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>>Costa Rica News Digest<<
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TODAY'S CONTENTS
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*Feature Article:
Nicaragua Beaches Gaining Popularity Among Busy Americans
*Feature Article: Costa Rican Band Big Hit in Colorado
*News Digest
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FEATURE ARTICLE
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Nicaragua Beaches Gaining Popularity Among Busy Americans
Publish Date : 11/7/2004 10:17:00 AM Source : Advertising and Business News
Tico Travel, long known for its tours to Costa Rica, announced today it is
expanding its Nicaraguan operations by offering additional tours to the
Central American country. A list of new packages is on the tour company’s
website, www.ticotravel.com.
In a related development, the Central American regional airline Grupo TACA
recently announced it has permanently reduced its fares as much as 50 percent
for destinations in Central America and Mexico. The price reduction will
affect fares for flights between Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Belize and Mexico.
Tico Travel says a growing number of customers like Sean Keating, a bond
trader in New York City, are choosing Nicaragua.
When Keating was trying to decide where to spend his precious vacation days
this year, he wanted to go somewhere off the beaten path but not spend a day
getting there.
Keating, who works in the high-pressure world of bond-trading in downtown
Manhattan, wanted to get far away from the busy streets of New York. He
decided due to its proximity to the US to go someplace in Latin America, but
he found many of the tour companies offered packages to the same standard
list of locations.
Then he heard about Nicaragua.
“I never considered Nicaragua but the more I heard about it, the more it
sounded like what I was looking for. All I remember was what I heard as a kid
about the revolution, but once I went, I am really glad I did,” said Keating.
“It is unlike anyplace I have ever been. They have authentic colonial towns,
really active volcanoes, and the beaches are like out of a movie. I even
learned to surf on a beach where we did not see anyone else for three days.
The Nicaraguan people are super friendly and the tourists you meet there are
different too.
Most have traveled to places all over the world but they all love Nicaragua.”
Keating is not alone. With virgin beaches, low prices and its close proximity
to the United States, Central America as a whole has become more popular with
American tourists. But until recently, Nicaragua was one of those often left
off the list of countries tour operators were offering to their clients.
Keating did, however, find Tico Travel (www.ticotravel.com) and
CentralAmerica.com, companies owned in whole or in part by brothers Steve and
Rob Hodel, who offer tours and packages to Nicaragua and are expanding this
part of their growing tour business.
Rob Hodel first traveled to Nicaragua in 1987 from Costa Rica despite the
ongoing civil war.
“I was young and invincible then, and was invited to a party in Managua so I
went from Costa Rica by bus. It was not the best idea, so I was lucky that it
was not worse,” he added. Hodel gives few details of his adventure 17 years
ago other than to say his guardian angel was with him. But today, he is very
bullish on Nicaragua.
“After I got out in 1987 I swore I would never go back and now I own two
houses in Granada,” he said.
As a specialist on Costa Rica and Central America, Rob Hodel now travels
year-round throughout the region, dropping in unannounced on hotels and tour
operators that are part of his Tico Travel network.
In the year 2000 Hodel was visiting Nicaragua again to check on progress of
their destinations there when he made the leap from visitor and tour operator
to homeowner.
“I was visiting some friends in Granada and was very impressed with the
progress. I could see it had really turned a corner and I wanted in,” said
Hodel. “I could not decide between two houses but since they were such a
bargain, I bought them both. I made 30 trips by car from my house in Costa
Rica and spent nine months restoring one home in the traditional way. It was
a great experience.”
The town of Granada is a designated World Heritage Site by the United
Nations. Most homes have tile roofs 30-foot high and three-foot thick walls
with charming indoor courtyards. As the oldest city in the Americas, Granada
is like a museum in and of itself, and has seen more than its share of
marauding pirates, privateers and revolutions. Most of the homes in Granada
were in poor shape just four years go, but there is a revival going, partly
due to foreigners like Hodel who are helping bring them back to life.
The experience also gave Hodel a chance to become familiar with what
Nicaragua has to offer and develop relationships with those working in the
tourism sector.
Hodel’s expertise has also made him a valuable resource for the region. Hodel
has just returned from Nicaragua after a consulting assignment with Carana
Corporation, a leader in economic development throughout the world. Carana is
working under contract with US AID in Nicaragua to promote the huge potential
in the tourism sector.
Hodel says there are a number of unknown positives about the country that
deserve notice. For example, in just the past couple of years 43 private
nature reserves have been created in Nicaragua and nearly 20 percent of the
country’s land is protected by law.
“For investors, the incentives could not be better, and for visitors the
value is enormous, so it’s just a matter of time before it’s the next Costa
Rica,” he said. “The only difference is that Nicaragua does not have to
attract tourists all the way from the United States like Costa Rica did,
Nicaragua just has to get them to come over the border from Costa Rica to
take a peak.”
Hodel should know. He and his brother Steve were pioneers in the Costa Rica
travel business when they started Tico Travel more than 10 years ago and have
witnessed Costa Rica evolve from being confused with Puerto Rico to the most
popular destination in the region. He also says that some of his oldest
customers of Tico Travel are now mixing Nicaragua into their visits to Costa
Rica.
“Its not that they don’t enjoy Costa Rica as much as they are nostalgic for
the days when there was nobody else on the beaches and you rarely saw another
tourist.”
According to Hodel, this probably won’t last very long. Several hoteliers
with properties in Costa Rica have already set up shop in Nicaragua and more
are on the drawing board. For anybody contemplating traveling to or investing
in Nicaragua, Hodel has this advice.
“If you want are looking for an authentic experience right in your own
backyard, then the time to visit Nicargua is now.”
Rob Hodel’s Nicaragua Resource List
Tico Travel –for surfing, fishing and tours of Colonial Granada
(www.ticotravel.com)
CentralAmerica.com- for Nicaragua hotels, tours, and car rentals
Hotels
Morgan’s Rock (www.morgansrock.com)
Pelican Eyes (www.piedrasyolas.com)
Hotel Colonial (www.centralamerica.com/nicaragua/hotels/colonial.htm)
El Gran Francia (www.centralamerica.com/nicaragua/hotels/francia.htm)
Tour Operators
Tico Travel (www.ticotravel.com)
Solentiname Tours (www.solentinametours.com)
Mombo Tours (www.mombotour.com)
Grayline Tours (www.graylinenicaragua.com
Real Estate
Sandy Perkoff of Perkoff Realty e-mail protected from spam bots
Nicalandia Realty-Larry Hustler www.Nicalandia.com
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FEATURE ARTICLE
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*Costa Rican Band Big Hit in Colorado!
Latin American musicians become regulars in Summit
BY KIMBERLY NICOLETTI
November 7, 2004
BRECKENRIDGE - After the smashing success of Costa Rican band Pimienta
Negra's three shows last month, Cecilia's has decided to bring more Latin
American bands to Breckenridge.
Cecilia's will offer salsa and merengue night every Wednesday, with dance
lessons at approximately 8 p.m. and music around 10 p.m.
While other bars have done the same throughout the years, they haven't gone
so far as to fly musicians from Costa Rica and other Latin American countries
to Summit to play. But that's exactly what Cecilia's intends to do.
The idea began as a happy accident when Keystone resident Diego Piedra, who's
originally from Costa Rica, found out one of his favorite bands, Pimienta
Negra, was touring in the States. He booked it for a three-night stint - one
at Cecilia's and two at the Goat, and both bars had better-than-expected
turnout.
About 160 people - 100 of which were Latin Americans that drove from as far
as Boulder and Vail - heated up Cecilia's for the first show. About 110
showed up the next night at the Goat in Keystone and requested the band a
second night, where 145 people showed, Piedra said.
So when Piedra offered to bring up more bands from Costa Rica, Cecilia's
owner Jeff Cox agreed to host them.
Piedra hopes to start a production company that promotes bands from Latin
America in the United States. He also wants to bring local and regional
bluegrass and rock bands down to Costa Rica to perform.
"The way people get excited about Latin American music up here is the same
way people from Costa Rica would react if we bring them down there," Piedra
said.
So far, Piedra has seven Costa Rican bands in mind. He says his connection
with travel agents will help defray flight costs, and as far as booking
bands, Costa Rican bands will play for about $1,500, which is what many bar
owners pay for Denver bands, Piedra said.
"Seeing the turnout from the last live shows (convinced me)," Cox said.
"Right now, no one's really playing world music, and a lot of people here
from Latin America don't have a venue to go to. I saw a lot of faces we
haven't seen here before - they were a little bit older, and there was more
couple-dancing."
Though Barkley's hosts a salsa and merengue night on Thursdays, Piedra claims
the music caters to Mexican-American tastes.
"The Mexican community is bigger than the Latin American community up here,
and they have different tastes when it comes to music," Piedra said. "Most
people from Latin America go to Denver because you can't find Latin American
music here. The instruments they use in Mexican music are a lot noisier; it's
drums and tuba and chorus oriented. Latin American music is easier to dance
to. You hear piano, bass and one lead singer."
Cox hopes to bring in a live band every other week at Cecilia's salsa and
merengue nights. When he doesn't have a band, a DJ will spin Latin American
music.
Kencuba, a 12-piece Latin American band based in Denver, will kick off the
programming Wednesday. Three of the singers are from Colombia, and four of
the musicians are from the Dominican Republic.
Then Piedra will begin bringing bands residing in Costa Rica, beginning with
the return of Pimienta Negra in December.
"We're going to try to bring all of the bands from down there up here,"
Piedra said.
Though the bands drew a large Latin American population, Piedra said most of
the good feedback he heard came from Americans. And he plans to keep pleasing
both populations -every Wednesday.
Kimberly Nicoletti can be reached at (970) 668-3998, ext. 245, or at
knicoletti@summitdaily.com.
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WHAT'S NEW AT THE COSTA RICA PAGE!
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Our real estate section has just been totally updated with lots of
new listings, mostly in the residential real estate section, but also
we have a new rental on the rental page and some new additions to the
land for sale section.
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/real.htm
We are adding new things every day, and when our merger comes with
COSTARICACENTER.COM, we will have a fully operational Mercado Central
for you to buy Costa Rican products over the internet from local merchants
[if you have a reputable business here, and want to sell through the
Mercado, just let us know. We can help you to accept credit cards and
all the major e-currencies on the net! We break through the Great Barrier
that many Costa Rican merchants face getting their products on the net!].
Hotels and tourist businesses will be able to add their own links, and you
will be able to place your own online classifieds and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Watch this newsletter for our official launch, coming soon!
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NEWS DIGEST
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*Rights Group Closes Costa Rica Base
By Associated Press
November 5, 2004, 7:52 PM EST
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- A U.S.-based children's rights organization said
Friday it will close its Costa Rica office in the wake of a sex scandal
involving its local director.
Bruce Harris, the Central America director of Casa Alianza, a branch of
Covenant House, was fired in September after the group said he admitted
to paying for sex with a 19-year-old Honduran who had once been a resident
at one of the group's shelters.
The organization said in a news released that it decided to close the
office as of Nov. 15, and use funds that went into it to help children in
crisis shelters throughout Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Covenant House's Casa Alianza branch has operations throughout the
region. Employees in Central American and Mexico will deal directly
with offices in New York from now on, the release said.
The organization's mission is to help street children and denounce cases
of sexual abuse against minors. The Costa Rica office opened in 1993.
*Calderón Back In Court Today
Following his brief stay in hospital and return to his jail cell, former
president Rafael Angel Calderón, will return to court this morning to pick up
where his hearing left off on Thursday following his ill health.
At 8:30 this morning, the former president will again be in the Goicochea
courthouse where he is appealing the order to be kept in preventive detention
in La Reforma, wanting his detention changed to house arrest.
At the hearing, he is expected to face his co-conspirators at the Caja
Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) who have pointed the finger at Calderón
being the key person in the Fischel-CCSS scandal that has seen several public
functionaries and businessmen in preventive detention or house arrest.
Principally, Eliseo Vargas, former president of the CCSS, Walter Reiche
Fischel, president of the Fischel Corporation, Gerardo Bolaños (Calderón's
law firm partner), and Juan Carlos Sánchez are expected to give their
testimony.
Preventive detention is applied to those accused of crimes so that they
cannot evade justice by fleeing the country or hiding out and/or so as not to
impede the judicial investigation. In normal circumstances, the accused can
be held in a penal institution for up to 18 months, with period reviews by
the court, after which time, the prosecutor has to present formal charges,
followed by a trial or let the accused free.
Former president Calderón has been in preventive detention since October 22,
accused of conspiracy and illegal enrichment and is being held at the La
Reforma prison, Costa Rica's largest prison, for his own security.
Meanwhile, another former president, Miguel Angel Rodríguez, sits only some
metres away from Calderón in another jail cell on similar charges in the
ICE-Alcatel scandal. The two former presidents cannot communicate with each
other and have their 'outside' varied so as to avoid any possible contact.
The former president's visitor schedule is also different and separate from
the other inmates, prison officials saying it is for their own protection and
not to cause any disturbances with other inmates in the prison.
*Prison Scares Daddy
By Douglas Montero and Jeane MacIntosh
New York Post
The young son of a convicted New York con man who's on the lam in Costa Rica
said his father will never surrender to authorities because he can't handle
the stiff jail sentence.
"He said it would be a long time in jail," Edward Lurie, 14 - son of fugitive
fraudster Brett Lurie, 44 - told The Post of his dad's refusal to turn
himself in.
Edward spoke from the Costa Rican beachside home where he and his brother,
Jesse, 13, live virtually alone - abandoned by their ex-hooker stepmother and
in the care of an erstwhile nanny - while their dad dodges capture.
Brett Lurie was convicted of scamming a Queens co-op in 1994. After
convincing a sentencing judge in 2001 that he needed more time to sort out
matters with his sons, the feckless father, who'd raised the boys after
splitting with their mother years before, spirited them out of the country.
U.S. officials have an extradition warrant and are determined to "bring in"
the scammer, who's set up a swank new life, replete with stunning, $1
million-plus beachfront and mountain hideaways guarded by dogs.
Meanwhile, his two boys live an "independent" life, full of uncertainty as to
when they'll see their dad again, Edward said.
Their lives hinge on his daily phone calls, which Lurie always ends with the
words "Behave yourself - I love you," Edward said. "Living this way helps us
become more independent," reasons the articulate, mature teen.
Nevertheless, the U.S. Embassy, which has "legal responsibility" for the
boys' safety, just launched a "welfare and whereabouts" probe into their
plight, said spokeswoman Elaine Samson. "They are American citizens and
minors," she said. "Our concern is whether they are being adequately taken
care of, and who is the legal guardian of these children."
The embassy also alerted Costa Rica's national child-welfare agency, which
has legal jurisdiction over the kids' well-being, Samson said. The embassy's
involvement was triggered by a Post investigation of Lurie's whereabouts,
during which a reporter discovered the boys were fending for themselves -
taking a taxi to school and eating meals alone in restaurants - as their dad
ducks the law and their stepmother left for another country
*Time To Pay The Marchamo
Monday November 15 at 8:00am, the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS), will
begin it's annual collection the payment of the "marchamo" for the country's
registered 808.360 vehicles.
This year the marchamo or the right to circulate a vehicle on public roads
for 2005 will not increase very much from last year. The insurance portion of
the cost of the marchamo will stay the same, as most of the other costs that
include, payment to the Consejo de Seguridad Vial, PANI and a municipal tax.
Also, this is the time when the government is able to collect any unpaid
traffic fines imposed against the vehicle, including parking fines. Traffic
fines against the driver are collected on license renewal if the driver has
not paid.
The marchamo can be paid at any bank or insurance office authorized to
collect the payment and is due not later than December 31, 2004. After that
date, there will be a grace period for payment, though interest will be
charged. After the grace period, drivers will face a ¢20.000 colones fine for
driving without the marchamo and the possible impounding of the vehicle.
To renew your marchamo, you will be required to present the vehicle's
registration and the Riteve vehicular inspection certificate and the
appropriate payment.
If paid early, the whole process is done in minutes. Come the last week in
December, the traditional period for most, the lines can be long and can take
as much as an hour or more to pay.
An example of the costs for this year's marchamo are:
- 1989 Jeep Cherokee - ¢39.621 (us$87.65)
- 1992 Nissan - ¢34.341 (us$75.91)
- 2004 Nissan - ¢234.861 (us$519.60)
- 1999 Adly Scooter - ¢39.155 (us$86.62)
If you want to know how you are to pay on your vehicle(s), you can call the
the INS at 800MARCHAM (800 627 6426) or go online at
http://portal.ins-cr.com/csoa/.
*Only 67.000 Cellular Lines Left
Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) announced that it has only
67.000 cellular telephone lines available and once those are gone, it will be
one to two years before it can offer new cellular lines.
ICE says it has about 50.000 TDMA and 17.000 GSM lines available to
subscribers. The GSM lines are part of lines that have been returned to ICE
for non payment by customers and will be available on the marked the first
week in December.
Orlando Cascante Moraga, an ICE director for mobile communications, says that
the institution expects a high demand for service in December. The last time
ICE offered GSM lines for sale, all 15.000 lines were bought up in only one
week. In the case of TDMA lines, 17.000 lines were taken in the last six
weeks.
The difference between the two systems is speed of transmitting data. GSM is
better for sending images, fotos and surfing the internet, though these
services are not available as yet on the current GSM service ICE offers. TDMA
on the other hand is great for cellular customer who just want to talk and
send and receive text messages.
ICE has available 990.000 cellular telephone lines - 590.000 TDMA and 400.000
GSM, which were installed by the French telecommunications firm Alcatel.
Alcatel has been implicated in offering "pay offs" to public functionaries,
which has resulted in the preventive detention of former president Miguel
Angel Rodríguez and Edgar Valverde, former president of Alcatel in Costa
Rica. Several other public functionaries are being investigated and are under
house arrest. And former José María Figueres Olsen had to leave his post at
the World Economic Forum last week when it was discovered that he had been
paid a us$900.000 consulting fee from Alcatel.
ICE had planned on installing 600.000 new GSM cellular lines this December in
a contract with the Ericsson company, worth us$130 million dollars and
overturned in September by the Contraloría General de la Republica
(Comptroller's office), that would have been available for sale no later than
March of 2005. ICE was forced to cancel it's contract with Ericsson.
The Contraloría said no to the deal after it was revealed that several high
ranking ICE officials had met privately in Prague, Czech Republic, with the
president of Ericsson and questions were raised over expenses incurred by ICE
managers, including their hotel stay, was paid by Ericsson.
The cancellation of the contract by ICE is currently before the
Constitutional Court, Sala IV, after an appeal was made by Ericsson, which is
putting the process of tendering a new contract on hold, which according to
ICE, will take 18 months.
Once the current cellular lines are used up and until a new contract is
awarded and installed, customers have to wait until a line becomes available,
usually for non payment or in the case a customer voluntarily cancels their
service.
*Season Change Underway
The change from the "rainy season" to the "dry season" has begun. And with
that comes lots of rain, strong winds and cold temperatures.
According to the weatherman, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), the
change has begun.
The cold front will literally start in the Caribbean side, move inwards to
the Central valley and to the Pacific Coast. During the change, the rains
will be more intense and for longer periods and temperatures will drop
drastically.
Last night it rained throughout the entire night in most of the Central
Valley.
The changeover can last from two to three weeks and the IMN is warning those
living in high flood and mud slide areas to take the necessary precautions
during the period.
*Coco Gets Land For New School
By Zoraida Diaz , The Beach Times
It’s taken four years, dozens of meetings and countless more appeals, letters
and reports, but this week with a couple of signatures on a single sheet of
paper in a cramped office in Filadelfia, Playas del Coco got its first high
school.
At a little after ten o’clock Wednesday morning, Mayor José María Guevara
Navarrete signed a contract, which hands over three hectares of town land
upon which the school will be built.
“This merits celebration and applause,” the Mayor said, as he waved his pen
with a flourish.
And with that signature, the first of two installments totaling 54 million
colones, or about $120,000, will be released by the Ministry of Education to
build Liceo Diurno de Playas del Coco, which will house 150 students from
years seven to 11.
“This is the culmination of four years struggle,” said a clearly delighted
Javier Campos Chaves, President of the Asociacion de Desarrollo Integral de
Playas del Coco.
“The community is going to be very happy at this news, and within a month we
expect the Ministry of Education will give us the first installment of 27
million colones to start building,” Mr Campos said after the signing
ceremony.
The Municipality of Carrillo’s agreement to provide the land, just off the
main road into Playas del Coco, was the Ministry of Education’s main
criterion for funding.
In July this year the Municipality voted unanimously to provide the three
hectares, but it was the signed agreement that will release State funds. That
agreement cedes the land to the Association for 20 years with the proviso it
can only be used to build the school on a portion of the property, and sport
and recreation projects on the rest.
In fact, only one hectare will be used for the school buildings. The
remaining land will one day have a children’s park, a soccer field and a
basketball court.
The Municipality will remain responsible for property taxes, while the
Association will pay all electricity, water and maintenance charges.
The first phase, which the Association hopes will be finished in time for the
new school year, will be a single wing of five classrooms and some
administration offices. A further two wings in phase two will add another ten
classrooms.
Playas del Coco has never had a high school. In the past local students —-
about 130 of them —- had to travel to Sardinal and Liberia for secondary
education. In February of this year Playas del Coco got a headmistress from
San José for the non-existent school, and students were moved temporarily
into the old Super Luperon building off the main square.
Flushed with the success of this week’s meeting, the Association is already
working on obtaining a second lot for a community center.
*Pacheco to attend Plan Puebla session
President Abel Pacheco will travel to Chiapas State, México, for a meeting
Thursday and Friday of the heads of state of countries involved in the Plan
Puebla Panamá.
The controversial plan, one of regional integration, was proposed by Vincente
Fox, Mexico’s president, Nov. 30, 2000.
The plan envisions linking the southern Mexico states with all of Central
America by merging electrical, pipeline and highway networks, among other
facilities. The plan is a package of 26 giant projects that are designed to
attract outside financing. Initial investment is about $10 billion.
The plan has been declared dead a number of times, but the concept continues
to inch forward, being overshadowed in the news by the Central American free
trade agreement. The plan gets its name from the city in México, Puebla, and
the southernmost country involved in the project, Panamá.
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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
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
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/
=========================================
Monday, November 08, 2004
Friday, November 05, 2004
=========================================
>>Costa Rica News Digest<<
=========================================
A publication of Destiny Worldwide Net
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
Also Visit the Costa Rica Page:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/
Subscribe: costa-rica-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: costa-rica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
=========================================
TODAY'S CONTENTS
=========================================
*Calendar/Exchange Rate
*News Digest
=========================================
LUXURY OFFICES FOR RENT IN SAN PEDRO!
=========================================
TWo small luxury offices are available for immediate occupancy in
the finest office building in San Pedro Montes de Oca. High speed
internet available. Building has power generator so when power
outages occur, YOUR business is not interrupted. Can be used as
professional offices or turn key call center. Email us at
porongo@safe-mail.net for full details and to make arrangements to
talk to the listing agent.
=========================================
FEATURE ARTICLE
=========================================
=========================================
WHAT'S NEW AT THE COSTA RICA PAGE!
=========================================
Our real estate section has just been totally updated with lots of
new listings, mostly in the residential real estate section, but also
we have a new rental on the rental page and some new additions to the
land for sale section.
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/real.htm
We are adding new things every day, and when our merger comes with
COSTARICACENTER.COM, we will have a fully operational Mercado Central
for you to buy Costa Rican products over the internet from local merchants
[if you have a reputable business here, and want to sell through the
Mercado, just let us know. We can help you to accept credit cards and
all the major e-currencies on the net! We break through the Great Barrier
that many Costa Rican merchants face getting their products on the net!].
Hotels and tourist businesses will be able to add their own links, and you
will be able to place your own online classifieds and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Watch this newsletter for our official launch, coming soon!
=========================================
CALENDAR, EXCHANGE RATES
=========================================
Sinatra Forever
Rick Michel will perform songs by Frank Sinatra, such as “ New York , New
York ,” “Come Fly with Me,” 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow at the National
Theater in downtown San José . Info: 221-5341.
Healthy Cooking
Organic food, solar stoves, marimba concert, poetry, and more, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday at the Casa del Sol, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. Info:
681-1015, 371-7677.
Japanese Animation Festival
Festival offers fun for all ages, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday at CENAC, Av. 3,
Ca. 15 in San José . Info: 221-2154.
Dollar Exchange:
Central Bank
Reference Rate
Buy
¢451.03
Sell
¢452.47
CR Colon:
CAD
366.137
GBP
815.321
EURO
569.137
JPY
4.170
NIO
27.348
RUB
15.370
US Dollar:
BZD
0.5063
GTQ
0.1255
HNL
0.0527
SVC
0.1142
NIO
0.0618
PAB
0.9950
05 Nov 2004
=========================================
SPONSOR'S MESSAGE
=========================================
If you want to be successful in the years to
come, with the new technology of the internet,
you need to break free of the limitations that
bind the majority of people. ONe of the worst
problems individuals and businesses face today
are high taxes, unfair litigation, lack of
privacy in financial matters, etc.
You cannot be truly successful and free unless
you use all the tools at your disposal, which
includes being financially free, and learning
the ingredients to true success.
These secrets used to not be available to the
ordinary person. They were the guarded secrets
of the elite.
Destiny Worldwide is unique in that we not only give
you the education you need to succeed, but we also
give you access to cutting edge tools in many
different aspects.
From e-commerce to success in your career, regular
business, and handling your finances secure from
the many risks out there today, our constellation
of services gives you the advantages you need to
succeed.
Go to these websites to begin running down the road
to your successful future today!
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
http://www.offshorearnings.com
You'll be glad you did!
=========================================
NEWS DIGEST
=========================================
*Do You Have an Unpaid Traffic Ticket?
Hello, this is COSEVI calling. Your traffic fine is overdue for payment!
That is one option the Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi) is considering
calling drivers to remind them of their outstanding traffic tickets and
to pay up and the easiest way to do so.
Collecting unpaid traffic tickets is a headache for the Cosevi as it
has to, in most cases, wait until license renewal to get paid, which
can be from 2 - 5 years. An estimated ¢30 million colones is due on
traffic fines each year or 45% of all outstanding traffic tickets.
*Jailed Ex-Presidents Unhappy With Their Current Living Arrangements
Former president, Rafael Angel Calderón, did not like his current
living arrangements. He made his appeal to the courts for a change,
asking to be placed under house arrest, in exchange for a jail cell
in La Reforma prison, for the next 8 1/2 months.
The La Reforma prison is getting overcrowded with former politicians.
Yesterday, former Labour Minister, Farid Ayales, joined former
presidents Calderón and Rodríguez in the largest prison in Costa Rica.
Ayales, a minister in the Figueres Olsen administration, was convicted
in 2000 for fraud and given 8 years in prison. In 2003 an appeals court
lowered the sentence to 4 years and given house arrest following three
years in prison. However, he broke that condition and yesterday judicial
officials waited for him when he returned home to take him back to prison.
Calderón made his appeal before a judge and then was taken to the
Clínica Católica, in Goicoechea, suffering from high blood pressure
and an increase in his heart rate, according to the doctors.
Doctors at the hospital say the former president is stable, arriving
at the hospital a little after 5pm yesterday.
Calderón has now completed 13 days of his nine months of preventive
detention and is appealing the decision by judge Carmen María Peraza,
set on October 22.
Across the hallway in the La Reforma cell block is former president
Miguel Angel Rodríguez, who is also unhappy with is living arrangements.
Rodríguez was ordered under house arrest following his return to Costa
Rica last October 15. The Fiscalía appealed the judge's ordered and a
Superior Court overturned the decision and ordered Rodríguez to
preventive detention in La Reforma for six months.
Rodríguez cannot appeal the latest decision, and must wait for the
mandatory three months before a review, so he has taken to the media
to express his feelings.
By way of his lawyer, Rafael Gairaud, Rodríguez issued a statement that
.said he has been victim of a lynching since his return to Costa Rica.
In the statement he criticized the media for having access to restricted
areas of the airport and filming his arrest, being led off the arriving
airplane in handcuffs by judicial agents.
He questioned the "right to be heard". He said "he has been condemned
and sent to prison".
Rodríguez also criticized the Fiscalía for leaking reports and
information to the press. He said that there exists in Costa Rica
regulations that prohibit the publication of information in files,
however, in his case, moments after any decision, the information was
in the news.
Rodríguez also questioned the flip-flop of last Friday afternoon. What
happened between 2pm and 4pm? when the media was telling that the house
arrest would certainly be continued, then by the end of the day, the
judge made the ruling for preventive detention.
Rodríguez, in the statement written in his own hand writing, asked
several questions: "Is it the Fiscalía and the press that now convict
in Costa Rica? Are we going to put aside the courts and replace them
with lynching? Where are we going?"
Rodríguez concluded his statement with "the answer is with each of us,
just remember what history has taught us, today me, tomorrow you."
*Unions To Show Their Discontent With Corruption
Members of the Movimiento Cívico Nacional and the ANEP will travel today
in a caravan that will include automobiles, buses and trucks, from
San Ramón through downtown San José to presidential house in Zapote to
present Minister for the Presidency, Lineth Saborio, a letter stating
their unhappiness with corruption in Costa Rica, the Riteve and the TLC
(Free Trade Agreement) situation that everyone seems to have forgotten
over the scandals of late.
*Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico to Serve on U.N. Economic Council
Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico are three of 18 countries recently elected
as new members of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a panel
that coordinates development work for the world body.
In an October 29 statement, the U.N. said the Latin American nations
will begin three-year terms on the council on January 1, 2005.
The United Nations said that every year its General Assembly elects a
third of ECOSOC's 54-nation roster of members, choosing candidates
according to a pre-arranged formula of geographic distribution. At any
one time, 14 members must be from Africa, 11 from Asia, six from
Eastern Europe, 10 from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 13 from
the category called "Western Europe and other States."
The United States, Belize, Canada, Colombia and Panama are some of the
nations that will complete their three-year terms on the council at the
end of 2006, the United Nations said.
ECOSOC is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full
employment and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to
international economic, social and health problems; helping in
international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging
universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. ECOSOC's
purview extends to over 70 percent of the human and financial resources
of the entire U.N. system.
The United Nations said ECOSOC also is regularly given additional tasks,
including supervising and promoting the U.N. Millennium Development Goals,
which are a set of eight time-bound targets that include the halving of
extreme poverty in the world by 2015.
*Alcatel Faces Informal SEC Inquiry
Alcatel's troubles in Costa Rica could lead to a United States
Security Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation, according to
documents filed with the Commission.
For now, the SEC is only launching an "informal inquiry," according to
a form F-3 filed by Alcatel on Wednesday. The form also says Alcatel
has told the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice that it would
cooperate with any investigation, although it's unclear whether either
organization will formally look into the matter.
The troubles stem from a bribery scandal where payments were allegedly
made to "various state and local officials in Costa Rica," two political
parties in Costa Rica, and representatives of Grupo ICE, the state-owned
telephone company, on behalf of Alcatel, according to the SEC filing.
The accusations led Alcatel to launch an internal investigation.
An Oct. 27 press release from Alcatel noted the termination of "two
senior employees" and an intent to pursue criminal charges. One of the
officials apparently was Edgar Valverde, president of Alcatel's Costa
Rican operations, who was detained by officials last month. The other
employee is described by the filing as "a vice president-Latin America
of a French subsidiary."
Alcatel is terminating its contracts with the local consultants involved
in the scandal and is "in the process of pursuing criminal actions"
against them as well.
Costa Rican officials have investigations of their own going on, and
the F-3 form notes that if they find Alcatel violated the law, it's
possible the company could be barred from bidding for contracts for a
time.
This would be a public relations blow to the company but would have
relatively little financial impact. Alcatel was expecting $26 million
from Costa Rican contracts in 2004, according to the filing.
*Daniel Oduber Airport Getting Relief
The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) has announced a plan, that
will include more personnel and added security and efficiency at the
Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia, where more than 180.000 visitors are
expected to arrive for the season starting next month.
The Cámara Nacional de Turismo (Canatur) and the Cámara de Turismo de
Guanacaste, had asked the ICT for help following a report last September
that the airport would not be able to handle the increased traffic this
summer season.
The Daniel Oduber airport has grown exponentially over the last nine
years. From a small airport that handled only regional flights, now will
be handling 14 flights a week, with addition of the newest flights by
TACA from San José, Air Canada that will be flying directly from Toronto
and US Airways who will add a third flight a week in February.
A commission that was set up to study and make recommendations to deal
with the increased traffic at the airport recommended that the airport
increase it's hours of operation, that will now be from 6am to 8pm, add
more immigration and security personnel.
The announcement also said that "Eco Desarrollo Papagayo" is donating
two quadracycles and an automobile to add security to the airport
surroundings.
The airport, unlike the Juan Santamaria airport in San José, lays
dormant between flights. It springs to life as a flight is about to
arrive and goes back to sleep after it leaves. The airport is minutes
from the town of Liberia, but more important, within less than one hour
of most of the Guancaste beaches, including Papagayo, Tamarindo and
Flamingo.
In the past, visitors had to land in San José and then either make a
connecting flight on a regional airline or make the 4-5 hour bus or car
ride and the additional cost.
With flights now coming directly into the Daniel Oduber airport, visitors
can now be on the beach in less than an hour from the airplane touching
down.
*Legislators Reject Videoconference Meeting Proposed by Figueres
A Costa Rican legislative commission yesterday rejected the possibility
that former President José María Figueres be allowed to explain via
video-conference, from Switzerland, the circumstances under which he
received more than $900,000 in payments from the French
telecommunications giant Alcatel.
The legislators demanded that Figueres, who served as President from
1994-1998, present himself before the Legislative Assembly's Commission
on Public Expenditures Dec. 9, as they requested last week.
Figueres responded with a letter saying that a videoconference would be
the best option to “be able to make the appointment rapidly,” because,
he said, until the end of November he has various appointments to
attend in Geneva , Bangkok , Berlin and Brussels . He did not specify
what the appointments would be.
Legislators told the press that if Figueres does not present himself
before authorities here, they might ask the Prosecutor's Office to
request an international capture order for him.
The Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday that it would investigate the
payments made to Figueres, but that the former head of state is not a
suspect of any crime.
Allegations of the payments prompted Figueres to resign as the head of
the private, Swiss-based World Economic Forum because his work for
Alcatel constituted a conflict of interest, though he maintains he is
not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Figueres is one of three former leaders of Costa Rica to be implicated
in alleged corruption scandals.
Former Presidents Rafael Ángel Calderón (1990-1994), and Miguel Ángel
Rodríguez (1998-2002) are currently in custody while the Prosecutor's
Office investigates the allegations.
=========================================
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
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
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:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/
Subscribe: costa-rica-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: costa-rica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
=========================================
TODAY'S CONTENTS
=========================================
*Calendar/Exchange Rate
*News Digest
=========================================
LUXURY OFFICES FOR RENT IN SAN PEDRO!
=========================================
TWo small luxury offices are available for immediate occupancy in
the finest office building in San Pedro Montes de Oca. High speed
internet available. Building has power generator so when power
outages occur, YOUR business is not interrupted. Can be used as
professional offices or turn key call center. Email us at
porongo@safe-mail.net for full details and to make arrangements to
talk to the listing agent.
=========================================
FEATURE ARTICLE
=========================================
=========================================
WHAT'S NEW AT THE COSTA RICA PAGE!
=========================================
Our real estate section has just been totally updated with lots of
new listings, mostly in the residential real estate section, but also
we have a new rental on the rental page and some new additions to the
land for sale section.
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/real.htm
We are adding new things every day, and when our merger comes with
COSTARICACENTER.COM, we will have a fully operational Mercado Central
for you to buy Costa Rican products over the internet from local merchants
[if you have a reputable business here, and want to sell through the
Mercado, just let us know. We can help you to accept credit cards and
all the major e-currencies on the net! We break through the Great Barrier
that many Costa Rican merchants face getting their products on the net!].
Hotels and tourist businesses will be able to add their own links, and you
will be able to place your own online classifieds and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Watch this newsletter for our official launch, coming soon!
=========================================
CALENDAR, EXCHANGE RATES
=========================================
Sinatra Forever
Rick Michel will perform songs by Frank Sinatra, such as “ New York , New
York ,” “Come Fly with Me,” 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow at the National
Theater in downtown San José . Info: 221-5341.
Healthy Cooking
Organic food, solar stoves, marimba concert, poetry, and more, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday at the Casa del Sol, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. Info:
681-1015, 371-7677.
Japanese Animation Festival
Festival offers fun for all ages, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday at CENAC, Av. 3,
Ca. 15 in San José . Info: 221-2154.
Dollar Exchange:
Central Bank
Reference Rate
Buy
¢451.03
Sell
¢452.47
CR Colon:
CAD
366.137
GBP
815.321
EURO
569.137
JPY
4.170
NIO
27.348
RUB
15.370
US Dollar:
BZD
0.5063
GTQ
0.1255
HNL
0.0527
SVC
0.1142
NIO
0.0618
PAB
0.9950
05 Nov 2004
=========================================
SPONSOR'S MESSAGE
=========================================
If you want to be successful in the years to
come, with the new technology of the internet,
you need to break free of the limitations that
bind the majority of people. ONe of the worst
problems individuals and businesses face today
are high taxes, unfair litigation, lack of
privacy in financial matters, etc.
You cannot be truly successful and free unless
you use all the tools at your disposal, which
includes being financially free, and learning
the ingredients to true success.
These secrets used to not be available to the
ordinary person. They were the guarded secrets
of the elite.
Destiny Worldwide is unique in that we not only give
you the education you need to succeed, but we also
give you access to cutting edge tools in many
different aspects.
From e-commerce to success in your career, regular
business, and handling your finances secure from
the many risks out there today, our constellation
of services gives you the advantages you need to
succeed.
Go to these websites to begin running down the road
to your successful future today!
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
http://www.offshorearnings.com
You'll be glad you did!
=========================================
NEWS DIGEST
=========================================
*Do You Have an Unpaid Traffic Ticket?
Hello, this is COSEVI calling. Your traffic fine is overdue for payment!
That is one option the Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi) is considering
calling drivers to remind them of their outstanding traffic tickets and
to pay up and the easiest way to do so.
Collecting unpaid traffic tickets is a headache for the Cosevi as it
has to, in most cases, wait until license renewal to get paid, which
can be from 2 - 5 years. An estimated ¢30 million colones is due on
traffic fines each year or 45% of all outstanding traffic tickets.
*Jailed Ex-Presidents Unhappy With Their Current Living Arrangements
Former president, Rafael Angel Calderón, did not like his current
living arrangements. He made his appeal to the courts for a change,
asking to be placed under house arrest, in exchange for a jail cell
in La Reforma prison, for the next 8 1/2 months.
The La Reforma prison is getting overcrowded with former politicians.
Yesterday, former Labour Minister, Farid Ayales, joined former
presidents Calderón and Rodríguez in the largest prison in Costa Rica.
Ayales, a minister in the Figueres Olsen administration, was convicted
in 2000 for fraud and given 8 years in prison. In 2003 an appeals court
lowered the sentence to 4 years and given house arrest following three
years in prison. However, he broke that condition and yesterday judicial
officials waited for him when he returned home to take him back to prison.
Calderón made his appeal before a judge and then was taken to the
Clínica Católica, in Goicoechea, suffering from high blood pressure
and an increase in his heart rate, according to the doctors.
Doctors at the hospital say the former president is stable, arriving
at the hospital a little after 5pm yesterday.
Calderón has now completed 13 days of his nine months of preventive
detention and is appealing the decision by judge Carmen María Peraza,
set on October 22.
Across the hallway in the La Reforma cell block is former president
Miguel Angel Rodríguez, who is also unhappy with is living arrangements.
Rodríguez was ordered under house arrest following his return to Costa
Rica last October 15. The Fiscalía appealed the judge's ordered and a
Superior Court overturned the decision and ordered Rodríguez to
preventive detention in La Reforma for six months.
Rodríguez cannot appeal the latest decision, and must wait for the
mandatory three months before a review, so he has taken to the media
to express his feelings.
By way of his lawyer, Rafael Gairaud, Rodríguez issued a statement that
.said he has been victim of a lynching since his return to Costa Rica.
In the statement he criticized the media for having access to restricted
areas of the airport and filming his arrest, being led off the arriving
airplane in handcuffs by judicial agents.
He questioned the "right to be heard". He said "he has been condemned
and sent to prison".
Rodríguez also criticized the Fiscalía for leaking reports and
information to the press. He said that there exists in Costa Rica
regulations that prohibit the publication of information in files,
however, in his case, moments after any decision, the information was
in the news.
Rodríguez also questioned the flip-flop of last Friday afternoon. What
happened between 2pm and 4pm? when the media was telling that the house
arrest would certainly be continued, then by the end of the day, the
judge made the ruling for preventive detention.
Rodríguez, in the statement written in his own hand writing, asked
several questions: "Is it the Fiscalía and the press that now convict
in Costa Rica? Are we going to put aside the courts and replace them
with lynching? Where are we going?"
Rodríguez concluded his statement with "the answer is with each of us,
just remember what history has taught us, today me, tomorrow you."
*Unions To Show Their Discontent With Corruption
Members of the Movimiento Cívico Nacional and the ANEP will travel today
in a caravan that will include automobiles, buses and trucks, from
San Ramón through downtown San José to presidential house in Zapote to
present Minister for the Presidency, Lineth Saborio, a letter stating
their unhappiness with corruption in Costa Rica, the Riteve and the TLC
(Free Trade Agreement) situation that everyone seems to have forgotten
over the scandals of late.
*Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico to Serve on U.N. Economic Council
Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico are three of 18 countries recently elected
as new members of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a panel
that coordinates development work for the world body.
In an October 29 statement, the U.N. said the Latin American nations
will begin three-year terms on the council on January 1, 2005.
The United Nations said that every year its General Assembly elects a
third of ECOSOC's 54-nation roster of members, choosing candidates
according to a pre-arranged formula of geographic distribution. At any
one time, 14 members must be from Africa, 11 from Asia, six from
Eastern Europe, 10 from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 13 from
the category called "Western Europe and other States."
The United States, Belize, Canada, Colombia and Panama are some of the
nations that will complete their three-year terms on the council at the
end of 2006, the United Nations said.
ECOSOC is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full
employment and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to
international economic, social and health problems; helping in
international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging
universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. ECOSOC's
purview extends to over 70 percent of the human and financial resources
of the entire U.N. system.
The United Nations said ECOSOC also is regularly given additional tasks,
including supervising and promoting the U.N. Millennium Development Goals,
which are a set of eight time-bound targets that include the halving of
extreme poverty in the world by 2015.
*Alcatel Faces Informal SEC Inquiry
Alcatel's troubles in Costa Rica could lead to a United States
Security Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation, according to
documents filed with the Commission.
For now, the SEC is only launching an "informal inquiry," according to
a form F-3 filed by Alcatel on Wednesday. The form also says Alcatel
has told the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice that it would
cooperate with any investigation, although it's unclear whether either
organization will formally look into the matter.
The troubles stem from a bribery scandal where payments were allegedly
made to "various state and local officials in Costa Rica," two political
parties in Costa Rica, and representatives of Grupo ICE, the state-owned
telephone company, on behalf of Alcatel, according to the SEC filing.
The accusations led Alcatel to launch an internal investigation.
An Oct. 27 press release from Alcatel noted the termination of "two
senior employees" and an intent to pursue criminal charges. One of the
officials apparently was Edgar Valverde, president of Alcatel's Costa
Rican operations, who was detained by officials last month. The other
employee is described by the filing as "a vice president-Latin America
of a French subsidiary."
Alcatel is terminating its contracts with the local consultants involved
in the scandal and is "in the process of pursuing criminal actions"
against them as well.
Costa Rican officials have investigations of their own going on, and
the F-3 form notes that if they find Alcatel violated the law, it's
possible the company could be barred from bidding for contracts for a
time.
This would be a public relations blow to the company but would have
relatively little financial impact. Alcatel was expecting $26 million
from Costa Rican contracts in 2004, according to the filing.
*Daniel Oduber Airport Getting Relief
The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) has announced a plan, that
will include more personnel and added security and efficiency at the
Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia, where more than 180.000 visitors are
expected to arrive for the season starting next month.
The Cámara Nacional de Turismo (Canatur) and the Cámara de Turismo de
Guanacaste, had asked the ICT for help following a report last September
that the airport would not be able to handle the increased traffic this
summer season.
The Daniel Oduber airport has grown exponentially over the last nine
years. From a small airport that handled only regional flights, now will
be handling 14 flights a week, with addition of the newest flights by
TACA from San José, Air Canada that will be flying directly from Toronto
and US Airways who will add a third flight a week in February.
A commission that was set up to study and make recommendations to deal
with the increased traffic at the airport recommended that the airport
increase it's hours of operation, that will now be from 6am to 8pm, add
more immigration and security personnel.
The announcement also said that "Eco Desarrollo Papagayo" is donating
two quadracycles and an automobile to add security to the airport
surroundings.
The airport, unlike the Juan Santamaria airport in San José, lays
dormant between flights. It springs to life as a flight is about to
arrive and goes back to sleep after it leaves. The airport is minutes
from the town of Liberia, but more important, within less than one hour
of most of the Guancaste beaches, including Papagayo, Tamarindo and
Flamingo.
In the past, visitors had to land in San José and then either make a
connecting flight on a regional airline or make the 4-5 hour bus or car
ride and the additional cost.
With flights now coming directly into the Daniel Oduber airport, visitors
can now be on the beach in less than an hour from the airplane touching
down.
*Legislators Reject Videoconference Meeting Proposed by Figueres
A Costa Rican legislative commission yesterday rejected the possibility
that former President José María Figueres be allowed to explain via
video-conference, from Switzerland, the circumstances under which he
received more than $900,000 in payments from the French
telecommunications giant Alcatel.
The legislators demanded that Figueres, who served as President from
1994-1998, present himself before the Legislative Assembly's Commission
on Public Expenditures Dec. 9, as they requested last week.
Figueres responded with a letter saying that a videoconference would be
the best option to “be able to make the appointment rapidly,” because,
he said, until the end of November he has various appointments to
attend in Geneva , Bangkok , Berlin and Brussels . He did not specify
what the appointments would be.
Legislators told the press that if Figueres does not present himself
before authorities here, they might ask the Prosecutor's Office to
request an international capture order for him.
The Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday that it would investigate the
payments made to Figueres, but that the former head of state is not a
suspect of any crime.
Allegations of the payments prompted Figueres to resign as the head of
the private, Swiss-based World Economic Forum because his work for
Alcatel constituted a conflict of interest, though he maintains he is
not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Figueres is one of three former leaders of Costa Rica to be implicated
in alleged corruption scandals.
Former Presidents Rafael Ángel Calderón (1990-1994), and Miguel Ángel
Rodríguez (1998-2002) are currently in custody while the Prosecutor's
Office investigates the allegations.
=========================================
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
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
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/
=========================================
Thursday, November 04, 2004
=========================================
>>Costa Rica News Digest<<
=========================================
A publication of Destiny Worldwide Net
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
Also Visit the Costa Rica Page:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/
Subscribe: costa-rica-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: costa-rica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
=========================================
TODAY'S CONTENTS
=========================================
*News Digest
=========================================
WHAT'S NEW AT THE COSTA RICA PAGE!
=========================================
Our real estate section has just been totally updated with lots of
new listings, mostly in the residential real estate section, but also
we have a new rental on the rental page and some new additions to the
land for sale section.
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/real.htm
We are adding new things every day, and when our merger comes with
COSTARICACENTER.COM, we will have a fully operational Mercado Central
for you to buy Costa Rican products over the internet from local merchants
[if you have a reputable business here, and want to sell through the
Mercado, just let us know. We can help you to accept credit cards and
all the major e-currencies on the net! We break through the Great Barrier
that many Costa Rican merchants face getting their products on the net!].
Hotels and tourist businesses will be able to add their own links, and you
will be able to place your own online classifieds and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Watch this newsletter for our official launch, coming soon!
=========================================
FEATURE ARTICLE
=========================================
=========================================
DISCUSSION
=========================================
Please send your discussion topics to
costarica@destiny-worldwide.net
=========================================
SPONSOR'S MESSAGE
=========================================
If you want to be successful in the years to
come, with the new technology of the internet,
you need to break free of the limitations that
bind the majority of people. ONe of the worst
problems individuals and businesses face today
are high taxes, unfair litigation, lack of
privacy in financial matters, etc.
You cannot be truly successful and free unless
you use all the tools at your disposal, which
includes being financially free, and learning
the ingredients to true success.
These secrets used to not be available to the
ordinary person. They were the guarded secrets
of the elite.
Destiny Worldwide is unique in that we not only give
you the education you need to succeed, but we also
give you access to cutting edge tools in many
different aspects.
From e-commerce to success in your career, regular
business, and handling your finances secure from
the many risks out there today, our constellation
of services gives you the advantages you need to
succeed.
Go to these websites to begin running down the road
to your successful future today!
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
http://www.offshorearnings.com
You'll be glad you did!
=========================================
NEWS DIGEST
=========================================
Ex-President Calderón
Appeals Jail Order
Former President Rafael Ángel Calderón is scheduled to appear in court
at 1:30 p.m. today to appeal his nine-month preventive detention order
for his alleged involvement in corruption, the Judicial Branch announced.
Calderón (1990-1994) has been accused of masterminding the distribution
of a $9.2 million “commission” connected to a $39.5 million government
contract with a Finnish medical supply company to update Costa Rica 's
public hospital equipment.
He has been behind bars since Oct. 22 in a private cell in La Reforma
medium-security prison, in Alajuela, northwest of San José.
*Study Investigates What Children Fear
School children in San José fear staying alone in the house, fires,
drug addicts in their neighborhoods and around their schools, street
dogs, people who follow them, and getting hit, among other things,
according to a study conducted jointly by the United Nations
Development Program and the Paniamor Foundation.
Released yesterday, the study, called “Perception of Safety and
Insecurity Among School Children in San José 's Central Cantón ,”
interviewed 230 children ages 7-11 in five schools in San José .
Those schools, the study reports, are overcrowded and in disrepair.
They lack playgrounds and are located in areas frequented by drug
addicts, gang members and homeless people.
The study said 58% of the children interviewed stay home alone in the
house after school, 31% said they are hit in their homes, and an
unspecified number of the girls reported harassment by adults in the
streets of their neighborhoods such as obscene gestures and vulgarities.
Some of the recommendations of the study included the improvement of the
physical condition of the schools, the removal of street dogs from areas
where children walk, the creation of safe playgrounds or parks, adult
supervision while playing outside, the assignment of more police
officers to those communities, and that parents arrange for supervision
for their young children after they come home after school.
*Costa Rica to benefit from EU
Costa Rica is one of the nations that will most easily qualify for the
exemption of tariffs on her exports to the European Union, according to
Tomas Abadia, the head of the European Commission delegation for Costa
Rica and Panama. The official explained that the new General System of
Preferences is not aimed at leaving countries outside the benefits, but
rather at complying with a resolution of the World Trade Organization.
*Rodriguez reproaches actions of the Office of the public prosecutor
From his cell in the jail La Reforma, the exmandatario Miguel Angel
Rodriguez emitted yesterday a "message" in which he reproaches the
actions of the Office of the public prosecutor and the press related
to the case that maintains him in preventive prison.
By means of his lawyer, Rafael Gairaud, Rodriguez sent the official
notice in which he complains "to have been put under a lynching"
from his return to the country Friday 15 of October.
First he criticized the fact that that day the press had access
to the restricted areas of the airport Juan Santamaría and could
transmit its halting from that site. Also, he questioned that
"without a proper hearing" "he has been condemned and shut in prison",
last Friday, after keeping house arrest.
"But for this to happen, there must exist an agreement between the
Office of the public prosecutor and certain sectors of the press.
This explains that although norms exist that prohibit the publicity
of the files, after any management in the Office of the public
prosecutor in few minutes those files are used or badly used by certain
means of press ", added Rodriguez, of 64 years of age.
"Everything changed" Rodriguez also censured the fact that at noon while
his house arrest was valued, that day the electronic media informed
that he would stay with the same condition. "Unfortunately at some
moment everything changed and I was sent to prison". The Ex-president
asks: "What happened between the 2 and 4 of that afternoon". In his
writing, the general exsecretario of the Organization of American
States (O.A.S.) reiterates his faith in the courts of justice of the
country, but the fulfillment of "which had process" in his case is
questioned.
The Ex-president finalizes his letter with a series of questions: "Is
now the General prosecutor and certain means of the press those that
condemn in Costa Rica? Are we going to set aside the courts of justice
to replace them by lynching? Towards where are we going? And he
emphasized: "the answer is of concern to every one, Remember what
history teaches us: today it is me, tomorrow it is you ".
COMMENT: Well, well, now. This reminds us all of the abuse of power by
the prosecutor's office in the Villalobos case, where, without one shred
of evidence, and using an unofficial "referral" through unofficial and
illegal channels, Walter Espionoza "presented" his case to the judge, who
must have already had the information in advance of the filing, because
he ruled right away, without any time for reading the case file. The
RCMP tried to cover this up, but was forced to divulge the documents
by the Freedom of Information Act in Canada. We are not saying that
Rodriguez is innocent, but isn't it interesting how this is being handled?
I mean, really, the man resigns his office, gives up his diplomatic
immunity, and returns voluntarily to Costa Rica, and when he gets here,
he is treated in a very high handed and arrogant way. Finally, the
Prosecutor makes the ridiculous argument that this same man is a flight
risk! Give us a break, if he came back here, and resigned his diplomatic
immunity, why would he then leave again to "flee justice?" Or, were they
afraid he might leave when he discovered that there was no longer any
justice in Costa Rica? Maybe they think there is a good reasn for him
to think that there no longer is justice in this country?
It's almost as if the Prosecutor's Office is running amok in collusion
with certain judges. And all of this appears to have started the moment
Abel Pacheco become President.
We must also remember, in this regard, that Calderon
and Rodriguez were not even on speaking terms with Pacheco for the first
couple of years of his administration, and that the Pacheco campaign
received massive amounts of money from some of the same sources as
Rodriguez and Calderon. Yet, they are sitting in jail, while Pacheco is
issuing an "apology" in Brazil. Maybe Pacheco should start apologizing for
his own illegal campaign contributions.
I guess it just goes to show you what is good for the goose, isn't nece-
sarrily good for the gander. But Pacheco and the ambitious prosectuor he
appointed had better bear in mind that the truth -- ALL OF IT -- will
eventually come out, and THEN, what was done in the dark corners of smoke
filled rooms will be shouted from the roof tops.
*Regulated step
The authorities of the MOPT will regulate the passage by the bridge
on the Sixaola river, due to the deterioration that presents/displays
that infrastructure, that communicates to Costa Rica with Panama.
Vehicles with a heavy load and buses will journey one by one and the
passengers of collective public transport will have to cross on foot,
emphasized Maria Lorena Lopez, vice-minister of the Public Work Ministry
and Transportes (MOPT).
*Support of UNESCO
Ex-president Óscar Aryan is in Germany to receive, in the name of the
Foundation Arias for Peace and the Human Progress, a contribution of
UNESCO by the work of more than 15 years of the Foundation in tries to
construct righter and shared in common societies, elimination of war,
totalitarianism and intolerance. The contribution of UNESCO is $50,000
and it frames themselves in the event Gallic Charity for Children in
Need, that has allowed this organism to collect near 35 million euros
for the development of more than 207 projects to provide feeding,
education and lodges abandoned children.
*They will give time
The board of directors of the CCSS gave one week to the Costa Rican
Foundation Renal so that they can make a declaration on the recent deaths
of five patients by the use of generic cyclosporin, as well as to
attribute to the medicine the responsibility of which 16 patients lost
the graft. According to the maximum organ of the Costa Rican Board of
Seguro Social (CCSS).
The Foundation is exposed to the legal actions that the institution
establishes. They celebrate relation Members of the Costa Rican and
Russian diplomatic body festejaron the previous week 60.° anniversary
of relations between both countries. "Those 60 years have served so
that both towns we know ourselves better", Tovar Robert commented,
minister of Foreign Affairs of our country.
=========================================
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
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
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:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/
Subscribe: costa-rica-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: costa-rica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
=========================================
TODAY'S CONTENTS
=========================================
*News Digest
=========================================
WHAT'S NEW AT THE COSTA RICA PAGE!
=========================================
Our real estate section has just been totally updated with lots of
new listings, mostly in the residential real estate section, but also
we have a new rental on the rental page and some new additions to the
land for sale section.
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/real.htm
We are adding new things every day, and when our merger comes with
COSTARICACENTER.COM, we will have a fully operational Mercado Central
for you to buy Costa Rican products over the internet from local merchants
[if you have a reputable business here, and want to sell through the
Mercado, just let us know. We can help you to accept credit cards and
all the major e-currencies on the net! We break through the Great Barrier
that many Costa Rican merchants face getting their products on the net!].
Hotels and tourist businesses will be able to add their own links, and you
will be able to place your own online classifieds and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Watch this newsletter for our official launch, coming soon!
=========================================
FEATURE ARTICLE
=========================================
=========================================
DISCUSSION
=========================================
Please send your discussion topics to
costarica@destiny-worldwide.net
=========================================
SPONSOR'S MESSAGE
=========================================
If you want to be successful in the years to
come, with the new technology of the internet,
you need to break free of the limitations that
bind the majority of people. ONe of the worst
problems individuals and businesses face today
are high taxes, unfair litigation, lack of
privacy in financial matters, etc.
You cannot be truly successful and free unless
you use all the tools at your disposal, which
includes being financially free, and learning
the ingredients to true success.
These secrets used to not be available to the
ordinary person. They were the guarded secrets
of the elite.
Destiny Worldwide is unique in that we not only give
you the education you need to succeed, but we also
give you access to cutting edge tools in many
different aspects.
From e-commerce to success in your career, regular
business, and handling your finances secure from
the many risks out there today, our constellation
of services gives you the advantages you need to
succeed.
Go to these websites to begin running down the road
to your successful future today!
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
http://www.offshorearnings.com
You'll be glad you did!
=========================================
NEWS DIGEST
=========================================
Ex-President Calderón
Appeals Jail Order
Former President Rafael Ángel Calderón is scheduled to appear in court
at 1:30 p.m. today to appeal his nine-month preventive detention order
for his alleged involvement in corruption, the Judicial Branch announced.
Calderón (1990-1994) has been accused of masterminding the distribution
of a $9.2 million “commission” connected to a $39.5 million government
contract with a Finnish medical supply company to update Costa Rica 's
public hospital equipment.
He has been behind bars since Oct. 22 in a private cell in La Reforma
medium-security prison, in Alajuela, northwest of San José.
*Study Investigates What Children Fear
School children in San José fear staying alone in the house, fires,
drug addicts in their neighborhoods and around their schools, street
dogs, people who follow them, and getting hit, among other things,
according to a study conducted jointly by the United Nations
Development Program and the Paniamor Foundation.
Released yesterday, the study, called “Perception of Safety and
Insecurity Among School Children in San José 's Central Cantón ,”
interviewed 230 children ages 7-11 in five schools in San José .
Those schools, the study reports, are overcrowded and in disrepair.
They lack playgrounds and are located in areas frequented by drug
addicts, gang members and homeless people.
The study said 58% of the children interviewed stay home alone in the
house after school, 31% said they are hit in their homes, and an
unspecified number of the girls reported harassment by adults in the
streets of their neighborhoods such as obscene gestures and vulgarities.
Some of the recommendations of the study included the improvement of the
physical condition of the schools, the removal of street dogs from areas
where children walk, the creation of safe playgrounds or parks, adult
supervision while playing outside, the assignment of more police
officers to those communities, and that parents arrange for supervision
for their young children after they come home after school.
*Costa Rica to benefit from EU
Costa Rica is one of the nations that will most easily qualify for the
exemption of tariffs on her exports to the European Union, according to
Tomas Abadia, the head of the European Commission delegation for Costa
Rica and Panama. The official explained that the new General System of
Preferences is not aimed at leaving countries outside the benefits, but
rather at complying with a resolution of the World Trade Organization.
*Rodriguez reproaches actions of the Office of the public prosecutor
From his cell in the jail La Reforma, the exmandatario Miguel Angel
Rodriguez emitted yesterday a "message" in which he reproaches the
actions of the Office of the public prosecutor and the press related
to the case that maintains him in preventive prison.
By means of his lawyer, Rafael Gairaud, Rodriguez sent the official
notice in which he complains "to have been put under a lynching"
from his return to the country Friday 15 of October.
First he criticized the fact that that day the press had access
to the restricted areas of the airport Juan Santamaría and could
transmit its halting from that site. Also, he questioned that
"without a proper hearing" "he has been condemned and shut in prison",
last Friday, after keeping house arrest.
"But for this to happen, there must exist an agreement between the
Office of the public prosecutor and certain sectors of the press.
This explains that although norms exist that prohibit the publicity
of the files, after any management in the Office of the public
prosecutor in few minutes those files are used or badly used by certain
means of press ", added Rodriguez, of 64 years of age.
"Everything changed" Rodriguez also censured the fact that at noon while
his house arrest was valued, that day the electronic media informed
that he would stay with the same condition. "Unfortunately at some
moment everything changed and I was sent to prison". The Ex-president
asks: "What happened between the 2 and 4 of that afternoon". In his
writing, the general exsecretario of the Organization of American
States (O.A.S.) reiterates his faith in the courts of justice of the
country, but the fulfillment of "which had process" in his case is
questioned.
The Ex-president finalizes his letter with a series of questions: "Is
now the General prosecutor and certain means of the press those that
condemn in Costa Rica? Are we going to set aside the courts of justice
to replace them by lynching? Towards where are we going? And he
emphasized: "the answer is of concern to every one, Remember what
history teaches us: today it is me, tomorrow it is you ".
COMMENT: Well, well, now. This reminds us all of the abuse of power by
the prosecutor's office in the Villalobos case, where, without one shred
of evidence, and using an unofficial "referral" through unofficial and
illegal channels, Walter Espionoza "presented" his case to the judge, who
must have already had the information in advance of the filing, because
he ruled right away, without any time for reading the case file. The
RCMP tried to cover this up, but was forced to divulge the documents
by the Freedom of Information Act in Canada. We are not saying that
Rodriguez is innocent, but isn't it interesting how this is being handled?
I mean, really, the man resigns his office, gives up his diplomatic
immunity, and returns voluntarily to Costa Rica, and when he gets here,
he is treated in a very high handed and arrogant way. Finally, the
Prosecutor makes the ridiculous argument that this same man is a flight
risk! Give us a break, if he came back here, and resigned his diplomatic
immunity, why would he then leave again to "flee justice?" Or, were they
afraid he might leave when he discovered that there was no longer any
justice in Costa Rica? Maybe they think there is a good reasn for him
to think that there no longer is justice in this country?
It's almost as if the Prosecutor's Office is running amok in collusion
with certain judges. And all of this appears to have started the moment
Abel Pacheco become President.
We must also remember, in this regard, that Calderon
and Rodriguez were not even on speaking terms with Pacheco for the first
couple of years of his administration, and that the Pacheco campaign
received massive amounts of money from some of the same sources as
Rodriguez and Calderon. Yet, they are sitting in jail, while Pacheco is
issuing an "apology" in Brazil. Maybe Pacheco should start apologizing for
his own illegal campaign contributions.
I guess it just goes to show you what is good for the goose, isn't nece-
sarrily good for the gander. But Pacheco and the ambitious prosectuor he
appointed had better bear in mind that the truth -- ALL OF IT -- will
eventually come out, and THEN, what was done in the dark corners of smoke
filled rooms will be shouted from the roof tops.
*Regulated step
The authorities of the MOPT will regulate the passage by the bridge
on the Sixaola river, due to the deterioration that presents/displays
that infrastructure, that communicates to Costa Rica with Panama.
Vehicles with a heavy load and buses will journey one by one and the
passengers of collective public transport will have to cross on foot,
emphasized Maria Lorena Lopez, vice-minister of the Public Work Ministry
and Transportes (MOPT).
*Support of UNESCO
Ex-president Óscar Aryan is in Germany to receive, in the name of the
Foundation Arias for Peace and the Human Progress, a contribution of
UNESCO by the work of more than 15 years of the Foundation in tries to
construct righter and shared in common societies, elimination of war,
totalitarianism and intolerance. The contribution of UNESCO is $50,000
and it frames themselves in the event Gallic Charity for Children in
Need, that has allowed this organism to collect near 35 million euros
for the development of more than 207 projects to provide feeding,
education and lodges abandoned children.
*They will give time
The board of directors of the CCSS gave one week to the Costa Rican
Foundation Renal so that they can make a declaration on the recent deaths
of five patients by the use of generic cyclosporin, as well as to
attribute to the medicine the responsibility of which 16 patients lost
the graft. According to the maximum organ of the Costa Rican Board of
Seguro Social (CCSS).
The Foundation is exposed to the legal actions that the institution
establishes. They celebrate relation Members of the Costa Rican and
Russian diplomatic body festejaron the previous week 60.° anniversary
of relations between both countries. "Those 60 years have served so
that both towns we know ourselves better", Tovar Robert commented,
minister of Foreign Affairs of our country.
=========================================
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
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
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/
=========================================
Monday, November 01, 2004
=========================================
>>Costa Rica News Digest<<
=========================================
A publication of Destiny Worldwide Net
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
Also Visit the Costa Rica Page:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/
Subscribe: costa-rica-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: costa-rica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
=========================================
TODAY'S CONTENTS
=========================================
*Feature Article:
Sea Kayaking in Sunny Costa Rica Chases Away Winter Chills
*News Digest
=========================================
WHAT'S NEW AT THE COSTA RICA PAGE!
=========================================
Our real estate section has just been totally updated with lots of
new listings, mostly in the residential real estate section, but also
we have a new rental on the rental page and some new additions to the
land for sale section.
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/real.htm
We are adding new things every day, and when our merger comes with
COSTARICACENTER.COM, we will have a fully operational Mercado Central
for you to buy Costa Rican products over the internet from local merchants
[if you have a reputable business here, and want to sell through the
Mercado, just let us know. We can help you to accept credit cards and
all the major e-currencies on the net! We break through the Great Barrier
that many Costa Rican merchants face getting their products on the net!].
Hotels and tourist businesses will be able to add their own links, and you
will be able to place your own online classifieds and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Watch this newsletter for our official launch, coming soon!
=========================================
FEATURE ARTICLE
=========================================
*Sea Kayaking in Sunny Costa Rica Chases Away Winter Chills
Just as the cold of winter sets in throughout North America, the sun
shines warm and bright on the shores of Costa Rica. Crystal Seas
Kayaking runs trips December through April, right in the heart of the
dry season so spectacular weather is a given. Costa Rica boasts a rich
diversity of plant and animal species and over 20% of its land is
protected as national parks or preserves. Small islands that line the
coast provide ample opportunities to explore and encounter monkeys,
lizards, birds, and other members of the rainforest ecosystem as well as
countless species of marine life.
One of the best ways to explore this extraordinary part of the world is
sea kayaking with Crystal Seas. The company emphasizes low impact
adventures that ensure the preservation of Costa Rica’s environment for
years to come. In an effort to further a positive impact on the local
economy and environment Crystal Seas funds, organizes and carries out
regular waste removal from several of Costa Rica’s public beaches.
Crystal Seas Kayaking offers from two to five day expeditions on the
southeastern Nicoya peninsula, famed for its spectacular weather and
beautiful beaches. The calm waters allow for abundant marine and
terrestrial wildlife viewing while kayaking. Snorkeling gear is also
provided so guests can explore the undersea world as well.
Crystal Seas arranges custom and private tours as well. These may be a
large wedding party, corporate event, group of friends, or a couple who
would like to paddle a special route for a romantic evening. The company
has plenty of resources to accommodate any event.
Join Crystal Seas Kayaking to experience Costa Rica. Contact Crystal Seas
at 877-SEAS-877 (877-7327-877) or visit the company's website at
www.crystalseas.com or email mail@crystalseas.com
=========================================
DISCUSSION
=========================================
Please send your discussion topics to
costarica@destiny-worldwide.net
=========================================
SPONSOR'S MESSAGE
=========================================
If you want to be successful in the years to
come, with the new technology of the internet,
you need to break free of the limitations that
bind the majority of people. ONe of the worst
problems individuals and businesses face today
are high taxes, unfair litigation, lack of
privacy in financial matters, etc.
You cannot be truly successful and free unless
you use all the tools at your disposal, which
includes being financially free, and learning
the ingredients to true success.
These secrets used to not be available to the
ordinary person. They were the guarded secrets
of the elite.
Destiny Worldwide is unique in that we not only give
you the education you need to succeed, but we also
give you access to cutting edge tools in many
different aspects.
From e-commerce to success in your career, regular
business, and handling your finances secure from
the many risks out there today, our constellation
of services gives you the advantages you need to
succeed.
Go to these websites to begin running down the road
to your successful future today!
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
http://www.offshorearnings.com
You'll be glad you did!
=========================================
NEWS DIGEST
=========================================
*Mudslides Threaten West Central Valley Town
Emergency officials in Escazú, west of San José, are warning residents
and hikers in the protected hills above the town that more big mudslides
are possible during the next few weeks.
Approximately 15,000 square meters of mud, rock and debris slid down a
protected mountainous area between Cerro San Miguel and Pico Blanco
earlier this month, and officials are warning it could happen again soon.
Geologist Julio Madrigal, of the National Emergency Commission (CNE),
estimated that before the rainy season is over, likely sometime next
month, another 15,000 square meters of mud will slide off the mountain
and wash down the Agres River, which runs through the communities of San
Antonio and San Rafael de Escazú.
The area surrounding the banks of the Agres River has been under yellow
alert since Oct. 12 and will likely remain so until sometime in November,
when the transition period between the rainy and dry seasons begins in
the Central Valley, according to the National Meteorological Institute.
Emergency commission spokesman Jorge Alvarez said the yellow alert is
issued for possibly dangerous situations that can be predicted, such as
hurricanes or heavy rainfall. It tells local emergency committees to
communicate the danger to the community and prepare accordingly.
Catalina Roldán, assistant to the Escazú Mayor and member of the Escazú
Emergency Committee, said, “landslides like this happen all the time, but
the danger here resides in the Agres River. It flows right underneath the
land that is waiting to fall, and could drag it down to populated areas.”
Fortunately, she said the immediate vicinity of the land expected to
tumble down is a protected area and therefore uninhabited.
*No Money for Roads!
The Ministerio de Hacienda (Revenue Minister) has made cuts for the 2005
spending budget, to which transport officials say they will have enough
money to pave roads only for the first two months of next year. Some 65
road projects will be put on hold, including much needed pedestrian
overpasses to reduce the number of traffic deaths at key intersections
like the Muñoz & Nanne en la vía Montes de Oca-Curridabat and the
highway that runs in front of Multiplaza and the Hospital Cima in Escazú.
*Inmates Intent To Make "Life Impossible" for former president Rodríguez
Sunday morning, more than 1.500 persons visited friends and loved ones
at the La Reforma prison located in San Rafael de Alajuela. Sunday
mornings between 9am and 1pm is the only visiting day available to
inmates of Costa Rican prisons and detention centres, though the hours
may vary slightly at some institutions.
However, no one was there to visit former president Rafael Angel Calderón
or Miguel Angel Rodríguez. They got their visits on Saturday as prison
officials cope to deal with this historic situation.
Calderón has been in the institution since October 22, while Rodríguez
spent his first night in "puesto 7" Friday night, when a Superior Court
judge overturned a lower court decision for house arrest.
This is the first time in Costa Rica's history that two former presidents
are behind bars, at the same time and in the same institution, both on
charges of corruption.
Prison officials say the two former presidents, though not more than 20
metres apart, are not permitted contact with each other, and their yard
times have been staggered to prevent any contact, as well as their
visiting hours to avoid any confrontations between family members
during visiting hours.
Rodríguez, according to officials, is depressed and frightened as other
inmates have been shouting "Shoot to Kill", in reference to a law that he
signed when he was president, that allowed prison officials to 'shoot to
kil'l any prisoner in the process of an escape.
The law, jointly signed by then Justice Minister, Mónica Nágel, is known
as "Reforma articulo # 8 de la Reglamento de la Policía Penitenciaria",
where it gives prison officials the use of all necessary force to stop a
prison break, including the use of a sub-machine gun and tear gas during
an escape attempt.
Prisoners are intent on make "life impossible" for the former president.
There have been no immediate and direct threats on the life of Rodríguez,
though he maintains to be held, like Calderón, in a secluded area of the
prison and with no contact whatsoever with other inmates.
Prison officials have confirmed that Rodríguez is under a 24 hour watch,
not only for his own safety, but to prevent any suicide attempts given
his severe state of depression.
Minister of Justice, Patricia Vega, confirmed over the weekend that
Rodríguez was moved sometime Friday night from his original cell to
another cell due to disturbances caused by other inmates who were close
to the former president.
Rodríguez is being investigated for corruption in accepting payments,
by way of his former minister, José Antonio Lobo, from Alcatel as
compensation for receiving the "prize" from ICE to install GSM cellular
service. Rodríguez is also being investigated for accepting payments from
the government of Taiwan while in office. The charges include conspiracy
and illegal enrichment.
Rodríguez, like Calderón will spend the next six months in preventive
detention, with a review in three months. The former presidents can
be held for up to 18 months in preventive detention while the Fiscalía
investigates.
The preventive detention can also be extended beyond the 18 months if the
Fiscalía deemed the investigation complicated and is approved by a court,
like in the case of Osvaldo Villalobos, who was held for almost two years
before formal charges being filed against him.
Both, Calderón and Rodríguez are denying any wrongdoing and vowing their
innocence.
*Figueres Mom Abandons Costa Rica!
The Diario Extra reports that, Karen Olsen Beck, the mother of former
president José María Figueres Olsen, "abandoned" Costa Rica, headed for
Miami on an American Airlines flight over the weekend, amid accusations
of corruption that have surrounded her son. Figueres Olsen resigned as
chief of the World Economic Fund, based in Geneva, when it was
discovered that he had received $900.000 payment from Alcatel for
consulting work.
*Fake Tico Passport for Only ¢5.000
Costa Rican immigration officials are investigating the possibility that
a group or groups of organized crime are taking advantage of the poor
economic situations of some Costa Ricans by offering them colones for
their passport.
Marco Badilla, director of Migración, says that they suspect the sale of
passports is a daily business.
This year alone some 100 passports have been discovered to have been sold.
Typically, members of organized groups infiltrate an economically
challenged community and with the aid of a trusted resident make offers
to buy a passport, one that is relatively new and without use or will
help the person obtain a new one.
The price received by several who made their declaration before
immigration officials when they were discovered to have sold their
passport, has been as low as ¢5.000 colones, while most got between
¢10.000 and ¢20.000, plus the cost charged by immigration for a new
passport.
The list of those selling their passport varies from alcoholics, to
psychiatric patients, but mainly to those so poor that the selling of
their passport and that of their children will mean food on the dinner
table.
Once the passport is handed over to the buyer, the passport is reported
stolen or lost. This means that the person can now, with a police report
in hand, solicit another passport. The sold passport is then altered and
re-sold to an end user. "I lost my passport" is the most common reason,
according to immigration officials.
Fake Costa Rican passports have shown up in places like Mexico, Germany
and several other countries where Ticos don't need an entry visa. In
Germany, two phoney passports where discovered when two Orientals landed
at the Frankfurt airport. In Belize, two Cubans were detained last June,
again with fake Tico passports. Their final destination was assumed to
be the United States.
Many countries, like Mexico, Germany, France, Italy and Spain for example,
do not require Costa Ricans to have a visa as a condition of entry, wich
makes a fake Tico passport useful for those trying to enter those
countries, escaping a life from elsewhere.
Badilla admitted that the current passport is very vulnerable to
organized criminals to falsify. Immigration authorities are making a
¢500 million colones fund to combat the situation, with the hope to put
a stop to this activity.
*Evangelicals Oppose Free Trade Agreement with United States
In a joint declaration, Evangelical churches from Costa Rica expressed
their opposition to Free Trade Agreements between the Central American
region and the United States arguing that they exclude the most
vulnerable sectors of the population.
The ecumenical declaration also expressed the rejection of the
"corruption that is embargoing and shadowing the national reality,"
as well as all the power abuses.
It repudiated the "new forms of extortion and manipulation of people's
faith under the flag of the theology of prosperity." We are opposed to
the new markets of faith negotiating and perverting the name of Jesus
Christ, they affirmed.
This declaration is the result of a series of meetings throughout
September and October on the part of leaders, bishops and presidents of
Costa Rican Churches that are members of the Latin American Council of
Churches (CLAI).
The First Central American Evangelical Church, the Costa Rican
Lutheran Church (ILCO), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Costa Rica,
the Lutheran Central American Church and the Episcopal Church signed the
declaration.
At the same time, the Presbyterian Church, the Moravian Church, the
Baptist Federation, the Baptist Seminary, the Mennonite Church, the
Wesleyan Methodist Church, the Community of Love Federation (FEDEICA),
the Latin American Biblical University (UBL) and the Central American
Secretariat of the Latin American Council of Churches.
The joint declaration also expresses the commitment of Evangelicals to
support all the efforts that are being carried out in the Public
Ministry aimed at putting an end to the state of corruption "that an
irresponsible leadership class has maintained us in for decades."
It called on the responsible Costa Rican institutions to continue their
strict monitoring and review of all individuals and institutions that
show signs of corruption or distorting public goods, said the Rev.
Eduardo Chinchilla Guevara, CLAI regional secretary for Mesoamerica.
*Pacheco off to Río for political summit
President Abel Pacheco will leave Costa Rica Tuesday for Río de Janeiro,
Brazil, and the summit of the heads of state of the Río Group.
Pacheco will return to Costa Rica Sunday.
While in Río, Pacheco will meet with Vincente Fox, president of México,
and with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, among
others.
Friday Pacheco will be a guest at a dinner in honor of John Danilovich,
the former U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica who is now in the same post in
Brazil.
*Costa Rican Legislator Linked to Alcatel Payments
Costa Rican congressman Rolando Laclé may have received $71,493 in
certificates from Alfonso Guardia, who is being investigated in
connection with the corruption scandal involving alleged payoffs by the
French telecommunications firm Alacatel to government officials.
Alcatel was awarded a $149 million cellular phone contract with the
Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) in 2001. Former President Miguel
Ángel Rodríguez (1998-2002) has been accused of accepting 60% of a $2.4
million “prize” from the company, and remains in preventive detention as
he is investigated.
“If those funds were given to (Guardia) from some person related to
Alcatel, I am emphatic in saying that I have no relationship with the
Alcatel issue,” Laclé said.
Laclé, 63, is a prominent figure in the ruling – but suffering – Social
Christian Unity Party (PUSC).
He served as Presidency Minister under Rafael Ángel Calderón, who is
serving a nine-month preventive detention order in a prison northwest of
San José , and was a member of Rodríguez's advisory team.
=========================================
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
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
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:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/
Subscribe: costa-rica-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: costa-rica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
=========================================
TODAY'S CONTENTS
=========================================
*Feature Article:
Sea Kayaking in Sunny Costa Rica Chases Away Winter Chills
*News Digest
=========================================
WHAT'S NEW AT THE COSTA RICA PAGE!
=========================================
Our real estate section has just been totally updated with lots of
new listings, mostly in the residential real estate section, but also
we have a new rental on the rental page and some new additions to the
land for sale section.
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/real.htm
We are adding new things every day, and when our merger comes with
COSTARICACENTER.COM, we will have a fully operational Mercado Central
for you to buy Costa Rican products over the internet from local merchants
[if you have a reputable business here, and want to sell through the
Mercado, just let us know. We can help you to accept credit cards and
all the major e-currencies on the net! We break through the Great Barrier
that many Costa Rican merchants face getting their products on the net!].
Hotels and tourist businesses will be able to add their own links, and you
will be able to place your own online classifieds and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Watch this newsletter for our official launch, coming soon!
=========================================
FEATURE ARTICLE
=========================================
*Sea Kayaking in Sunny Costa Rica Chases Away Winter Chills
Just as the cold of winter sets in throughout North America, the sun
shines warm and bright on the shores of Costa Rica. Crystal Seas
Kayaking runs trips December through April, right in the heart of the
dry season so spectacular weather is a given. Costa Rica boasts a rich
diversity of plant and animal species and over 20% of its land is
protected as national parks or preserves. Small islands that line the
coast provide ample opportunities to explore and encounter monkeys,
lizards, birds, and other members of the rainforest ecosystem as well as
countless species of marine life.
One of the best ways to explore this extraordinary part of the world is
sea kayaking with Crystal Seas. The company emphasizes low impact
adventures that ensure the preservation of Costa Rica’s environment for
years to come. In an effort to further a positive impact on the local
economy and environment Crystal Seas funds, organizes and carries out
regular waste removal from several of Costa Rica’s public beaches.
Crystal Seas Kayaking offers from two to five day expeditions on the
southeastern Nicoya peninsula, famed for its spectacular weather and
beautiful beaches. The calm waters allow for abundant marine and
terrestrial wildlife viewing while kayaking. Snorkeling gear is also
provided so guests can explore the undersea world as well.
Crystal Seas arranges custom and private tours as well. These may be a
large wedding party, corporate event, group of friends, or a couple who
would like to paddle a special route for a romantic evening. The company
has plenty of resources to accommodate any event.
Join Crystal Seas Kayaking to experience Costa Rica. Contact Crystal Seas
at 877-SEAS-877 (877-7327-877) or visit the company's website at
www.crystalseas.com or email mail@crystalseas.com
=========================================
DISCUSSION
=========================================
Please send your discussion topics to
costarica@destiny-worldwide.net
=========================================
SPONSOR'S MESSAGE
=========================================
If you want to be successful in the years to
come, with the new technology of the internet,
you need to break free of the limitations that
bind the majority of people. ONe of the worst
problems individuals and businesses face today
are high taxes, unfair litigation, lack of
privacy in financial matters, etc.
You cannot be truly successful and free unless
you use all the tools at your disposal, which
includes being financially free, and learning
the ingredients to true success.
These secrets used to not be available to the
ordinary person. They were the guarded secrets
of the elite.
Destiny Worldwide is unique in that we not only give
you the education you need to succeed, but we also
give you access to cutting edge tools in many
different aspects.
From e-commerce to success in your career, regular
business, and handling your finances secure from
the many risks out there today, our constellation
of services gives you the advantages you need to
succeed.
Go to these websites to begin running down the road
to your successful future today!
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net
http://www.offshorearnings.com
You'll be glad you did!
=========================================
NEWS DIGEST
=========================================
*Mudslides Threaten West Central Valley Town
Emergency officials in Escazú, west of San José, are warning residents
and hikers in the protected hills above the town that more big mudslides
are possible during the next few weeks.
Approximately 15,000 square meters of mud, rock and debris slid down a
protected mountainous area between Cerro San Miguel and Pico Blanco
earlier this month, and officials are warning it could happen again soon.
Geologist Julio Madrigal, of the National Emergency Commission (CNE),
estimated that before the rainy season is over, likely sometime next
month, another 15,000 square meters of mud will slide off the mountain
and wash down the Agres River, which runs through the communities of San
Antonio and San Rafael de Escazú.
The area surrounding the banks of the Agres River has been under yellow
alert since Oct. 12 and will likely remain so until sometime in November,
when the transition period between the rainy and dry seasons begins in
the Central Valley, according to the National Meteorological Institute.
Emergency commission spokesman Jorge Alvarez said the yellow alert is
issued for possibly dangerous situations that can be predicted, such as
hurricanes or heavy rainfall. It tells local emergency committees to
communicate the danger to the community and prepare accordingly.
Catalina Roldán, assistant to the Escazú Mayor and member of the Escazú
Emergency Committee, said, “landslides like this happen all the time, but
the danger here resides in the Agres River. It flows right underneath the
land that is waiting to fall, and could drag it down to populated areas.”
Fortunately, she said the immediate vicinity of the land expected to
tumble down is a protected area and therefore uninhabited.
*No Money for Roads!
The Ministerio de Hacienda (Revenue Minister) has made cuts for the 2005
spending budget, to which transport officials say they will have enough
money to pave roads only for the first two months of next year. Some 65
road projects will be put on hold, including much needed pedestrian
overpasses to reduce the number of traffic deaths at key intersections
like the Muñoz & Nanne en la vía Montes de Oca-Curridabat and the
highway that runs in front of Multiplaza and the Hospital Cima in Escazú.
*Inmates Intent To Make "Life Impossible" for former president Rodríguez
Sunday morning, more than 1.500 persons visited friends and loved ones
at the La Reforma prison located in San Rafael de Alajuela. Sunday
mornings between 9am and 1pm is the only visiting day available to
inmates of Costa Rican prisons and detention centres, though the hours
may vary slightly at some institutions.
However, no one was there to visit former president Rafael Angel Calderón
or Miguel Angel Rodríguez. They got their visits on Saturday as prison
officials cope to deal with this historic situation.
Calderón has been in the institution since October 22, while Rodríguez
spent his first night in "puesto 7" Friday night, when a Superior Court
judge overturned a lower court decision for house arrest.
This is the first time in Costa Rica's history that two former presidents
are behind bars, at the same time and in the same institution, both on
charges of corruption.
Prison officials say the two former presidents, though not more than 20
metres apart, are not permitted contact with each other, and their yard
times have been staggered to prevent any contact, as well as their
visiting hours to avoid any confrontations between family members
during visiting hours.
Rodríguez, according to officials, is depressed and frightened as other
inmates have been shouting "Shoot to Kill", in reference to a law that he
signed when he was president, that allowed prison officials to 'shoot to
kil'l any prisoner in the process of an escape.
The law, jointly signed by then Justice Minister, Mónica Nágel, is known
as "Reforma articulo # 8 de la Reglamento de la Policía Penitenciaria",
where it gives prison officials the use of all necessary force to stop a
prison break, including the use of a sub-machine gun and tear gas during
an escape attempt.
Prisoners are intent on make "life impossible" for the former president.
There have been no immediate and direct threats on the life of Rodríguez,
though he maintains to be held, like Calderón, in a secluded area of the
prison and with no contact whatsoever with other inmates.
Prison officials have confirmed that Rodríguez is under a 24 hour watch,
not only for his own safety, but to prevent any suicide attempts given
his severe state of depression.
Minister of Justice, Patricia Vega, confirmed over the weekend that
Rodríguez was moved sometime Friday night from his original cell to
another cell due to disturbances caused by other inmates who were close
to the former president.
Rodríguez is being investigated for corruption in accepting payments,
by way of his former minister, José Antonio Lobo, from Alcatel as
compensation for receiving the "prize" from ICE to install GSM cellular
service. Rodríguez is also being investigated for accepting payments from
the government of Taiwan while in office. The charges include conspiracy
and illegal enrichment.
Rodríguez, like Calderón will spend the next six months in preventive
detention, with a review in three months. The former presidents can
be held for up to 18 months in preventive detention while the Fiscalía
investigates.
The preventive detention can also be extended beyond the 18 months if the
Fiscalía deemed the investigation complicated and is approved by a court,
like in the case of Osvaldo Villalobos, who was held for almost two years
before formal charges being filed against him.
Both, Calderón and Rodríguez are denying any wrongdoing and vowing their
innocence.
*Figueres Mom Abandons Costa Rica!
The Diario Extra reports that, Karen Olsen Beck, the mother of former
president José María Figueres Olsen, "abandoned" Costa Rica, headed for
Miami on an American Airlines flight over the weekend, amid accusations
of corruption that have surrounded her son. Figueres Olsen resigned as
chief of the World Economic Fund, based in Geneva, when it was
discovered that he had received $900.000 payment from Alcatel for
consulting work.
*Fake Tico Passport for Only ¢5.000
Costa Rican immigration officials are investigating the possibility that
a group or groups of organized crime are taking advantage of the poor
economic situations of some Costa Ricans by offering them colones for
their passport.
Marco Badilla, director of Migración, says that they suspect the sale of
passports is a daily business.
This year alone some 100 passports have been discovered to have been sold.
Typically, members of organized groups infiltrate an economically
challenged community and with the aid of a trusted resident make offers
to buy a passport, one that is relatively new and without use or will
help the person obtain a new one.
The price received by several who made their declaration before
immigration officials when they were discovered to have sold their
passport, has been as low as ¢5.000 colones, while most got between
¢10.000 and ¢20.000, plus the cost charged by immigration for a new
passport.
The list of those selling their passport varies from alcoholics, to
psychiatric patients, but mainly to those so poor that the selling of
their passport and that of their children will mean food on the dinner
table.
Once the passport is handed over to the buyer, the passport is reported
stolen or lost. This means that the person can now, with a police report
in hand, solicit another passport. The sold passport is then altered and
re-sold to an end user. "I lost my passport" is the most common reason,
according to immigration officials.
Fake Costa Rican passports have shown up in places like Mexico, Germany
and several other countries where Ticos don't need an entry visa. In
Germany, two phoney passports where discovered when two Orientals landed
at the Frankfurt airport. In Belize, two Cubans were detained last June,
again with fake Tico passports. Their final destination was assumed to
be the United States.
Many countries, like Mexico, Germany, France, Italy and Spain for example,
do not require Costa Ricans to have a visa as a condition of entry, wich
makes a fake Tico passport useful for those trying to enter those
countries, escaping a life from elsewhere.
Badilla admitted that the current passport is very vulnerable to
organized criminals to falsify. Immigration authorities are making a
¢500 million colones fund to combat the situation, with the hope to put
a stop to this activity.
*Evangelicals Oppose Free Trade Agreement with United States
In a joint declaration, Evangelical churches from Costa Rica expressed
their opposition to Free Trade Agreements between the Central American
region and the United States arguing that they exclude the most
vulnerable sectors of the population.
The ecumenical declaration also expressed the rejection of the
"corruption that is embargoing and shadowing the national reality,"
as well as all the power abuses.
It repudiated the "new forms of extortion and manipulation of people's
faith under the flag of the theology of prosperity." We are opposed to
the new markets of faith negotiating and perverting the name of Jesus
Christ, they affirmed.
This declaration is the result of a series of meetings throughout
September and October on the part of leaders, bishops and presidents of
Costa Rican Churches that are members of the Latin American Council of
Churches (CLAI).
The First Central American Evangelical Church, the Costa Rican
Lutheran Church (ILCO), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Costa Rica,
the Lutheran Central American Church and the Episcopal Church signed the
declaration.
At the same time, the Presbyterian Church, the Moravian Church, the
Baptist Federation, the Baptist Seminary, the Mennonite Church, the
Wesleyan Methodist Church, the Community of Love Federation (FEDEICA),
the Latin American Biblical University (UBL) and the Central American
Secretariat of the Latin American Council of Churches.
The joint declaration also expresses the commitment of Evangelicals to
support all the efforts that are being carried out in the Public
Ministry aimed at putting an end to the state of corruption "that an
irresponsible leadership class has maintained us in for decades."
It called on the responsible Costa Rican institutions to continue their
strict monitoring and review of all individuals and institutions that
show signs of corruption or distorting public goods, said the Rev.
Eduardo Chinchilla Guevara, CLAI regional secretary for Mesoamerica.
*Pacheco off to Río for political summit
President Abel Pacheco will leave Costa Rica Tuesday for Río de Janeiro,
Brazil, and the summit of the heads of state of the Río Group.
Pacheco will return to Costa Rica Sunday.
While in Río, Pacheco will meet with Vincente Fox, president of México,
and with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, among
others.
Friday Pacheco will be a guest at a dinner in honor of John Danilovich,
the former U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica who is now in the same post in
Brazil.
*Costa Rican Legislator Linked to Alcatel Payments
Costa Rican congressman Rolando Laclé may have received $71,493 in
certificates from Alfonso Guardia, who is being investigated in
connection with the corruption scandal involving alleged payoffs by the
French telecommunications firm Alacatel to government officials.
Alcatel was awarded a $149 million cellular phone contract with the
Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) in 2001. Former President Miguel
Ángel Rodríguez (1998-2002) has been accused of accepting 60% of a $2.4
million “prize” from the company, and remains in preventive detention as
he is investigated.
“If those funds were given to (Guardia) from some person related to
Alcatel, I am emphatic in saying that I have no relationship with the
Alcatel issue,” Laclé said.
Laclé, 63, is a prominent figure in the ruling – but suffering – Social
Christian Unity Party (PUSC).
He served as Presidency Minister under Rafael Ángel Calderón, who is
serving a nine-month preventive detention order in a prison northwest of
San José , and was a member of Rodríguez's advisory team.
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>>Costa Rica News Digest<<
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*News Digest
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NEWS DIGEST
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*La Prensa Libre
(http://www.prensalibre.co.cr/2004/octubre/29/nacionales07.php in
Spanish)did a story today about ex-President Oscar Arias receiving $1.3
million from the Taiwanese govt.
El Seminario Universidad (http://www.semanario.ucr.ac.cr/pais.html#p3
in Spanish) did a story today about ex-President Oscar Arias' Grupo
Consolidado Sama and it's subsidiary's involvement in the Puerto Caldera
scandal. In addition to Arias, ex-Central Bank president Eduardo Lizano
is also a participant in Grupo Sama.
Yesterday, there was the story asking for explanations of Arias'
involvement in ICE contracts and with the Fabrica Nacional de Licores
and a declaration by a manager at ICE that Arias doesn't have the moral
footing to say anything in the Figueres-Alcatel scandal.
*La Prensa Libre wrote a story today about ex-President Figueres
(http://www.prensalibre.co.cr/2004/octubre/29/economia03.php in
Spanish).
Evidently, only $15k was declared by Figueres in his tax return for
the $900k that Figueres received from Alcatel for his "consultations".
The story goes on to state that Figueres could get 5 to 10 years of
prison if this is proven (fora violation of Art. 81 of the Tax Code) and
a $225k fine.
*Flamingo Marina Resort Commentary
It has been a year and still no results. Most boats are in the
Potrero Bahia they made anchors out of cement drain tubes and filled
them with cement and rolled them out. I notice a yacht now and then
come in but fuel service is limited and you need to use your skiff
at anchor to go ashore. Four boats went down the fishing boat Yahhoo
( I think that is the name) I heard they are not going to rebuild
the engine. A large beautiful sailing yacht which I heard is not
going to be taken up. I could see her mast the next day Saturday. It
was a lot of rain but can not understand how sea going boats
battened down can take on rain and go down in a safe harbour when
they get hit with big waves at sea and stay afloat. I sailed over 15
years around the world three times both canals and seen the damage
that a sixty foot wave can do to a 265,000 DWT tanker with 2 million
barrels aboard.
*Hernán Bravo Avoids Preventive Detention
Former vice president of the board of directors at the Instituto
Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), who admits to having received
us$800.000 from Alcatel got a break from the Juzgado Penal del II
Circuito Judicial de San José, who notified Bravo of the conditions of
his freedom.
The Penal Court chose to place the following conditions on Bravo in
lieu of preventive detention (jail) as long as he completes with the
following requirements:
1. He is not leave Costa Rica and must surrender his passport to judicial
officials.
2. He cannot be within 50 kilometers of a border crossing point
3. He must present himself to the Fiscalía de Delitos Económicos every 15
days to sign in.
4. He must deposit us$100.000 dollars bond within the next five days,
failing which, he will spend time in jail.
*Figueres Resigns as Head of World Economic Forum
José María Figueres Olsen, chief Executive Officer of the World Economic
Forum, has resigned with immediate effect. The World Economic Forum has
accepted his resignation.
The World Economic Forum said on that it "has been informed of allegations
in the press against José María Figueres Olsen that are related with his
years of public service in Costa Rica."
"In this press reporting, the Forum became aware that he had a
significant contractual agreement with another company whilst working in
a leading position at the Forum over two-and-a-half years," the WEF said
in a statement.
"José María Figueres Olsen has tendered his resignation on the basis that
he had clearly breached the rules of the World Economic Forum by not
declaring that he was being retained as a consultant when he took the
post and whilst he was working at the Forum. This issue has no bearing on
the allegations made against José María Figueres regarding those payments
in Costa Rica," the WEF said.
The five remaining members of the managing board of the WEF have fully
assumed Figueres' functions under the leadership of the Executive
Chairman, Klaus Schwab.
The World Economic Forum is the foremost global community of business,
political, intellectual and other leaders of society committed to
improving the state of the world.
Incorporated as a foundation, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the
World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no
political, partisan or national interests.
*Arias Óscar Appeals to Television Viewers
Arias Sanchez, former president of Costa Rica and the 1987 Nobel Peace
Prize winner, went on national television last night to announce his plan
to restructure the PLN party following allegations of wrongdoing by
former president Figueres Olsen, who was thrown out of the party earlier
in the day.
Arias told viewers that is was up to him to "rescue" the party which has
been around began following the war of '48, to fight poverty and
corruption.
Arias assured his audience that he has never been offered nor has he
ever asked for any kickback or commission of any kind.
However, news came yesterday, before the television airing, that the
Fundación Arias para la Paz y el Desarrollo Humano received us$1.3
million dollars from the government of Taiwan, this according to the
director of the foundation, Luis Alberto Cordero.
According to Cordero, the Taiwanese contribution represents 7% of all
revenue for the foundation which began in 1987, founded by ex-president
and Nobel Prize winner and current presidential pre-candidate, Óscar
Arias.
The foundation says it has received about us$19 million dollars from
donations from different government and organization to finance it's
activities. Cordero explained that the first Taiwanese donation came
in 1988 and continued until April of this year.
*Rodríguez Decision Expected Today
Sometime after 9:00am this morning a decision by Superior Ccourt judge
Gabriela Jara will make her decision known on where former President
Miguel Angel Rodríguez will remain under house arrest or be sent to
the La Reforma prison.
Rodríguez has been under house arrest for the last 13 days, after a penal
court judge ordered him under house arrest for six months, rejecting the
request by the Fiscalía for nine months of preventive detention (jail).
The Fiscalía appealed the lower court's decision and thus a hearing was
convened for yesterday morning, where both sides appeared before Superior
Curt judge to make their arguments.
The Fiscalía argued that Rodríguez is a flight risk and that he will
impede their investigation if allowed to stay under house arrest,
where he has access to visits, a telephone and the internet.
Rodríguez's lawyer argued that the former president came back to Costa
Rica on his volition to face justice and cannot be deemed a flight risk.
Rodríguez is also appealing the lower court judge's order to post a
¢250.000.000 colones bond, which was to have been done with 10 days
of his arrest.
Rodríguez was escorted yesterday morning by a group of Judicial
officials and under heavy police security taken to the Goicochea court
house, where in handcuffs, waited in the OIJ jail cells for his
appearance before the court.
Several hours later he was, again under heavy police security, escorted
back to his apartment in Vargas Araya, Montes de Oca, in San Pedro to
await the judge's decision.
Neither side can further appeal the decision by judge Jara, save than
in three months time the Rodríguez detention must be reviewed by courts.
*Figueres Keeping Quiet
Party colours and sides don't seem to matter anymore, as both major
parties - the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) and the Partido
Liberacion Nacional (PLN) - have both been shaken up with accusations of
wrongdoing and corruption.
The latest case involving former president José María Figueres Olsen
(PLN)has stirred anger from all sectors of public and private life, from
President Abel Pacheco to all Costa Ricans from all walks of life.
The Figueres Olsen case is somewhat different than that of former
presidents Calderón and Rodríguez (both of the PUSC) in that Figueres
Olsen received payment for consulting services after leaving public
officer, while Calderón and Rodríguez got paid while in office or later
in relation to decisions and appointments related to their public charge.
According to Juan Diego Castro, lawyers for Figueres Olsen, his client
is not under any obligation to return to Costa Rica as there are no
charges of any wrongdoing. He told the press that "his client got paid
for services after he left office and not related to his presidency, and
that is the major difference to the others".
According to Castro, Figueres Olsen has committed no illegal act and at
best he would owe an explanation as to why he was paid such a high fee.
Casto said, "only the Ministerio Público can know if the payment is
outside the boundaries the Penal Code."
The Ministerio Público is the public body that has the authority to
carry out an investigation and present any charges. Thus, it is not
publicly known is the Ministerio Público is carrying out any
investigation of Figueres Olsen or what plans they have to get to the
bottom of the accusations against the former president.
*New Anticorruption Law Official
With the objective to detect and punish dishonesty in public
functionaries, the new anti corruption law "Ley contra la corrupción
y el enriquecimiento ilícito" comes into effect today.
The law was published in yesterday's edition of the official
newspaper "La Gaceta", at a time when Costa Rica has been shaken
with one sandal after another, which has left so far in it's wake two
ex-presidents implicated, a score of former public functionaries and
businessmen facing charges of corruption, influence peddling and
illegal enrichment.
Now, it will be a crime both for public functionaries to receive bribes
and for those willing to pay for special favours or influence a public
official.
With the new law, a public employee can be immediately dismissed
without severance, as well as a three to six years prison for any
person who benefits personally form any contract, agreement or
appointment against the common interest and use and destination of
public funds.
The law was approved by the Legislative Assembly five years ago, however,
it was approved in the first round of debate May 20 of this year. It
was in mid September when the law came up for second round of debate
and approved earlier this month.
The Imprenta Nacional has published a special edition that details the
specific points of the new law, that will be available for sale.
*Potholes in the streets? Get used to it.
Ministro de Hacienda (Revenue Minister), Federico Carrillo, says there
is no money to repair the potholes in the streets.
His ministry has an order to hand over some ¢9.000.000.000 colones to
the municipalities to repair the streets, that in some cases are
un-drivable.
The mayors are not happy with response, claiming they are the ones who
have to answer dozens of daily complaints over potholes. The Unión de
Municipalidades is preparing measures to force the payment.
The same problem is being lived on the national roads like the Inter
American highway that connects Costa Rica to it's neighbours, Nicaragua
to the North and Panama to the South.
Some stretches of the highway reduces traffic to a crawl as drivers
try to avoid the potholes. The Ministro de Transportes is claiming the
same thing, there is no money for the repairs.
*Ambassador quits to face political fundraising questions
The most powerful woman in the Abel Pacheco administration gave up her
ambassador’s post Thursday about the same time that a legislative
committee voted unanimously to ask the president to direct her to answer
questioning.
The committee is the special one set up to investigate how the political
parties raised money in the last presidential campaign. The work of this
committee and the scandals of the last presidential election have been
overshadowed by corruption allegations against three ex-presidents.
The woman is Rina Contreras, a former legislative president and former
minister to the Presidencia. She was named the country’s ambassador to
the Organization of American States and was to take over the job next
week. Ms. Contreras said she was stepping down for personal family
reasons. Her mother was widowed recently.
At the legislature, the seven-member panel accepted a measure presented
by Gloria Valerín of the rival Partido Liberación Nacional. The
committee members said there still were loose ends that Ms. Contreras
had to explain. The last time that Mrs. Contreras appeared before the
committee she declined to be sworn in, said Ms. Valerín.
Ms. Contreras served on the Pacheco election committee as well. Recent
disclosures show that the campaign received major donations from foreign
sources, something prohibited by law, and in amounts far beyond what the
law allows.
=========================================
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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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>>Costa Rica News Digest<<
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TODAY'S CONTENTS
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*News Digest
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WHAT'S NEW AT THE COSTA RICA PAGE!
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Our real estate section has just been totally updated with lots of
new listings, mostly in the residential real estate section, but also
we have a new rental on the rental page and some new additions to the
land for sale section.
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/real.htm
We are adding new things every day, and when our merger comes with
COSTARICACENTER.COM, we will have a fully operational Mercado Central
for you to buy Costa Rican products over the internet from local merchants
[if you have a reputable business here, and want to sell through the
Mercado, just let us know. We can help you to accept credit cards and
all the major e-currencies on the net! We break through the Great Barrier
that many Costa Rican merchants face getting their products on the net!].
Hotels and tourist businesses will be able to add their own links, and you
will be able to place your own online classifieds and MUCH MUCH MORE!
Watch this newsletter for our official launch, coming soon!
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FEATURE ARTICLE
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DISCUSSION
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Please send your discussion topics to
costarica@destiny-worldwide.net
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SPONSOR'S MESSAGE
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NEWS DIGEST
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*La Prensa Libre
(http://www.prensalibre.co.cr/2004/octubre/29/nacionales07.php in
Spanish)did a story today about ex-President Oscar Arias receiving $1.3
million from the Taiwanese govt.
El Seminario Universidad (http://www.semanario.ucr.ac.cr/pais.html#p3
in Spanish) did a story today about ex-President Oscar Arias' Grupo
Consolidado Sama and it's subsidiary's involvement in the Puerto Caldera
scandal. In addition to Arias, ex-Central Bank president Eduardo Lizano
is also a participant in Grupo Sama.
Yesterday, there was the story asking for explanations of Arias'
involvement in ICE contracts and with the Fabrica Nacional de Licores
and a declaration by a manager at ICE that Arias doesn't have the moral
footing to say anything in the Figueres-Alcatel scandal.
*La Prensa Libre wrote a story today about ex-President Figueres
(http://www.prensalibre.co.cr/2004/octubre/29/economia03.php in
Spanish).
Evidently, only $15k was declared by Figueres in his tax return for
the $900k that Figueres received from Alcatel for his "consultations".
The story goes on to state that Figueres could get 5 to 10 years of
prison if this is proven (fora violation of Art. 81 of the Tax Code) and
a $225k fine.
*Flamingo Marina Resort Commentary
It has been a year and still no results. Most boats are in the
Potrero Bahia they made anchors out of cement drain tubes and filled
them with cement and rolled them out. I notice a yacht now and then
come in but fuel service is limited and you need to use your skiff
at anchor to go ashore. Four boats went down the fishing boat Yahhoo
( I think that is the name) I heard they are not going to rebuild
the engine. A large beautiful sailing yacht which I heard is not
going to be taken up. I could see her mast the next day Saturday. It
was a lot of rain but can not understand how sea going boats
battened down can take on rain and go down in a safe harbour when
they get hit with big waves at sea and stay afloat. I sailed over 15
years around the world three times both canals and seen the damage
that a sixty foot wave can do to a 265,000 DWT tanker with 2 million
barrels aboard.
*Hernán Bravo Avoids Preventive Detention
Former vice president of the board of directors at the Instituto
Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), who admits to having received
us$800.000 from Alcatel got a break from the Juzgado Penal del II
Circuito Judicial de San José, who notified Bravo of the conditions of
his freedom.
The Penal Court chose to place the following conditions on Bravo in
lieu of preventive detention (jail) as long as he completes with the
following requirements:
1. He is not leave Costa Rica and must surrender his passport to judicial
officials.
2. He cannot be within 50 kilometers of a border crossing point
3. He must present himself to the Fiscalía de Delitos Económicos every 15
days to sign in.
4. He must deposit us$100.000 dollars bond within the next five days,
failing which, he will spend time in jail.
*Figueres Resigns as Head of World Economic Forum
José María Figueres Olsen, chief Executive Officer of the World Economic
Forum, has resigned with immediate effect. The World Economic Forum has
accepted his resignation.
The World Economic Forum said on that it "has been informed of allegations
in the press against José María Figueres Olsen that are related with his
years of public service in Costa Rica."
"In this press reporting, the Forum became aware that he had a
significant contractual agreement with another company whilst working in
a leading position at the Forum over two-and-a-half years," the WEF said
in a statement.
"José María Figueres Olsen has tendered his resignation on the basis that
he had clearly breached the rules of the World Economic Forum by not
declaring that he was being retained as a consultant when he took the
post and whilst he was working at the Forum. This issue has no bearing on
the allegations made against José María Figueres regarding those payments
in Costa Rica," the WEF said.
The five remaining members of the managing board of the WEF have fully
assumed Figueres' functions under the leadership of the Executive
Chairman, Klaus Schwab.
The World Economic Forum is the foremost global community of business,
political, intellectual and other leaders of society committed to
improving the state of the world.
Incorporated as a foundation, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the
World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no
political, partisan or national interests.
*Arias Óscar Appeals to Television Viewers
Arias Sanchez, former president of Costa Rica and the 1987 Nobel Peace
Prize winner, went on national television last night to announce his plan
to restructure the PLN party following allegations of wrongdoing by
former president Figueres Olsen, who was thrown out of the party earlier
in the day.
Arias told viewers that is was up to him to "rescue" the party which has
been around began following the war of '48, to fight poverty and
corruption.
Arias assured his audience that he has never been offered nor has he
ever asked for any kickback or commission of any kind.
However, news came yesterday, before the television airing, that the
Fundación Arias para la Paz y el Desarrollo Humano received us$1.3
million dollars from the government of Taiwan, this according to the
director of the foundation, Luis Alberto Cordero.
According to Cordero, the Taiwanese contribution represents 7% of all
revenue for the foundation which began in 1987, founded by ex-president
and Nobel Prize winner and current presidential pre-candidate, Óscar
Arias.
The foundation says it has received about us$19 million dollars from
donations from different government and organization to finance it's
activities. Cordero explained that the first Taiwanese donation came
in 1988 and continued until April of this year.
*Rodríguez Decision Expected Today
Sometime after 9:00am this morning a decision by Superior Ccourt judge
Gabriela Jara will make her decision known on where former President
Miguel Angel Rodríguez will remain under house arrest or be sent to
the La Reforma prison.
Rodríguez has been under house arrest for the last 13 days, after a penal
court judge ordered him under house arrest for six months, rejecting the
request by the Fiscalía for nine months of preventive detention (jail).
The Fiscalía appealed the lower court's decision and thus a hearing was
convened for yesterday morning, where both sides appeared before Superior
Curt judge to make their arguments.
The Fiscalía argued that Rodríguez is a flight risk and that he will
impede their investigation if allowed to stay under house arrest,
where he has access to visits, a telephone and the internet.
Rodríguez's lawyer argued that the former president came back to Costa
Rica on his volition to face justice and cannot be deemed a flight risk.
Rodríguez is also appealing the lower court judge's order to post a
¢250.000.000 colones bond, which was to have been done with 10 days
of his arrest.
Rodríguez was escorted yesterday morning by a group of Judicial
officials and under heavy police security taken to the Goicochea court
house, where in handcuffs, waited in the OIJ jail cells for his
appearance before the court.
Several hours later he was, again under heavy police security, escorted
back to his apartment in Vargas Araya, Montes de Oca, in San Pedro to
await the judge's decision.
Neither side can further appeal the decision by judge Jara, save than
in three months time the Rodríguez detention must be reviewed by courts.
*Figueres Keeping Quiet
Party colours and sides don't seem to matter anymore, as both major
parties - the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) and the Partido
Liberacion Nacional (PLN) - have both been shaken up with accusations of
wrongdoing and corruption.
The latest case involving former president José María Figueres Olsen
(PLN)has stirred anger from all sectors of public and private life, from
President Abel Pacheco to all Costa Ricans from all walks of life.
The Figueres Olsen case is somewhat different than that of former
presidents Calderón and Rodríguez (both of the PUSC) in that Figueres
Olsen received payment for consulting services after leaving public
officer, while Calderón and Rodríguez got paid while in office or later
in relation to decisions and appointments related to their public charge.
According to Juan Diego Castro, lawyers for Figueres Olsen, his client
is not under any obligation to return to Costa Rica as there are no
charges of any wrongdoing. He told the press that "his client got paid
for services after he left office and not related to his presidency, and
that is the major difference to the others".
According to Castro, Figueres Olsen has committed no illegal act and at
best he would owe an explanation as to why he was paid such a high fee.
Casto said, "only the Ministerio Público can know if the payment is
outside the boundaries the Penal Code."
The Ministerio Público is the public body that has the authority to
carry out an investigation and present any charges. Thus, it is not
publicly known is the Ministerio Público is carrying out any
investigation of Figueres Olsen or what plans they have to get to the
bottom of the accusations against the former president.
*New Anticorruption Law Official
With the objective to detect and punish dishonesty in public
functionaries, the new anti corruption law "Ley contra la corrupción
y el enriquecimiento ilícito" comes into effect today.
The law was published in yesterday's edition of the official
newspaper "La Gaceta", at a time when Costa Rica has been shaken
with one sandal after another, which has left so far in it's wake two
ex-presidents implicated, a score of former public functionaries and
businessmen facing charges of corruption, influence peddling and
illegal enrichment.
Now, it will be a crime both for public functionaries to receive bribes
and for those willing to pay for special favours or influence a public
official.
With the new law, a public employee can be immediately dismissed
without severance, as well as a three to six years prison for any
person who benefits personally form any contract, agreement or
appointment against the common interest and use and destination of
public funds.
The law was approved by the Legislative Assembly five years ago, however,
it was approved in the first round of debate May 20 of this year. It
was in mid September when the law came up for second round of debate
and approved earlier this month.
The Imprenta Nacional has published a special edition that details the
specific points of the new law, that will be available for sale.
*Potholes in the streets? Get used to it.
Ministro de Hacienda (Revenue Minister), Federico Carrillo, says there
is no money to repair the potholes in the streets.
His ministry has an order to hand over some ¢9.000.000.000 colones to
the municipalities to repair the streets, that in some cases are
un-drivable.
The mayors are not happy with response, claiming they are the ones who
have to answer dozens of daily complaints over potholes. The Unión de
Municipalidades is preparing measures to force the payment.
The same problem is being lived on the national roads like the Inter
American highway that connects Costa Rica to it's neighbours, Nicaragua
to the North and Panama to the South.
Some stretches of the highway reduces traffic to a crawl as drivers
try to avoid the potholes. The Ministro de Transportes is claiming the
same thing, there is no money for the repairs.
*Ambassador quits to face political fundraising questions
The most powerful woman in the Abel Pacheco administration gave up her
ambassador’s post Thursday about the same time that a legislative
committee voted unanimously to ask the president to direct her to answer
questioning.
The committee is the special one set up to investigate how the political
parties raised money in the last presidential campaign. The work of this
committee and the scandals of the last presidential election have been
overshadowed by corruption allegations against three ex-presidents.
The woman is Rina Contreras, a former legislative president and former
minister to the Presidencia. She was named the country’s ambassador to
the Organization of American States and was to take over the job next
week. Ms. Contreras said she was stepping down for personal family
reasons. Her mother was widowed recently.
At the legislature, the seven-member panel accepted a measure presented
by Gloria Valerín of the rival Partido Liberación Nacional. The
committee members said there still were loose ends that Ms. Contreras
had to explain. The last time that Mrs. Contreras appeared before the
committee she declined to be sworn in, said Ms. Valerín.
Ms. Contreras served on the Pacheco election committee as well. Recent
disclosures show that the campaign received major donations from foreign
sources, something prohibited by law, and in amounts far beyond what the
law allows.
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