti.
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Friday, June 10, 2005
In between News Digests, we are now proud to present our new NEWS BITES service, which will be mini bites of news as they happen!
After today, this service will ONLY be broadcast to our main costa-rica@yahoogroup.com list, but the regular News Digest will continue to come out twice or three times weekly as needed.
Enjoy!
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NEWS BITES
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Deputy Asks for Hacienda Minister Resignation Over "Cover Up"
Gloria Valerín, a legislative deputy for the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) has asked president Abel Pacheco to fire Hacienda Minister, Federico Carrillo, and is asking the Fiscalía (prosecutor's office) to begin an investigation in the apparent "cover up" by Carrillo of a young man who is accused of rape and happens to also be member of his family.
In addition, Valerín will be asking the Comisión de la Mujer to investigate the case as well.
Valerín is accusing Carrillo of intervening in the case where a young lady was raped outside of a bar in Santa Ana (west of San José) last December 12 by a group of youths well known in the area and accustomed to getting bailed out of trouble by their influent families.
The young lady that was raped was 20 years old and told police that four young men held her pinned to the back seat of their car. The young men did not realize that there were two witnesses outside at the time that promptly called police.
A letter to Valerín by the father of the young girl asked for help in the case, where many strange things have happened. The letter accuses Carrillo of trying to use his influence to help one of the young men, who is his cousin and works at Hacienda.
"These are young men who are used to commit all types of crimes and never see jail because of their families influence on the system", adds the girl's father in his letter.
Forensic evidence points the finger tothe young men accused of the crime, but the young girl's father adds that the men who raped are still free. And that the Minister of Hacienda has talked bad about the girl in the press in defending his cousin, without even knowing her.
Deputy Valerín read the letter to the Legislative Assembly as part of her charges against the Minister and adds that the prosecutor handling the case had requested that the accusers not bother the victim, however, when the young girl was ready to give her testimony to the prosecutor, a former judge who is acting as defense attorney insults the girl's mother. And adds that even though the assailants are not permitted to be in the presence of the girl when she is giving her testimony, one of them is present to frighten the girl and with the approval of the prosecutor.
For his part, Minister Carrillo has refused to speak on the matter and is not making himself available to the press.
* Bolivian Congress accepts president's resignation
Bolivia's Congress Thursday unanimously accepted the resignation of President Carlos Mesa and appointed President of the Supreme Court Eduardo Rodriguez as interim leader of the South American country.
The appointment of Rodriguez came after both Senate leader Hormando Vaca Diez and House leader Mario Cossio refused to accept the post in succession, said reports from Sucre, the constitutional capital of Bolivia.
According to the constitution, the interim president is entitled to call new elections.
The decisions were made by Congress in a quick late-night emergency session without debate.
Late on Monday, Mesa announced his decision to resign after mass anti-government protesters paralyzed the country for several weeks. Earlier this year, he also offered resignation, but was turned down by Congress.
The unrest in Bolivia erupted after the National Congress passed a law on May 17 to levy a 50-percent tax on foreign oil and gas companies operating in Bolivia, which has the second largest gas reserves in South America after Venezuela.
The opposition demands higher taxes on foreign firms and the nationalization of the country's lucrative oil and gas industry.
Demonstrations have escalated into riots since May 24 when demonstrators blocked a downtown square in La Paz, where the executive and legislative branches of government are located, and began to smash windows in buildings and cars in the surrounding streets.
In a bid to halt oil and gas production, hundreds of peasants in the eastern Santa Cruz province have blockaded roads and entrances to four natural gas fields operated by foreign firms
After today, this service will ONLY be broadcast to our main costa-rica@yahoogroup.com list, but the regular News Digest will continue to come out twice or three times weekly as needed.
Enjoy!
John
========================================
NEWS BITES
=========================================
Deputy Asks for Hacienda Minister Resignation Over "Cover Up"
Gloria Valerín, a legislative deputy for the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) has asked president Abel Pacheco to fire Hacienda Minister, Federico Carrillo, and is asking the Fiscalía (prosecutor's office) to begin an investigation in the apparent "cover up" by Carrillo of a young man who is accused of rape and happens to also be member of his family.
In addition, Valerín will be asking the Comisión de la Mujer to investigate the case as well.
Valerín is accusing Carrillo of intervening in the case where a young lady was raped outside of a bar in Santa Ana (west of San José) last December 12 by a group of youths well known in the area and accustomed to getting bailed out of trouble by their influent families.
The young lady that was raped was 20 years old and told police that four young men held her pinned to the back seat of their car. The young men did not realize that there were two witnesses outside at the time that promptly called police.
A letter to Valerín by the father of the young girl asked for help in the case, where many strange things have happened. The letter accuses Carrillo of trying to use his influence to help one of the young men, who is his cousin and works at Hacienda.
"These are young men who are used to commit all types of crimes and never see jail because of their families influence on the system", adds the girl's father in his letter.
Forensic evidence points the finger tothe young men accused of the crime, but the young girl's father adds that the men who raped are still free. And that the Minister of Hacienda has talked bad about the girl in the press in defending his cousin, without even knowing her.
Deputy Valerín read the letter to the Legislative Assembly as part of her charges against the Minister and adds that the prosecutor handling the case had requested that the accusers not bother the victim, however, when the young girl was ready to give her testimony to the prosecutor, a former judge who is acting as defense attorney insults the girl's mother. And adds that even though the assailants are not permitted to be in the presence of the girl when she is giving her testimony, one of them is present to frighten the girl and with the approval of the prosecutor.
For his part, Minister Carrillo has refused to speak on the matter and is not making himself available to the press.
* Bolivian Congress accepts president's resignation
Bolivia's Congress Thursday unanimously accepted the resignation of President Carlos Mesa and appointed President of the Supreme Court Eduardo Rodriguez as interim leader of the South American country.
The appointment of Rodriguez came after both Senate leader Hormando Vaca Diez and House leader Mario Cossio refused to accept the post in succession, said reports from Sucre, the constitutional capital of Bolivia.
According to the constitution, the interim president is entitled to call new elections.
The decisions were made by Congress in a quick late-night emergency session without debate.
Late on Monday, Mesa announced his decision to resign after mass anti-government protesters paralyzed the country for several weeks. Earlier this year, he also offered resignation, but was turned down by Congress.
The unrest in Bolivia erupted after the National Congress passed a law on May 17 to levy a 50-percent tax on foreign oil and gas companies operating in Bolivia, which has the second largest gas reserves in South America after Venezuela.
The opposition demands higher taxes on foreign firms and the nationalization of the country's lucrative oil and gas industry.
Demonstrations have escalated into riots since May 24 when demonstrators blocked a downtown square in La Paz, where the executive and legislative branches of government are located, and began to smash windows in buildings and cars in the surrounding streets.
In a bid to halt oil and gas production, hundreds of peasants in the eastern Santa Cruz province have blockaded roads and entrances to four natural gas fields operated by foreign firms
Thursday, June 09, 2005
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* President Pacheco Faces New Investigation
A letter send by the Ministerio Público to the Legislative Assembly confirms a criminal investigation begun by the Fiscalía General de la Republica (prosecutor's office) against President Abel Pacheco.
The letter dated June 7, 2005, and signed by temporary Fiscal General, Jorge Segura Román, is asking legislative deputies of the Control de Ingreso y Gasto Público for a copy of the report the President sent them surrounding the details of his trip to the luxury resort in Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic.
The information provided by the Legislature to the Fiscalía will be studied by the prosecutors to determine the next course of action, if required.
President Pacheco, while still incapacitated and under medical orders to rest after suffering high blood pressure and checking into hospital on Monday, said through the Casa Presidencial press office, that he is open to any type of investigation and will make available to the prosecutor any and all documents they require.
Pacheco (71) became the centre of controversy over the past couple of weeks after allegations that he received unreported gifts on his travel abroad, used free airline passes issued by TACA airlines for personal travel, tickets that are given to the government by the airline and the appointment of the Honourary Consul for Sevilla, Spain, Bernardo Martín.
Martín later became a partner in a land development project headed by Pacheco's former Minister of Tourims, Rubén Pacheco and published presidnet Pacheco's book of poems for free.
Since then, President Pacheco has returned the lifetime membership for he and his wife to the luxury resort in the Dominican Republic and has offered to pay for the airline tickets that brought him to Miami and back from San José.
On national radio and television last week, Pacheco defended his actions, saying that people who he is and what he is about and has a lifetime record to prove that his a man beyond reproach. Pacheco claims that this is all part of a media persecution that has it in for him.
It was he, President Pacheco, that signed the law that prohibits "ENRIQUECIMIENTO ILÍCITO" illegal enrichment that the Fiscalía is using to investigate the President.
* Arias Dominates Presidential Elections Race
Former president and Nobel Prize winner for peace, Óscar Arias Sánchez, remains the top presidential hopeful, according to a poll by Demoscopia published in Al Día.
35.8% of respondents would vote for Arias in next year’s election.
In March 2004, the 63-year-old Arias officially announced his intention to run for president again as the candidate for the National Liberation Party (PLN). The Costa Rican Legislative Assembly opted to bring back presidential re-election in 2003.
Arias headed the government from 1986 to 1990.
Ottón Solís of the Citizens Action Party (PAC) is second with 12.8%, followed by Antonio Álvarez Desanti of the Union for Change (UPC) with 10.4%, Otto Guevara of the Libertarian Movement (ML) with 8.2%, and Ricardo Toledo of the Social-Christian Unity Party (PUSC) with 7.3%.
The governing PUSC of current president Abel Pacheco has not settled on a definite presidential candidate. Along with Toledo, former government officials Guillermo Vargas, Víctor Morales, Germán Serrano and Everardo Rodríguez will seek the nomination.
Yesterday in Washington, Arias advocated for the swift passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), calling the proposed deal "an unparalleled opportunity to transform Central America into a dynamic economy deeply integrated with worldwide flows of trade and technology."
The election is in February 2006.
Polling Data
If the presidential election took place today, which candidate would you vote for?
Óscar Arias (PLN) 35.8%
Ottón Solís (PAC) 12.8%
Antonio Álvarez Desanti (UPC) 10.4%
Otto Guevara (ML) 8.2%
Ricardo Toledo (PUSC) 7.3%
Not sure 4.8%
Source: Demoscopia / Al Día
Methodology: Interviews to 1,200 Costa Rican adults, conducted from May 21 to Jun. 1, 2005. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.
*Bank Error Makes Bank Customer Millionare for a Week
Becoming a millionare (in US dollars) was easier than ever imagined for Don Franciso Barahona, who for a little over a week he held in his possession some us$2.8 million dollars due to a bank error.
Barahona had visited his local branch of the Banco Nacional to renew is investment certificate valued at ¢2.8 million colones (us$5.800 dollars). However, the bank employee issued the certificate in US dollars instead of colones.
Once the bank discovered their error, they sent Barahona, a client of the bank for more than 30 years and former director of the Universidad para la Paz a nasty letter demanding the return of the money or face legal action.
Barahona promptly responded to the letter's request but first asked the bank for an apology over the "nastiness" of the letter and told them that he had had no intention to keep the money, as he had not been aware of the mistake until he received notification.
The certificate had been issued for the same amount 2.800.000, however, the $ sign had replaced the ¢ of the earier certificate, a change he did not notice.
Another reader told ICR his story of a mistake at the local branch of private bank Scotiabank, when the customer realized that he was short changed for about ¢500.000 colones after making a large withdrawl.
After a call to the bank manager the following morning he was told that all the tellers balanced. Following the customer's insistence of a bank error, the bank manager promised to review the security tape (all banks have security cameras over tellers to record all transactions) the ¢500.000 colones was promptly deposited into his account and with no explanations.
The moral of the story is to always check any bank instrument or cash before leaving the teller. Mistakes can and do happen.
*Early Morning Bank Robbery in Escazú
Three well dressed men entered the local branch of the Scotiabank in Escazú and made away with ¢35 million colones (us$73.300 dollars) around 9:30am, shortly after the bank opened.
Witnesses told police they saw the three men, dressed in a suit and tie, get out of a late model Dodge Durango and the entered the bank, passing by security guards.
A bank employee working on the second floor of the bank, saw the reflection in the mirror of a man in a suit had a gun pointed to a customer and immediately ran back up the stairs to call 911.
One of the first thoughts that went through Virginia Pérez' mind was the assault on Monteverde, when a group of bank robbers stormed the bank and left a number of bank customers and employees dead, she told a reporter for the Spanish language daily newspaper Diario Extra.
The men, apparently entered the bank without raising an eyebrow and within minutes were speeding away with the loot. No one was hurt in the assault.
The Durango, which identified it as belonging to the Municipality of Alajuela, was found about a kilometre from the bank, leading police to believe that they the robbers either made way of foot or had another vehicle ready. The Durango was discovered to have been stolen from the Alajueal Municipal offices last week.
*Sala IV Upholds Internet Cable Service
The Constitutional Court (Sala IV) upheld the agreements the Radiografica Costarricense S.A. (RACSA) has with private cable company operators following an appeal presented by the Sindicato de Empleados del ICE (Sideice) which claimed the contracts are against public order.
RACSA in 2000 entered into a three year contract with Dodona S. A. (Amnet) and Televisora de Costa Rica (Cable Tica) to provide internet connection over their cable television network.
The contract calls for a payment of us$30.000 by Amnet and us$15.000 by Cable Tica monthly, who offer internet service to more than 16.000 customers. The contract is now being renewed on an annual basis.
The ICE union claims that the contracts of internet by way of cable is an exploitation of public property and requires the approval by the Legislative Assembly, based on Article 21 of the Constitution.
Sideice claimed that actions by RACSA were unconstitutional and that RACSA's board of directors and well as the board of RACSA's parent, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) be charged with acting against the country's constitution.
The action was begun in March of 2002, but it was only last week that the Constitutional Court made the ruling against the union.
Both Cable Tica and Amnet provide their customers internet connection up to 512Kbp by way of their fibre and coaxial cable network.
Both companies enter a contract with their customer for cable and internet service, however, require the customer to also enter a contract directly with RACSA for an internet account. In this manner, a customer pays one half of the internet connection cost to the cable company and then other half directly to RACSA.
*Costa Rica 3, Guatemala 2 in World Cup Qualifier
Costa Rica blew a late two-goal lead, but a 90th-minute score by striker Paulo Wanchope saved the home team, 3-2 against Guatemala in World Cup qualifier Wednesday.
Carlos Hernandez scored in the 34th minute and when Ronald Gomez made it 2-0 in the 66th, Costa Rica appeared headed for an easy victory.
But Edwin Villatoro cut the lead in the 75th minute and Mario Ramirez stunned the crowd at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium by tying it two minutes later.
Costa Rica spent much of the night pressing on offense and the strategy paid off when a give-and-go between Gomez and Wanchope ended in a penalty kick. Hernandez easily converted for a 1-0 advantage.
More crisp passing helped Gomez get open in the 66th minute to stretch the advantage to two goals.
That's the way things stood until the 75th minute, when Villatoro pounced on a loose ball deep inside the Costa Rican zone and fired from close range past goalkeeper Alvaro Mesen.
Just two minutes later, Ramirez found a window of daylight ahead of advancing defenders and got the angle he needed to make it 2-2.
Just before injury time, Wanchope made the winner look routine, taking a pass off a set offense and drilling the shot.
With the win, Costa Rica (2-2-1) took sole possession of third place in the region with seven points, behind Mexico with 13 and the United States, which has 12.
*Bolivian lawmakers to vote for president
Bolivian lawmakers meet on Thursday to consider the resignation of President Carlos Mesa. They must decide who will succeed him after weeks of protests in the capital and a growing clamor for early elections.
Mesa has asked the United Nations, Argentina and Brazil to send observers to oversee the process.
The divided Congress is likely to accept Mesa's resignation but many Bolivians are uneasy about who lawmakers will choose to lead South America's poorest nation.
The constitution calls for Congress President Hormando Vaca Diez to assume the presidency. The lower chamber chief and Supreme Court president are next in line should he decline.
However, many Bolivians especially the Indian community see Vaca Diez as unacceptable and are demanding early elections.
The mayors of La Paz and other cities went on a hunger strike late Wednesday to demonstrate against Vaca Diez.
This follows a three-week blockade by the Indian majority who want the government to nationalize energy reserves and call a special assembly to grant them more power.
The unrest has caused severe fuel and food shortages in La Paz, the worst crisis since Mesa came to power in 2003.
Miners and rural peasants are planning to take the protest to southern city of Sucre, where the Congress session will be held.
*Bolivian protesters take over oil field on eve of vote
LA PAZ, Bolivia — Protesters have taken over several oil fields of a Spanish oil company after weeks of demonstrations demanding the nationalization of the country's energy industry. The protests have forced President Carlos Mesa to offer his resignation.
Bolivia's Congress is scheduled to meet today in a special session to decide if it will accept Mesa's resignation and appoint a successor. The president resigned Monday — for the second time since March — in the face of mounting public opposition to his government's policies.
Wednesday, officials said, a group of indigenous protesters took over several oil fields in the eastern part of the country. Growing public protest is bringing the country's economy to a standstill. President Mesa
warned lawmakers that only new elections would end the protests. The president says this is a time for him to resign, not a time for what he calls "betting on madness."
He was referring to lawmakers' suggestion that he should be replaced by the unpopular Senate leader Hormando Vaca Diez. The president asked Vaca Diez not to accept the post, and called for new elections instead.
Thousands of demonstrators have clogged the streets of La Paz and other Bolivian cities for weeks, calling for the nationalization of the country's energy industry. They are also demanding a new constitution that would give the country's indigenous population greater say.
President Mesa has warned Bolivians the public disorder is bringing the country to the brink of civil war and called for an end to demonstrations.
*Free concert planned for downtown Saturday
Classical music lovers will be treated to Beethoven and Schubert Saturday at another edition of music in the vestibule at the Teatro Nacional.
One of the three artists will be North American Catherine Hayes, a violinist who plays here with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional.
Also playing will be Eduardo Madigal and Roberto E. Vargas, pianist. Beethoven’s Opus 17 and a piece for a trio by Franz Schubert will be presented.
The trio calls itself the Grupo de Cámara.
The free concert is one of six that the theater puts on each year.
=========================================
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This publication is designed to have one display add
between each article or section. Thus, the more
articles or sections we have per day, the more room we
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One final note, if you want to do a solo mailing
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We give you hard hitting, timely, common sense articles and
news that the mainstream, or corporate media, either will
not or cannot give you. Several times a week we bring you
an up to date digest on what is going on in the world around
you.
At The Costa Rica Digest, we don't give you hype or BS or
"common knowledge" solutions, but we aim to give you
the cutting edge information you need. If you wish to
become a writer for us, submit your article[s] for
approval to costarica@destiny-worldwide.net. We cannot
pay for articles, but, instead, you may include a resource
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or product. We welcome submissions of all kinds to
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=========================================
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* President Pacheco Faces New Investigation
A letter send by the Ministerio Público to the Legislative Assembly confirms a criminal investigation begun by the Fiscalía General de la Republica (prosecutor's office) against President Abel Pacheco.
The letter dated June 7, 2005, and signed by temporary Fiscal General, Jorge Segura Román, is asking legislative deputies of the Control de Ingreso y Gasto Público for a copy of the report the President sent them surrounding the details of his trip to the luxury resort in Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic.
The information provided by the Legislature to the Fiscalía will be studied by the prosecutors to determine the next course of action, if required.
President Pacheco, while still incapacitated and under medical orders to rest after suffering high blood pressure and checking into hospital on Monday, said through the Casa Presidencial press office, that he is open to any type of investigation and will make available to the prosecutor any and all documents they require.
Pacheco (71) became the centre of controversy over the past couple of weeks after allegations that he received unreported gifts on his travel abroad, used free airline passes issued by TACA airlines for personal travel, tickets that are given to the government by the airline and the appointment of the Honourary Consul for Sevilla, Spain, Bernardo Martín.
Martín later became a partner in a land development project headed by Pacheco's former Minister of Tourims, Rubén Pacheco and published presidnet Pacheco's book of poems for free.
Since then, President Pacheco has returned the lifetime membership for he and his wife to the luxury resort in the Dominican Republic and has offered to pay for the airline tickets that brought him to Miami and back from San José.
On national radio and television last week, Pacheco defended his actions, saying that people who he is and what he is about and has a lifetime record to prove that his a man beyond reproach. Pacheco claims that this is all part of a media persecution that has it in for him.
It was he, President Pacheco, that signed the law that prohibits "ENRIQUECIMIENTO ILÍCITO" illegal enrichment that the Fiscalía is using to investigate the President.
* Arias Dominates Presidential Elections Race
Former president and Nobel Prize winner for peace, Óscar Arias Sánchez, remains the top presidential hopeful, according to a poll by Demoscopia published in Al Día.
35.8% of respondents would vote for Arias in next year’s election.
In March 2004, the 63-year-old Arias officially announced his intention to run for president again as the candidate for the National Liberation Party (PLN). The Costa Rican Legislative Assembly opted to bring back presidential re-election in 2003.
Arias headed the government from 1986 to 1990.
Ottón Solís of the Citizens Action Party (PAC) is second with 12.8%, followed by Antonio Álvarez Desanti of the Union for Change (UPC) with 10.4%, Otto Guevara of the Libertarian Movement (ML) with 8.2%, and Ricardo Toledo of the Social-Christian Unity Party (PUSC) with 7.3%.
The governing PUSC of current president Abel Pacheco has not settled on a definite presidential candidate. Along with Toledo, former government officials Guillermo Vargas, Víctor Morales, Germán Serrano and Everardo Rodríguez will seek the nomination.
Yesterday in Washington, Arias advocated for the swift passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), calling the proposed deal "an unparalleled opportunity to transform Central America into a dynamic economy deeply integrated with worldwide flows of trade and technology."
The election is in February 2006.
Polling Data
If the presidential election took place today, which candidate would you vote for?
Óscar Arias (PLN) 35.8%
Ottón Solís (PAC) 12.8%
Antonio Álvarez Desanti (UPC) 10.4%
Otto Guevara (ML) 8.2%
Ricardo Toledo (PUSC) 7.3%
Not sure 4.8%
Source: Demoscopia / Al Día
Methodology: Interviews to 1,200 Costa Rican adults, conducted from May 21 to Jun. 1, 2005. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.
*Bank Error Makes Bank Customer Millionare for a Week
Becoming a millionare (in US dollars) was easier than ever imagined for Don Franciso Barahona, who for a little over a week he held in his possession some us$2.8 million dollars due to a bank error.
Barahona had visited his local branch of the Banco Nacional to renew is investment certificate valued at ¢2.8 million colones (us$5.800 dollars). However, the bank employee issued the certificate in US dollars instead of colones.
Once the bank discovered their error, they sent Barahona, a client of the bank for more than 30 years and former director of the Universidad para la Paz a nasty letter demanding the return of the money or face legal action.
Barahona promptly responded to the letter's request but first asked the bank for an apology over the "nastiness" of the letter and told them that he had had no intention to keep the money, as he had not been aware of the mistake until he received notification.
The certificate had been issued for the same amount 2.800.000, however, the $ sign had replaced the ¢ of the earier certificate, a change he did not notice.
Another reader told ICR his story of a mistake at the local branch of private bank Scotiabank, when the customer realized that he was short changed for about ¢500.000 colones after making a large withdrawl.
After a call to the bank manager the following morning he was told that all the tellers balanced. Following the customer's insistence of a bank error, the bank manager promised to review the security tape (all banks have security cameras over tellers to record all transactions) the ¢500.000 colones was promptly deposited into his account and with no explanations.
The moral of the story is to always check any bank instrument or cash before leaving the teller. Mistakes can and do happen.
*Early Morning Bank Robbery in Escazú
Three well dressed men entered the local branch of the Scotiabank in Escazú and made away with ¢35 million colones (us$73.300 dollars) around 9:30am, shortly after the bank opened.
Witnesses told police they saw the three men, dressed in a suit and tie, get out of a late model Dodge Durango and the entered the bank, passing by security guards.
A bank employee working on the second floor of the bank, saw the reflection in the mirror of a man in a suit had a gun pointed to a customer and immediately ran back up the stairs to call 911.
One of the first thoughts that went through Virginia Pérez' mind was the assault on Monteverde, when a group of bank robbers stormed the bank and left a number of bank customers and employees dead, she told a reporter for the Spanish language daily newspaper Diario Extra.
The men, apparently entered the bank without raising an eyebrow and within minutes were speeding away with the loot. No one was hurt in the assault.
The Durango, which identified it as belonging to the Municipality of Alajuela, was found about a kilometre from the bank, leading police to believe that they the robbers either made way of foot or had another vehicle ready. The Durango was discovered to have been stolen from the Alajueal Municipal offices last week.
*Sala IV Upholds Internet Cable Service
The Constitutional Court (Sala IV) upheld the agreements the Radiografica Costarricense S.A. (RACSA) has with private cable company operators following an appeal presented by the Sindicato de Empleados del ICE (Sideice) which claimed the contracts are against public order.
RACSA in 2000 entered into a three year contract with Dodona S. A. (Amnet) and Televisora de Costa Rica (Cable Tica) to provide internet connection over their cable television network.
The contract calls for a payment of us$30.000 by Amnet and us$15.000 by Cable Tica monthly, who offer internet service to more than 16.000 customers. The contract is now being renewed on an annual basis.
The ICE union claims that the contracts of internet by way of cable is an exploitation of public property and requires the approval by the Legislative Assembly, based on Article 21 of the Constitution.
Sideice claimed that actions by RACSA were unconstitutional and that RACSA's board of directors and well as the board of RACSA's parent, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) be charged with acting against the country's constitution.
The action was begun in March of 2002, but it was only last week that the Constitutional Court made the ruling against the union.
Both Cable Tica and Amnet provide their customers internet connection up to 512Kbp by way of their fibre and coaxial cable network.
Both companies enter a contract with their customer for cable and internet service, however, require the customer to also enter a contract directly with RACSA for an internet account. In this manner, a customer pays one half of the internet connection cost to the cable company and then other half directly to RACSA.
*Costa Rica 3, Guatemala 2 in World Cup Qualifier
Costa Rica blew a late two-goal lead, but a 90th-minute score by striker Paulo Wanchope saved the home team, 3-2 against Guatemala in World Cup qualifier Wednesday.
Carlos Hernandez scored in the 34th minute and when Ronald Gomez made it 2-0 in the 66th, Costa Rica appeared headed for an easy victory.
But Edwin Villatoro cut the lead in the 75th minute and Mario Ramirez stunned the crowd at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium by tying it two minutes later.
Costa Rica spent much of the night pressing on offense and the strategy paid off when a give-and-go between Gomez and Wanchope ended in a penalty kick. Hernandez easily converted for a 1-0 advantage.
More crisp passing helped Gomez get open in the 66th minute to stretch the advantage to two goals.
That's the way things stood until the 75th minute, when Villatoro pounced on a loose ball deep inside the Costa Rican zone and fired from close range past goalkeeper Alvaro Mesen.
Just two minutes later, Ramirez found a window of daylight ahead of advancing defenders and got the angle he needed to make it 2-2.
Just before injury time, Wanchope made the winner look routine, taking a pass off a set offense and drilling the shot.
With the win, Costa Rica (2-2-1) took sole possession of third place in the region with seven points, behind Mexico with 13 and the United States, which has 12.
*Bolivian lawmakers to vote for president
Bolivian lawmakers meet on Thursday to consider the resignation of President Carlos Mesa. They must decide who will succeed him after weeks of protests in the capital and a growing clamor for early elections.
Mesa has asked the United Nations, Argentina and Brazil to send observers to oversee the process.
The divided Congress is likely to accept Mesa's resignation but many Bolivians are uneasy about who lawmakers will choose to lead South America's poorest nation.
The constitution calls for Congress President Hormando Vaca Diez to assume the presidency. The lower chamber chief and Supreme Court president are next in line should he decline.
However, many Bolivians especially the Indian community see Vaca Diez as unacceptable and are demanding early elections.
The mayors of La Paz and other cities went on a hunger strike late Wednesday to demonstrate against Vaca Diez.
This follows a three-week blockade by the Indian majority who want the government to nationalize energy reserves and call a special assembly to grant them more power.
The unrest has caused severe fuel and food shortages in La Paz, the worst crisis since Mesa came to power in 2003.
Miners and rural peasants are planning to take the protest to southern city of Sucre, where the Congress session will be held.
*Bolivian protesters take over oil field on eve of vote
LA PAZ, Bolivia — Protesters have taken over several oil fields of a Spanish oil company after weeks of demonstrations demanding the nationalization of the country's energy industry. The protests have forced President Carlos Mesa to offer his resignation.
Bolivia's Congress is scheduled to meet today in a special session to decide if it will accept Mesa's resignation and appoint a successor. The president resigned Monday — for the second time since March — in the face of mounting public opposition to his government's policies.
Wednesday, officials said, a group of indigenous protesters took over several oil fields in the eastern part of the country. Growing public protest is bringing the country's economy to a standstill. President Mesa
warned lawmakers that only new elections would end the protests. The president says this is a time for him to resign, not a time for what he calls "betting on madness."
He was referring to lawmakers' suggestion that he should be replaced by the unpopular Senate leader Hormando Vaca Diez. The president asked Vaca Diez not to accept the post, and called for new elections instead.
Thousands of demonstrators have clogged the streets of La Paz and other Bolivian cities for weeks, calling for the nationalization of the country's energy industry. They are also demanding a new constitution that would give the country's indigenous population greater say.
President Mesa has warned Bolivians the public disorder is bringing the country to the brink of civil war and called for an end to demonstrations.
*Free concert planned for downtown Saturday
Classical music lovers will be treated to Beethoven and Schubert Saturday at another edition of music in the vestibule at the Teatro Nacional.
One of the three artists will be North American Catherine Hayes, a violinist who plays here with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional.
Also playing will be Eduardo Madigal and Roberto E. Vargas, pianist. Beethoven’s Opus 17 and a piece for a trio by Franz Schubert will be presented.
The trio calls itself the Grupo de Cámara.
The free concert is one of six that the theater puts on each year.
=========================================
COSTA RICA DIGEST DISPLAY AD RATES
=========================================
This publication is designed to have one display add
between each article or section. Thus, the more
articles or sections we have per day, the more room we
have for advertisements. Advertisements are filled
on a first come first served basis, and prices vary
depending on placement and frequency. You must order
a minimum of 5 insertions with your order. If there
are no advertising positions available right away,
you will be placed on a waiting list and notified
when a spot becomes available. Please email us
at destinads@safe-mail.net for more details.
One final note, if you want to do a solo mailing
to the list, that is available on a limited basis
if we decide that your product or service has merit.
Email us at the above address for more details.
=========================================
COSTA RICA CLASSIFIEDS
=========================================
If you have a worthwhile, honest offering, please
email us. New subscribers get a free five line
ad for a month. If you have used up your free
ad, or would like to place another one, the low
price is only $1.00 per line per issue. we have
a min. ad of three lines and you must insert in
at least three issues. to submit your ad, please
email your ad to destinyads@safe-mail.net
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Discover,
e-checks, e-gold, evocash, netpay, pecunix,
e-bullion, Picpay, Moneybookers, and
Offshorearnings. We make e-commerce EASY!
=========================================
We give you hard hitting, timely, common sense articles and
news that the mainstream, or corporate media, either will
not or cannot give you. Several times a week we bring you
an up to date digest on what is going on in the world around
you.
At The Costa Rica Digest, we don't give you hype or BS or
"common knowledge" solutions, but we aim to give you
the cutting edge information you need. If you wish to
become a writer for us, submit your article[s] for
approval to costarica@destiny-worldwide.net. We cannot
pay for articles, but, instead, you may include a resource
box at the end of your article promoting your website
or product. We welcome submissions of all kinds to
make this a great publication for all to read!
=========================================
Find out about our OTHER Exciting E-mail groups on a broad
range of important topics. Subscription boxes for all of
them may be found here:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/boards.htm
The Restoration Website:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/rcg/
Destiny Central Success Resources
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The Costa Rica Page --
The Fun, the Sun.... The business opportunity
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/
Your Safe, Secure, Offshore Payment Processor
http://www.offshorearnings.com
-----------------> Visit our Blogs! <-----------------
----> SuccessQuest http://successquest.blogspot.com/
----> The Real Truth http://destiny-worldwide.blogspot.com/
----> Costa Rica News http://costa-rica-news.blogspot.com/
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