WHERE HAVE WE BEEN? As many of you have no doubt noticed, the News Digest

has only been coming out once a week or so for the past month. This is

because we are busy working on some surprises for you!

We are working RIGHT NOW on a new, FREE, retirement guide to Costa Rica, with

REAL USEFUL CONTENT, revised and updated websites, a redesign of the

publication, and also the start of webcasting again SOON. So keep watching

this publication for some exciting announcements SOON!


Trade pact prompts fears
of expensive AIDS drugs


GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala — As the U.S. Congress prepares to debate passage

of the Central America Free Trade Act, some activists in the region are

hoping lawmakers in Washington will vote it down. Peasant organizations and

trade unions, worried about the effects of competition with U.S. companies,

are not the only ones taking to the streets. HIV-positive Guatemalans are

also opposed to the accord.

One, Rigoberto, a 55-year-old taxi driver, has been coming to a Guatemala

City AIDS clinic for his retroviral medicine for more than a year. But since

the government ratified the free trade pact, he says he has been worried

about getting the drugs he needs in the future. Activists say the accord's

provisions on intellectual property rights put serious restrictions on

generic drugs in countries that are too poor to pay for brand-name products.

"We can not buy expensive medicines," he says, adding that if he cannot get

medicine, he will die.

With the exception of the Caribbean, the Central American nations of Honduras

and Guatemala have the highest per-capita HIV-rates in the hemisphere.

During the past decade, activists have sued Central American governments to

force them to provide AIDS medicines in public- and social-security-run

hospitals. In recent years, activists like Costa Rican Guillermo Murillo have

fought to get governments to extend coverage to more patients.

While it is great that governments now give medicine, he says, more than half

the population in the region needing it is still not getting it. Under the

free trade pact, he said, it will be impossible to extend coverage.

Currently, generic retroviral treatments here cost about $400 per year per

patient. In coming years, patients may need to switch to new medicines, which

under the free trade pact would only be available in brand-name form. These

can cost as much as $10,000 per year per person.

Late last year in Guatemala, AIDS activists scored a big victory when a new

law was passed that further opened the country's market to generic drugs. But

the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Trade Representative put stern and open

pressure on the government to change the law, saying it contradicted the

already negotiated free trade pact.

In March, weeks before ratifying the free trade accord, the government

changed the law to bring it in line.

Rodolfo Lambour, who represents multi-national pharmaceutical companies in

Guatemala, agreed with the U.S. government's actions.

"For many years, there has been no intellectual property rights protection in

Central America, and now, we feel the time has come to respect a little bit

the intellectual property rights — which are legitimate and fair — of

companies that invest more than any other sector in industry, in research and

development of new products. It is our companies that help discover new and

innovative products that have given cures to many incurable diseases in the

past. We are not the enemy; we are friends of the people," Lambour says.

Lambour says there are mechanisms by which governments can still get

affordable medicine for AIDS programs, without hurting the companies that

develop them. Some analysts note there is a side letter to the free trade

pact that says intellectual property rights provisions should not affect

government AIDS programs.

But people like Alain Kergoat, of the humanitarian organization Doctors

Without Borders, says the only sure-fire way for Central Americans to ensure

continued access to generic drugs is for the U.S. Congress to vote against

the Central American free trade agreement.

"I hope there is enough time to explain to people in the United States the

effect this accord will have on health systems in these countries, he says."

At a recent protest outside Guatemala's Health Ministry, HIV-positive

demonstrators wearing paper bags over their heads shout, "We want health."

They say they are planning to stage protests like this one in front of U.S.

embassies across the region, and they are also working with AIDS activists in

the United States to lobby Congress.

The Senate is scheduled to hold its first debate on the trade pact Wednesday.



COMMENT: Since when is it "fair" to charge the poor, or anyone else for that

matter, $10,000.00 per year for a drug that should only cost $400.00? This

certainly shows whose loyalties the US government defends: those of the

insanely wealthy against those who have nothing.
And then there are still people who say "I don't understand why they hate us

so much." This is only one reason of many, and the people of the US should

also do something about this for their own benefit.


March Inflation
Registers at 0.83%

Costa Rica registered a monthly inflation of 0.83% in March, the National

Statistics and Census Institute (INEC) reported yesterday.

This brings inflation for the first three months of the year to 3.94%,

greater than inflation over the same period in 2004 (3.49%) and 2003 (2.12%).

The Central Bank has set its 2005 target inflation at 10%, and bank president

Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez has said controlling inflation is the bank's top

priority this year (TT, Jan. 21). Annual inflation in 2004 was 13.13%.


Former Vice-President of Ecuador
Returns Home, Gives up Asylum

The former Vice-President of Ecuador, Alberto Dahik, lost his political

asylum in Costa Rica , which he had enjoyed since 1996, upon returning to his

country last Friday, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

The legislation regarding asylum states that beneficiaries lose their status

upon returning to the country of their alleged persecution, the statement

said.

Costa Rica awarded Dahik asylum March 29, 1996, under legal arguments of

persecution, which he had alleged, but those arguments are no longer legally

valid as of his return to Ecuador , the statement continued.

Dahik had been in Costa Rica since Oct. 11, 1995.

The former vice-president returned to Ecuador one day after the Ecuadorian

Supreme Court annulled his conviction for corruption charges.

Upon his arrival, Dahik thanked his family in Ecuador and his friends who had

supported him during his absence, and thanked Costa Rica for being a “model

of liberty.”

“Dahik can formally present his renunciation of asylum and, if he desires, he

can also remain in Costa Rican territory, but no longer under the protection

of asylum,” the Foreign Ministry said.

--EFE


Carlos Santana In Concert in Costa Rica
Famous guitarist Carlos Santana will give his like concert tomorrow at the

Saprissa stadium San José.

The last time Carlos Santana appeared in Costa Rica was in September 29, 1979

where the legendary guitarist filled the Gymnasio Nacional, the crowds having

to gather outside the small building in the La Sabana park to listen to his

music.

Santana us who now 57 years of age, who is originally form Mexico, is on a

Latin America tour that includes Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador,

Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Since his start in the mid sixties, Santana has sold more than 30 million

albums and has appeared live before more than 13 million people.


Santana Band 2005 new line up
Joining the Santana Band for the 2005 Tour of Latin America / Mexico are

Bobby Allende on Congas & Tommy Anthony on Rhythm Guitar & Background Vocals.

Bobby Allende’s Afro-Cuban roots began at the age of three in New York City.

His dedication to his craft and spirited personality has earned him the

respect of some of the top names in the industry and the endorsements of

Latin Percussion, Vic Firth, Zildjian and many others.

Bobby has played and performed with musicians such as Tito Puente, Hector

Lavoe, Jose Alberto "El Canario", RMM All Stars and Ruben Blades, David

Byrne, Grover Washington, Jr., Rodney Jones, Spyro Gyra and most recently was

the musical director with Marc Anthony. To learn more about Bobby, please

check out Bobby Allende's bio.

Tommy Anthony brings warm rhythmic guitar tones and a beautiful voice to

complement the Santana sound. Tommy has a rich musical history & has toured

extensively with Gloria Estefan, Steve Winwood, Jon Secada, and Chayanne, His
Tickets Still Available
Tickets for tomorrow night's concert are still available and can be purchased

at any Mas x Menos supermarket. Prices range from ¢5.500 colones (us$11.75)

for the nose bleed sections of the stadium to ¢31.500 colones (us$67) for

floor seats.


New GSM Service in October, ICE Says
Following many months of speculation and uncertainties, the Instituto

Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) announced that is starting work on the

new GSM cellular network that will see the installation and marketing of

600.000 new GSM cellular lines.

ICE says that customers can start to make their request for the new cellular

service as early as October, but in reality it won't be until December when

the service will actually start operating.

The us$130 million contract with the Ericsson company has taken a long road

but it is now slowing becoming a reality, following the approval by the

Contraloría General de la Republica last month. Originally the contract was

signed in early 2004 and was to have been active by late last year.

Complications regarding the awarding of the contract and accusations possible

corruption following the Alcatel-ICE scandal last summer stalled the approval

process.

The new GSM network will be superior in service and quality of the existing

400.000 GSM lines installed by Alcatel.

ICE in the last 10 years, slowing but surely will count with the latest in

cellular telephone technology. With the new service, it is expected that the

transmission of photos will be permitted, along with a host of unannounced

services.

Current TDMA customers who want to switch to the GSM service will be able to

do so, connecting to the new GSM network without having to change their

current phone number.

One of the things that will be absent, for now at least, if the "pre-paid"

SIM chip. In most countries with GSM service, a customer can buy a

predetermined amount of calling time installed on a SIM chip that is inserted

in a GSM phone. Once the minutes are used up, the chip is discarded or

re-loaded with more minutes.

The pre-paid service is great for visitors to Costa Rica or those who don't

want to sign up for a fixed plan or want to limit the amount they call,

similar to the international calling cards 199 or 197 now on the market.
recording credits include Ricky Martin, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias and

Cristian Castro.


Reawaken your spirit, capture your soul, find your rhythm and explore one of

the few unspoiled places left in the world. Join the “African Wellness Diva”

Angelique Shofar from November 11-14, 2004 for the SoulFul Yoga and Nature

Retreat at the Playa Ocotal Resort in Costa Rica.

The SoulFul Yoga and Nature Retreat creates an atmosphere that allows the

awakening and healing of the mind, body and spirit, while participants find

true liberation and a deeper ancestral connection. The word “Soul” invokes

passion, aliveness and a tantalizing fusion and stirring of the senses. This

new style of Yoga, created by Angelique Shofar, encourages full expression

and reverence for the diverse African culture and speaks to the heart and

encourages people of color to experience the healing powers of this ancient

tradition.

This four day, 3 night experience will begin and end each day with a yoga

session. The retreat package includes single accommodations & breakfast, two

yoga sessions per day, a spa package at Fusion Natural Spa, a wellness

workshop and airport transfers from Liberia International Airport. There is

also a choice of nature tours to choose from. Deadline for registration is

September 15, 2004.

“More people are seeking retreats as a way to relax, regroup, revitalize and

rejoice in celebrating themselves through acts of self-love and

self-recognition, says Shofar. Venturing out of everyday environment allows

for a fresh perspective – a way to step outside the comfort zone and

experience other cultures.”

Angelique Shofar is a holistic health consultant, a certified yoga teacher,

African healer, body worker and body educator. The SoulFul Yoga and Nature

Retreat permits freedom to deepen the experience of natural, wholesome and

conscious living through the blending of both travel and retreat.

Playa Ocotal is the gate to the Gulf of Papagayo, a small beach protected by

hills and cliffs of sedimentary metamorphic rocks of 80 million years of age.

It is centrally located to several national parks, volcanoes, waterfalls,

caves and stunning beaches. The sea air is tinged with a whitish mist that

many healers believe to be rich in negative ions, small particles charged

with electricity that have beneficial effects on people, animals and plants.




Natural cosmetic line from Costa Rica to launch in US
Vista Group will be launching a line of natural cosmetics in the United

States using ingredients from Costa Rican lava fields. The line, labeled

"Rainforest Preserve", is not tested on animals and uses naturally-derived

ingredients like aloe leaf, chamomile, mint extract, orange hibiscus, and

green tea. If you enjoy this article, you may also be interested in an

article entitled 'FDA bans cosmetic makers from using brain and spinal cord

tissue as protection from mad cow disease.'



Wednesday, March 30, 2005 :: infoZine Staff :: page views
World Bank Approves $30 Million for Education in Costa Rica
The World Bank Group's Board of Directors approved today a $30 million loan

to Costa Rica to improve education indicators in the country in terms of

access, quality, completion, and equity of education.

WorldWashington, D.C. - infoZine - "Costa Rica has made extraordinary

achievements in the social sectors over the last 25 years, and this project

exemplifies the Government's commitment to closing the rural-urban education

gap, and improving the quality and efficiency of education," said Jane

Armitage, the World Bank's country director for Central America. "Sustaining

social progress in the country means optimizing the use of existing human,

physical and financial resources to benefit all Costaricans."

The Equity and Efficiency of Education Project will reduce existing education

quality gaps in rural education (including indigenous and afro-descendent

communities) and improve the equity and efficiency in the allocation,

administration and utilization of education sector resources in Costa Rica.

Specifically, the project will support the following activities:

* Reduce existing rural education gaps by empowering the technical units

of the Ministry of Public Education to prepare local initiatives that address

quality, equity, and internal efficiency in rural education. This component

will benefit approximately 230,000 students from indigenous/afro-descendent

and low-income communities in preschool, primary and secondary schools.
* Improve the impact of equity programs for low-income students by

increasing the capacity of the Ministry of Public Education to identify,

reach and monitor the delivery of education services in regions with low

education indicators and students from low income households. This component

will support demand-based equity programs -such as scholarships, vouchers,

transportation and school meals- and develop and implement an integrated

information system that can track the diverse education outcomes across

municipalities, communities and schools.
* Enhance the efficiency of the education sector's institutional and

economic resources allocated to the rural sector. This will be achieved

through inter-departmental integration strategies and working alliances

across central, regional and school organizations to conduct participatory

sector diagnosis, plan strategically, and implement, monitor and evaluate

education programs. In addition, the Ministry of Public Education's

coordination, fiduciary, monitoring and evaluation activities of externally

financed projects will be strengthened through increased capacity of the

Project Coordination Unit.


"By focusing on quality, equity and cost-effectiveness, the project aims to

sustain education indicators for all in primary and basic education, while

continuing to increase secondary education nationwide," said Joel E. Reyes,

World Bank task manager for the project.

The $30 million fixed-spread loan is repayable in 10 years and includes a

four-year grace period. The total project cost is $51 million, including $21

million in financing from the Government of Costa Rica.

For more information on the Equity and Efficiency of Education Project. For

more information about the World Bank's work on Education in Latin America &

the Caribbean, please visit: www.worldbank.org/laceducation For more

information about the World Bank's work in Costa Rica, please visit:

www.worldbank.org/costarica



RBTT Merchant sets up office in Costa Rica
Observer Business Reporter
Wednesday, March 30, 2005

RBTT Merchant Bank will next month open a representative office in San Jose,

Costa Rica, allowing it, the bank says, to capitalise on existing capital

market opportunities.

The merchant bank, a subsidiary of the RBTT Group, and a sister company to

RBTT Jamaica, has been very active in the Jamaican market, syndicating and

participating in hundreds of millions of dollars in loans.

The bank's managing director Lyndon Guiseppi, said the office in the

Spanish-speaking South American country would act as a resource and referral

point for ancillary business for the group. Its presence there would also

increase brand recognition in the financial community and gather market

intelligence.

"It is imperative that we continue to crave niches in new geographical

locations," said Guiseppi."Based on several years of information gathering on

the Central American financial landscape and our practical experience in

Costa Rica, we are eager to take this proactive step to create a physical

presence in what is considered to be the 'success story' of Central America."

RBTT Merchant Bank is a major provider of specialised financial services to

governments, public sector institutions and private-sector organisations in

the English-, Spanish- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.


COSTA RICA OPPOSES BEIJING USE OF FORCE AGAINST TAIWAN

2005/03/18 16:50:44

Washington, March 18 (CNA) The Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued

a statement Thursday calling for maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan

Strait and urging dialogue between Taiwan and mainland China to resolve

disputes peacefully. As a peace-loving country, Costa Rica opposes any use of

force unilaterally adopted by one side against the other, putting

cross-strait peace at stake, the statement says, adding that it is the common

position of all the world's peace-loving countries regarding the cross-strait

situation. Costa Rica, like all other countries in the world, hopes that

Taiwan and China can boost their mutual understanding and communications and

conduct negotiations to mend their differences based on the principles of

peace, friendship and respect for the people's free will, it says. Peace and

stability in the strait and Southeast Asia must not be undone by either side

through non-peaceful means, it stresses. The National People's Congress,

Beijing's ceremonial parliament, passed the Anti-Secession Law March 14 with

an aim of fending off Taiwan independence. (By Jorge Liu and Flor Wang)

ENDITEM/J