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TODAY'S CONTENTS
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*News Digest
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NEWS DIGEST
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*Two More Bodies Recovered Thursday
Officials said Thursday they have discovered two bodies from the crash of a
small plane that had carried U.S. and Canadian skydivers.
The Ministerio de Seguridad Pública ( Security Ministry) did not identify the
bodies that were discovered Thursday, a day after U.S. skydiver William
Slater, 34, was rescued from the water near a marina 96 kilometres southwest
of San José.
Authorities said Slater, who remained in Hospital Mexico Thursday, told them
the plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean Tuesday afternoon after encountering
turbulence.
He said he and two others had leaped from the plane with parachutes after
feeling strong vibration from the top of the aircraft.
Costa Rican officials identified the others aboard the plane as local pilot
Jorge Melendez; Milton Burton, a Canadian skydiving instructor who owned a
company called Skydive Costa Rica; Emanuel Sanchez Cornejo, a Mexican-born
U.S. citizen, and U.S. citizens James Simplicio and Jean Roman.
In a news release, the ministry said it "confirms the finding of the lifeless
bodies of two men" near Herradura beach. It said the others aboard the plane
"are intensively searched for."
Roger Sequeira, an employee of Skydive Costa Rica, told the Spanish language
daily La Nación the group was making its final skydiving flight of the day
"because it was dark and began to rain and there was a strong wind."
Authorities said pieces of the plane were seen in widely dispersed areas.
The search for the remaining bodies was called off at nightfall last night
and resumed at daybreak today. According to Jorge Rovira, rescue operations
chief for the Cruz Roja (Red Corss), said their strategy for the search is
use more aeral passes over the area, concentrating more on the area of the
crash.
Operators of the luxury resort Marriott Los Sueños have helped in the rescue
efforts as well as a score of private boat owners, according to Rovira, who
added that today they will be using special equipment to try to locate the
bodies and fuselage of the small aircraft.
What Caused the Crash?
The Preliminary investigation shows the plane may have been knocked down from
the sky excessive turbulence.
Investigators are discounting engine failure. If engine failuer had been
the case, the experienced pilot would have headed for the coast, experts say.
One of the investigators said that once they we eliminated the possibility of
engine failure, it can be assumed that the aircraft lost stability due to
excessive turbulence.
Authorities are presuming that the pilot got too close to a wind current in
his climb to gain altitude for the last jump of the day for the skydivers.
Unnamed sources close to the investigation told the press that, in the last
trip of the day, the aircraft's pilot Meléndez was surprised by the strong
wind current. At the time, the climate over the Pacific was bad and it was
raining.
The pilot was making his climb to the 8.000 foot altitude so that the
skydivers could make their jump, but, authorities believe he never made it
past 3.000 feet.
*Pacheco Criticizes Media For Attacks on Him
Last night, in a national address on television and radio, President Abel
Pacheco began his attack against the collective media for the persecution
campaign against him and for discrediting him in the past week.
The President told his audience that there are some media who are angry with
the government for not buying advertising space from them, the reason which
is that they are more expensive and that his government has to use public
funds wisely.
He did not name names.
Pacheco added that the game these people are playing is a dangerous one, as
they generalize their discredit, the real corrupt can take advantage of the
situation by dressing in sheep's clothing and create a climate of uncertainty
for all.
"You know me and know how I am. Abel Pacheco, will not yield his principles.
Costa Ricans can be sure about that", were the words spoken by the President.
Pacheco took the time to explain what he says is the "truth".
He said he has nothing to hide and explained in detail his trip to Dominican
Republic and Spain last year, and that it was all done in public and fully
covered my the media. There was no mystery or secret to his trips and that
now the media is trying to make a scandal out of it.
The president admitted that he did use the tickets for the San José - Miami -
San José portion of his trip, tickets given free of charge to the government
by TACA airlines, that which Pacheco commented was normal practice among the
other Central American presidents for decades.
The President spoke about the facts surrounding his trips to Sevilla, Spain
and the publication of his book by the prestigious Ateneo de Sevilla and the
Fundación Martín Robles, which are highly respected around the world. "In
this case they have tied a series of events that make me look corrupt and
that the publicatio of the book is payment for a favour, which I did not or
have conceded. This is false. It is a lie", the President told his viewing
and listening audience.
"You know me, you know how I am and not because I say it, but because there
71 years of public testimony of an honest and correct life", president
Pacheco referred to his reputation.
As to the naming of Bernardo Martín Moreno where he is accused of making a
trade, naming the Moreno to Honourary Consul in Sevilla, Spain, for the
publication of his book, Pacheco said it was utterly false and evil. "Costa
Ricans, things have gone so far, that one day, while I was flying to
Guatemala in economy class, they were watching to see if the peanuts I was
given were just for me or for all passengers. I could not beleive that. It
has gone to the ridiculous, to the point where my colleagues in the region,
kidding, are callinbg me 'el presidente ceniciento"."
Pacheco explained that there are powerful forced in the country that are
angry with him over the Plan Fiscal (Tax Plan) that will see the rich being
taxed as they should, like they should have been for many years already. They
tell me that there are also those who would have loved if I had sold off ICE
(the state monopoly on telecommunications and electricity), which I will not
do.
"If that is why they are angry with me, well let them continue to be angry,
because I will not yield on the tax reforms, the TLC and nor will I hand them
the ICE flag, nor the INS or the Caja, I will not hand over Costa Rican goods
so that a few can do business.
If these people is what they want to is treat me ill and discredit me, let
them because I can bear it for I am used to it," affirmed the President.
COMMENT: Well, well, well, now that HIS corruption is coming to light, it
is simply a "media circus" and all over peanuts? Spoken like a true
demagogue! Bravo! The facts are still the facts, el presidente, no matter
how you squell like a stuck pig when your evil deeds come to light! Let's
see, someone publishes your book for free, and in return, they become
honorary counsel and get the primest bids on a gigantic tourism project.
It is all so transparant, huh, and just a personal attack? HOGWASH! And
we are not forgetting your OWN illegal campaign contributions. But, in your
own words, maybe we should be going after the "truly corrupt," which, I
guess, means ANYONE BUT YOURSELF? I think we have it right. I hope they
strip you of your immunity and haul you away in the Perrara just like you did
to your enemies, and impeach you before your term is over. You were so quick
with your condemnations then, but now that the shoe is on your own foot, you
hide behind your own immunity. We most certainly DO understand!
*Canadian Arrested For Drug Smuggling
A 29 year old Canadian woman was arrested by the Policía de Control de Drogas
(PCD) at the Juan Santamaría airport in San José when it was discovered that
she was hiding drugs - heroin and cocaine - in her travel bags.
The woman identified only by her last name, Haehnel, was travelling with her
11 year old son when she was stopped by the PCD agents.
According to the PCD, the woman had 1.086 grams of heroin and 2.239 grams of
cocaine hidden in her suitcases.
The woman was travelling from Panama to Canada with a stop in Costa Rica
according to a spokesperson for Ministerio de Seguridad Pública, which also
added that the woman's child will be in the hands of the Canadian Embassy who
will contact the boy's family and arrange for his return home.
Thousands of kilos of cocaine have been confiscated by police this year,
however, this is only the fourth instance of seizure of heroin.
If found guilty, drug traffickers face a conviction of 20 years in prison.
*Man Chains Himself to Post Saying He Was Scammed
Michael Lee Rouco, a 45 year old American, living in Naranjo chained himself
to a light post on Wednesday to protest that an architect scammed him of
us$56.000 dollars.
Rouco took along a chair to sit on when he got tired while being chained to
post in Naranjo's central par. Naranjo is small community northwest of San
José.
It was about 9am when the man decided to chain himself to the post to bring
attention of his complaint against a man identified as Herrera, who according
to Rouco, represented himself as an architect to design and build his house
in Berlín de Sam Ramon for a fee of ¢26 million colones, but instead made off
with the money.
Quickly a crowed gathered around the man as the curious stood by to watch was
happening. Members of the Fuerza Publica (police) were dispatched to the
scene as well as the Cruz Roja (Red Cross).
Following a dialouge between police and Rouco, the police officers dispatched
to the scene left and Rouco remained chained to the post. Last report is that
Rouco is still there.
What Rouco wants, according to the Fuerza Publica officers, is that Herrera
show his face and admit his guilt.
Rouco talked to a reporter of the Spanish language dialy Diario Extra,
telling the reported that his nightmare began when he signed a contract with
Herrera. "I am happy to be living in Costa Rica among hard working people. He
was recommended and inspired my trust", Rouco told the reporter.
According to Rouco, Herrera told him that he could use a bank account help by
Herrera to make the deposit for the construction, of which only 25% of the
house is built and took off with the rest of the money in the account.
"I won't leave until h (Herrera) apologizes and finishes my house", Rouco
said.
Herrera being contacted by the newspaper told his side of the story, who
assures that his client is experiencing some kind of mental breakdown. He
said he has all the documents, contracts and receipts that prove the man is
lying and has offered to meet the man in his office to go over the bills, in
the presence of his (Herrera )lawyer
*Court Upholds Ericsson Contract
Costa Rica's Constitutional Court (Sala IV) has thrown out a lawyer's attempt
to annul a us$130 million contract awarded to Ericsson by telecom monopoly
ICE and approved by the comptroller, for the installation of a new GSM
network.
Lawyer Pablo Barahona took legal action last week against the officials of
the comptroller's office, reviving allegations of bribery between employees
of ICE and Ericsson. He alleged that Ericsson paid for hotel lodgings of
former ICE officials during a visit to Sweden last year.
The contract, which is for 600,000 GSM lines, got the green light in March
this year despite an internal investigation into possible bribery.
The nod from the constitutional court is an added guarantee that the project
will go ahead.
ICE hopes to begin selling lines by December 2005, when it will try to have
around 200,000 ready. Ericsson's GSM network will let subscribers send
photos, animated images and music from their handsets.
The current GSM network installed by Alcatel only allows SMS text messaging
GPRS internet service,
Costa Rica ran completely out of new mobile lines last December and has been
rapidly selling off phone lines from delinquent accounts to alleviate the
situation.
*Bolivian president takes measures to calm unrest
Bolivian President Carlos Mesa signed a decree on Thursday to quell weeks of
unrest over a new energy policy that indigenous groups felt fell short on
state control.
Mesa, who came into power 19 months ago, called on Congress to elect a
constitutional assembly to rewrite the constitution with the aim of
redistributing power in favor of the poor indigenous majority.
In addition, a referendum on regional autonomy would be held on October 16,
said the president.
"The country is experiencing a very critical moment, a high-risk
confrontational situation and in this context we cannot wait until Tuesday,"
he said in a televised announcement, referring to a planned debate in
Congress on constitutional reform and a referendum on regional autonomy.
"I urge this country to return to calm," the leader added.
He also called on the Roman Catholic church to sponsor a "national meeting"
of politicians and social leaders to calm the unrest.
Protesters took to the streets after the parliament passed a law on May 17 to
levy a 50-percent tax on foreign oil and gas companies operating in the
country which boasts an estimated 48.7 trillion cubic meters of natural gas,
the second-highest reserves in South America after Venezuela.
Trade unions, including the Regional Trade Union and the Bolivian Central
Trade Union, and farmer, indigenous and student organizations participated in
the demonstrations to push for a rewrite of the constitution and for
nationalization of the naturalgas wealth.
Demonstrators also demanded the resignation of President Mesa, the closing of
the congress and the trial of ex-president Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada who
resigned in October 2003.
Demonstration has turned into riots since May 24 when marchers blocked a
downtown square in La Paz, where the executive and legislative departments
are located, and began to smash windows inbuildings and cars in the
surrounding streets.
Mesa released a statement Wednesday, calling on the demonstrators to "respect
the president of the republic, the national government and people in
general."
*Bolivia rejects OAS intervention in internal crisis
Bolivia rejects any kind of intervention in its internal affairs by the
Organization of American States (OAS), the Bolivian Foreign Ministry said
Thursday.
"The social difficulties faced by the country will be sorted out by the
Bolivian people within the framework of their institutions and democratic
mechanisms," the ministry said in a statement.
It added that the country's constitution has not been revised "to justify a
mediation" from the international community or "friend countries," according
to reports from La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia.
The statement came after the OAS said it may discuss the political situation
in Bolivia at a general assembly session, which will be held next week in the
United States.
The current unrest in Bolivia was sparked by a law passed by the congress
imposing a 50-percent tax on foreign oil and gas companies operating in the
country.
Opponents first demanded higher taxes but gradually turned their demand to
the resignation of President Carlos Mesa, the nationalization of the
lucrative oil and gas industry, the closing of the congress and a call for a
constitutional assembly.
Argentine Ambassador to Bolivia Horacio Mercado said last week that Bolivia
has turned down an offer from Argentina to mediate in its internal conflict.
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TODAY'S CONTENTS
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*Feature Article: Pacheco Will Not Give Up His Immunity
*Feature Article 2: Bolanos Delcares State of Emergency in Nicaragua
*News Digest
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FEATURE ARTICLE
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*Pacheco Will Not Give Up His Immunity in the Face of Accusations Against Him
President Abel Pacheco, following accusations of irregularities for accepting
and not reporting gifts, including the use of free tickets provided by TACA
airlines, said yesterday he won't give up his immunity in the investigation,
but will answer a call by the Ministerio Público and/or the Asamblea
Legislative.
The President is involved in accusations of wrongdoing when it was discovered
that Spanish businessman Bernardo Martín was appointed Honourary Consul for
Costa Rica in Sevilla, Spain, is also a partner in a development project in
Papagayo (Guanacaste) that is being headed by former Tourism Minister, Rubén
Pacheco, that requires a government concession to develop the property.
Bernardo Martín is also responsible for the free publication of President
Pacheco's book which was unveiled in December 2004, in Sevilla, when he was
accompanied by his former minister and Chief Protocol officer, Jorge Arce,
who resigned on Monday after it was discovered that he also acted as legal
counsel for Bernardo Martín.
The storm that is surrounding the President is growing every day, slowing to
become a hurricane, as the Fiscalía decided to open an investigation into
accusations.
Pacheco said he won't give up his immunity "because it would be foolish of
him, but God will help. That is what my enemies want, because if for the sake
of transparency, I give it up, at the same moment, they will make 60 charges,
60 trials or maybe 200, and I will spend my life defending the accusations
and not governing."
Pacheco added that it has been difficult concentrating on governing this past
week amid all the accusations and mudslinging and that if he gave up his
immunity he would be spending most of his time from court to court, but it
doesn't mean he won't answer to calls made against him, he will not hide his
face and make himself available to the judicial system and Costaricans.
"I am not hiding from the Fiscalía (prosecutor's office) and the moment the
fiscal general, Francisco Dall’Anesse, calls me I will go to him and give him
a full accounting of my actions, with all my conscience and clarity. I may
have mistakes, but that I acted in bad faith, not in a moment" added Pacheco.
To clear matters up, Pacheco said that he paid out of his own pocket the trip
to Spain and 3 day vacation to the Cayman Islands on the return leg of the
trip last December. He also assured that he has returned the lifetime
membership he received in Capa Cana in the Dominican Republic and that he
will never be back there.
He said he paid for the costs incurred on that part of the trip and will also
pay for the free tickers given to the government by TACA airlines for the San
José - Miami - San José leg of the trip to Spain.
Pacheco said that the "tarjeta azul" is given to all the presidents of the
Central American nations by the airline which saves the government money for
presidential travel. "Here there is a persecution against the President of
the Repubic. It hasn't occurred to anyone to ask the other Central American
presidents to give back their blue cards, given as a courtesy by TACA. These
attacks against the presidents are not good for the country" said Pacheco.
Since Monday, Jorge Arce, Pacheco's chief protocol officer has resigned and
former minister Rubén Pacheco has been removed from the President's counsel
on economic matters and Bernardo Martin resigned his post as Honourary Consul
for Costa Rica in Sevilla.
COMMENT: Well well well! A few years ago, Pacheco said he would give up
his immunity when he was accused of illegal campaign contributions from
some of the same sources that landed two other ex presidents in jail. But
apparantly, now that things have heated up considerably, he has suddenly
changed his mind! Among his connections in Spain, might we discover that
the folks behind RETIVE, the illegal private monopoly to check cars, have
enjoyed the same benefits and privileges as the Spanish businessman involved
in this scheme? INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!
========================================
DISCUSSION
=========================================
Please send your discussion topics to our Costa
Rica discussion group. You will either get an
answer from us, or another helpful member of
the group, and really important issues will be
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FEATURE ARTICLE 2
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*Power shortage draws decree of emergency
MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The President of Nicaragua, Enrique Bolaños Geyer, has
suspended by presidential decree the constitutional rights to petition,
assembly and protest as well as access to the court system. Also suspended
are the rights to immediate injunctive relief (recurso de amparo and recurso
de exhibición personal) as complementary measures. All the suspensions are
part of a decree of an economic state of emergency.
The decree includes an immediate emergency energy rate increase in an effort
to solve the continuing crisis of power generation in Nicaragua. The
constitutional rights that are specifically suspended are contained in
articles, 32, 45 and 52 of the Nicaraguan Constitution. These rights, by
presidential decree, are suspended for a term of six months unless the decree
is rejected by the National Assembly.
The president also decreed an 11.83 percent rate increase in favor of Unión
Fenosa, the Spanish multinational energy provider, increasing the cost of
electrical energy for all Nicaraguan consumers of more than 150 kilowatt
hours in one month. Energy suppliers to Unión Fenosa had turned off a portion
of the generating system last week forcing the Nicaraguan government to
purchase electrical energy from the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad
in Costa Rica at higher marginal prices to cover the energy shortfall and
avoid blackouts.
The suspension of constitutional rights is unprecedented in modern Nicaraguan
history. All of the members of the cabinet, with the notable exception of
Vice President Jose Rizo, signed the decree in public support of Bolaños.
Rizo refused to sign the document stating that it was an "additional attempt
to cause friction between the legislative and executive branches of
government." Bolaños retorted by stating that Rizo was a "solitary voice and
playing games."
Bolaños also announced that he was informing the United Nations of his
actions as well as the Organization of American States, which already is
scheduled to discuss the Nicaraguan political situation in a meeting next
week.
The National Assembly has only 72 hours to accept, reject or modify the
declared state of emergency from the date of publication in La Gazeta, the
national journal of Nicaraguan governmental affairs.
Both major political parties have sworn to reject the decree which may be
acted upon as early as today. Wilfredo Navarro, vice president of the
National Assembly, declared that the entire state of emergency was a "smoke
screen" for the benefit of Unión Fenosa and an effort to gather power in a
continuing battle by Bolaños against the National Assembly.
Sandinista Deputy José Figueroa stated that his party categorically rejects
the suspension of Nicaraguan constitutional rights without giving details
regarding further legislative actions. The veto, if in fact voted upon by the
deputies, will be easily rejected as 82 of the 92 votes of the Assembly are
controlled by the Partido Liberal Constitutionalista and Sandinista.
Political commentators also noted that the Dirección General de Impuestos,
the Nicaraguan tax agency, was commencing an audit process for all of the
individual returns of the members of the Assembly. This announcement is the
latest salvo in the war between governmental powers.
Deputies had cut $1.8 million dollars from the DGI budget last week
purportedly in retaliation for the enforcement of a tax lien imposed by DGI
against the bank accounts of the assembly. The DGI said the lien was due to
the alleged failure of the assembly to collect taxes from its members and
staff.
*Nicaraguan vice president urges rejection of state of economic
Nicaraguan Vice President Jose Rizo Castellon called on the National Assembly
on Tuesday to reject the "state of economic emergency" proposed in a decree
by President Enrique Bolanos and seek stability of the country.
Rizo said in a television program that he would ask his party, the Liberal
Constitutionalist, to reject the decree at the National Assembly as soon as
possible and seek dialogue with the executive power to search for solutions
based on consensus.
The economic emergency decree would only worsen the crisis instead of
overcoming it, he added.
Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos decreed on Monday a state of economic
emergency for 180 days in an attempt to tide over an energy crisis that has
forced a three-hours-a day rationing of electricity supply in the country.
Rizo said the emergency decree "does not produce initiatives to seek strong
alternatives to end the national energy crisis, and does not contain any
single idea on how to cope with the economic crisis."
"The solution will not be found by Bolanos alone," said the vice president,
who also suggested a national consensus on making a series of laws to cope
with the economic and energy crisis.
Bolanos said earlier that the current energy crisis was due to high fuel
prices. He announced on Monday an increase in the electricity rate by 11.83
percent for users who consume more than 150 kwh a month, but the date for the
decree to come into effect has not been decided yet. Only one-fourth of
electricity users will be affected by the surcharge.
Bolanos should send the decree to the country's National Assembly for
discussion and approval within 72 hours from its publication in the Official
Gazette.
=========================================
NEWS DIGEST
=========================================
*Fiscalía Asks TACA For Information on Free Tickets Used by President Pacheco
The accusations against President Abel Pacheco receiving unreported gifts and
the resignation of the President's Chief Protocol officer on Monday prompted
the Fiscalía de Delitos Económicos to open an investigation (Prosecutor's
office for ecomonic crimes) into the matter.
One of the first stops for the Fiscales (prosecutors) was at the airline
TACA, which last week made public that it donated, in the normal course of
business, the airline tickets used by the president Pacheco to Miami and back
for his personal trip to Spain in December of 2004.
The airline made it clear that it is a normal practice to give free tickets
to the government - the Ministerio de la Presidencia and Aviacion Civil - and
that the tickets used by the President were not given to him directly, but to
the government.
On Tuesday, the Fiscalía General de la República began collecting information
after having made a direct request, in writing, to the airline about
furnishing specific information referring to the free tickets used by
president Pacheco.
However, reports from the prosecutor's office say that Mario Zamora, general
manager for the airline, made a personal visit to the Fiscalía, to explain to
how exactly the "tarjeta azul" works, which provides free flights to
presidents of the Central American nations it flies to and from.
TACA airlines is based in El Salvador. Developing a strategic alliance with
the flag airlines of Guatemala (AVIATECA), Costa Rica (LACSA), and Nicaragua
(NICA), in the early 90's TACA consolidated operations under the name of
GRUPO TACA, thereby transforming the company into one of the most efficient
transportation systems in Latin America.
Currently, with a record of 92% on-time arrivals, TACA serves 34 cities in 19
countries on board the newest fleet across the three Americas, including 10
major cities in the United States, Toronto in Canada, Mexico City, all of the
countries of Central America, and the most important business and tourist
destinations in South America and the Caribbean.
*Ruben Pacheco Donates to Arias Presidential Campaign
Hedging his bets, former Tourism Minister and businessman, Rubén Pacheco
Lutz, who is involved in the controversy surrounding the granting of
concessions for his Papagayo project, is also a contributor to presidential
candidate Óscar Arias.
Last year, Pacheco Lutz donated ¢2.250.000 colones (us$4.750) to Arias' bid
for the presidential chair in 2006.
The news of the contribution was released yesterday by Martha Zamora, of the
Partido Accion Ciudana (PAC) party and backed by a publication in the Spanish
daily newspaper Al Día in November of 2004, naming Pacheco Lutz as one of the
165 contributors to Arias.
Arias' chief campaign manager confirmed the donation yesterday.
Pacheco Lutz is square in the middle of the storm surrounding his former
boss, President Abel Pacheco. Lutz accompanied the president on two trip to
Spain last year where he met Spanish businessman Bernando Martin, who later
became a partner in his Papagayo project to develop four lots, under a
government grant of concession, to build a residential community and hotel
that would include a 18 hole gold course.
Bernardo Martin was named Honourary Consul for Costa Rica for Sevilla, Spain
and published free of charge President Pacheco's book last of poems last
December.
Pacheco Lutz was also counsel to the government - the same government who
granted his project the concession - on economic matters. He was dismissed
from the counsel yesterday.
Arias is a front runner to win the presidential elections in 2006.
*Rising River Water Sweeps Away Vehicles
The alert went out that an automobile and it's occupants had been swept by
the rising waters of the La Gloria river in Jacó.
The call immediately sent into action local rescue workers and additional
help was requested from nearby Parrita, which since Monday night went looking
for the disappeared.
Following several hours of search, the vehicle was located but not it's
occupants, which led rescue workers to intensify their efforts.
Using kayaks, rescue workers navigated the river to the point it flowed into
the Pacific in the hopes of finding the occupants alive, but ready for the
gruesome task of recovering the bodies.
However, rescue workers got a surprise when they found Robert Sherman, the
American who had rented the vehicle, relaxing in a cabin. The car had gotten
stuck in the mud and decided to leave it - abandoning it completely - and
take a break.
Nearby, Austin Paine, also told authorities that his car had gotten stuck in
the mud and with the help of those nearby, they were able to pull it out,
though the water caused sufficient damage to the vehicle.
*Was it Wet Enough for You Yesterday?
Accodring to the weatherman - Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) - a low
pressure system coming from Panama is producing heavier than normal rains in
the Pacific coast and affecting the Central Valley (San José) as well.
The last couple of mornings San José has been waking up cloudy and wet from
rain during the night.
NOrmal for this time of year, is sunny and hot for the norming, clouding over
by mid-day and then mild to heavy rains for the afternoon. By the evening
hours the rain has stopped and repeats the following day.
However, for the next couple of days there will be more frequent and heavy
rain. The weatherman says it should all be back to normal by Friday.
*Costa Rica's National Team
Costa Rica has a long soccer history, one which dates back well before most
American fans came to know them through World Cup Qualifying. The Federación
Costarricense de Fútbol (FEDEFUTBOL) was founded in 1921, and gained FIFA
affiliation in 1927.
But although they won the championship of the old Confederation of Central
American and Caribbean Football seven times between 1941 and 1961, the
"Ticos" did not qualify for the World Cup until 1990, when Bora Milutinovic -
coaching the second of the five national teams he has led, after Mexico in
1986 - took another underdog to soccer's greatest stage.
Once in Italy, Milutinovic and Costa Rica pulled off one of the shocks of the
tournament. After stunning Scotland, 1-0, and losing to Brazil by the same
score, the Ticos came from behind to upset Sweden, 2-1, with a 75th minute
equalizer from Roger Flores and an 88th minute game-winner from Hernan
Medford, who has since become a familiar name to many North American soccer
fans. But the dream run ended with a 4-1 loss to Czechoslovakia in the Round
of 16.
In qualifying for the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, Costa Rica suffered
considerably from bad luck of the draw. The 1992 group stage put them with
Mexico and Honduras in Group A, and both of those teams tied for first with
13 points and advanced to the final round. The Ticos finished with nine
points.
In 1997, Costa Rica made it to CONCACAF's Hexagonal round, and it was here
that they first got into the consciences of many American fans. Battling
neck-and-neck with Jamaica for the third ticket to France, things were
looking up after a 3-1 win over the Reggae Boyz at the Estadio Saprissa in
San José. But then the wheels started to come off. Canada pulled an upset
with a 1-0 win in Edmonton, and El Salvador scrapped to a scoreless tie in
San José, while Jamaica defeated both teams 1-0 on home soil. So the Ticos
went to Portland, Ore., needing a result against the United States to get
back on track.
However, US midfielder Tab Ramos had other ideas. His stunning goal from long
range shook both the Civic Stadium roof and North American soccer to their
foundations, and left Costa Rica with a lot of work to do. Then came a trip
to Kingston, and with the National Stadium's nickname of "The Office" ringing
truer than ever, the Reggae Boys earned a 1-0 win of their own and all but
crushed Costa Rica's dreams of croissants and the Eiffel Tower.
But the Ticos kept fighting, and pulled off arguably one of the biggest
upsets in North American soccer history when they tied Mexico, 3-3, at the
Estadio Azteca. It was the first time Mexico had ever not won a World Cup
Qualifier in the legendary stadium. It wasn't enough though, as Jamaica
managed draws in every game the rest of the way, and took third place with 14
points to Costa Rica's 12.
Then came the road to South Korea and Japan, and this time Costa Rica had all
the weapons necessary to finally make it back to the World Cup. But once
again, the qualifying draw served up a hard path to success. Yet, what should
have been one of the easiest games turned out to be a disaster, as the
Barbados pulled off a 2-1 upset on home soil in Bridgetown.
A controversial 2-1 win over the United States in San José did nothing to
quiet alarm bells over coach Alexandre Guimaraes' future - and crowd trouble
forced the crucial game against Guatemala to be played in Alajuela instead of
the capital.
But a 3-0 revenge of the "Bajan Rockets" on the home side's return to San
José, and a 0-0 tie with the US in Columbus, Ohio let everyone breath a
little more easily. But then came a trip to Mazatenango, Guatemala, with
nerves up and down the continent frayed since Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the
US were all within a point of each other. The US took care of business with a
4-0 win at the Barbados, but Guatemala beat the Ticos, 2-1, and forced a
playoff for the last spot in the Hexagonal round.
So the two teams went to the Orange Bowl, and finally Costa Rica got all of
their cylinders firing when they needed them, cruising to a 5-2 win. And this
time, they kept it up all the way through the final round, including a 2-1
win in Mexico City - Mexico's first ever loss in World Cup Qualifying at the
Azteca - and the ultimate revenge for 1998, a 1-0 win in Kingston on the last
day of qualifying which sealed first place for the Ticos with 23 points.
Costa Rica's 2002 World Cup roster featured many players familiar to American
soccer fans. Among the famous names: Former New England Revolution
midfielders William Sunsing, Mauricio Solis and Mauricio Wright, forwards
Ronald Gomez and Hernan Medford, and, of course, Manchester City forward
Paulo Wanchope, arguably Costa Rica's greatest ever player.
All that attacking power helped the Ticos impress fans worldwide, especially
in the 5-2 loss to Brazil. Unfortunately, that game also sent Costa Rica
home, as a 3-0 win over China and a 1-1 tie against Turkey left them just
short of the second round on goal differential.
Suffice to say, though, that nobody will be overlooking Costa Rica on the
road to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and that expectations for success will
be just as high at home as they have ever been.
As of May 31, Costa Rica sits tied for third in the final round of CONCACAF
World Cup qualifying.
The Ticos and Guatemala each have four points, two behind the U.S., which has
six points, and three behind Mexico with seven.
The top three teams will advance to the 2006 World Cup, while the fourth
place team will face an Asian team in a playoff for a spot
*Bolivian president warns of using force to end unrest
Bolivian President Carlos Mesa warned Tuesday of possible intervention of the
armed forces, should the political and social crisis in the country worsens.
Calling for peace and dialogue with opponents, Mesa said that in an extreme
case, the military will put down any attempt to destabilize the country. It
is the right of the Bolivian nation to defend itself, he said.
Unrest spilt over to La Paz, the seat of government, on Tuesday as protests
escalated in the neighboring city El Alto, according to reports from La Paz.
Thousands of demonstrators marched through downtown La Paz to rally at
Murillo Square, where the executive and legislative departments are located,
demanding the nationalization of the oil industry and the rejection of
autonomy demands by four regions.
The protesters cut off airport access and blocked main roads, isolating La
Paz from the rest of the country.
Trade unions, including the Regional Trade Union and the Bolivian Central
Trade Union, and farmer, indigenous and student organizations participated in
the demonstrations.
Demonstrators also demanded the resignation of President Mesa, the closing of
the congress and the trial of ex-president Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, who
resigned in October 2003.
Security was beefed up on Murillo Square as legislators convened on Tuesday
for their first session after a week-long recession.
The congress aims to address issues such as the modification of the recently
enacted Hydrocarbons Law, the call for a Constitutional Assembly and a bill
that would decide how greater autonomy would be granted to Bolivia's regions.
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TODAY'S CONTENTS
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*Feature Article: Pacheco Will Not Give Up His Immunity
*Feature Article 2: Bolanos Delcares State of Emergency in Nicaragua
*News Digest
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FEATURE ARTICLE
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*Pacheco Will Not Give Up His Immunity in the Face of Accusations Against Him
President Abel Pacheco, following accusations of irregularities for accepting
and not reporting gifts, including the use of free tickets provided by TACA
airlines, said yesterday he won't give up his immunity in the investigation,
but will answer a call by the Ministerio Público and/or the Asamblea
Legislative.
The President is involved in accusations of wrongdoing when it was discovered
that Spanish businessman Bernardo Martín was appointed Honourary Consul for
Costa Rica in Sevilla, Spain, is also a partner in a development project in
Papagayo (Guanacaste) that is being headed by former Tourism Minister, Rubén
Pacheco, that requires a government concession to develop the property.
Bernardo Martín is also responsible for the free publication of President
Pacheco's book which was unveiled in December 2004, in Sevilla, when he was
accompanied by his former minister and Chief Protocol officer, Jorge Arce,
who resigned on Monday after it was discovered that he also acted as legal
counsel for Bernardo Martín.
The storm that is surrounding the President is growing every day, slowing to
become a hurricane, as the Fiscalía decided to open an investigation into
accusations.
Pacheco said he won't give up his immunity "because it would be foolish of
him, but God will help. That is what my enemies want, because if for the sake
of transparency, I give it up, at the same moment, they will make 60 charges,
60 trials or maybe 200, and I will spend my life defending the accusations
and not governing."
Pacheco added that it has been difficult concentrating on governing this past
week amid all the accusations and mudslinging and that if he gave up his
immunity he would be spending most of his time from court to court, but it
doesn't mean he won't answer to calls made against him, he will not hide his
face and make himself available to the judicial system and Costaricans.
"I am not hiding from the Fiscalía (prosecutor's office) and the moment the
fiscal general, Francisco Dall’Anesse, calls me I will go to him and give him
a full accounting of my actions, with all my conscience and clarity. I may
have mistakes, but that I acted in bad faith, not in a moment" added Pacheco.
To clear matters up, Pacheco said that he paid out of his own pocket the trip
to Spain and 3 day vacation to the Cayman Islands on the return leg of the
trip last December. He also assured that he has returned the lifetime
membership he received in Capa Cana in the Dominican Republic and that he
will never be back there.
He said he paid for the costs incurred on that part of the trip and will also
pay for the free tickers given to the government by TACA airlines for the San
José - Miami - San José leg of the trip to Spain.
Pacheco said that the "tarjeta azul" is given to all the presidents of the
Central American nations by the airline which saves the government money for
presidential travel. "Here there is a persecution against the President of
the Repubic. It hasn't occurred to anyone to ask the other Central American
presidents to give back their blue cards, given as a courtesy by TACA. These
attacks against the presidents are not good for the country" said Pacheco.
Since Monday, Jorge Arce, Pacheco's chief protocol officer has resigned and
former minister Rubén Pacheco has been removed from the President's counsel
on economic matters and Bernardo Martin resigned his post as Honourary Consul
for Costa Rica in Sevilla.
COMMENT: Well well well! A few years ago, Pacheco said he would give up
his immunity when he was accused of illegal campaign contributions from
some of the same sources that landed two other ex presidents in jail. But
apparantly, now that things have heated up considerably, he has suddenly
changed his mind! Among his connections in Spain, might we discover that
the folks behind RETIVE, the illegal private monopoly to check cars, have
enjoyed the same benefits and privileges as the Spanish businessman involved
in this scheme? INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!
========================================
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FEATURE ARTICLE 2
=========================================
*Power shortage draws decree of emergency
MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The President of Nicaragua, Enrique Bolaños Geyer, has
suspended by presidential decree the constitutional rights to petition,
assembly and protest as well as access to the court system. Also suspended
are the rights to immediate injunctive relief (recurso de amparo and recurso
de exhibición personal) as complementary measures. All the suspensions are
part of a decree of an economic state of emergency.
The decree includes an immediate emergency energy rate increase in an effort
to solve the continuing crisis of power generation in Nicaragua. The
constitutional rights that are specifically suspended are contained in
articles, 32, 45 and 52 of the Nicaraguan Constitution. These rights, by
presidential decree, are suspended for a term of six months unless the decree
is rejected by the National Assembly.
The president also decreed an 11.83 percent rate increase in favor of Unión
Fenosa, the Spanish multinational energy provider, increasing the cost of
electrical energy for all Nicaraguan consumers of more than 150 kilowatt
hours in one month. Energy suppliers to Unión Fenosa had turned off a portion
of the generating system last week forcing the Nicaraguan government to
purchase electrical energy from the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad
in Costa Rica at higher marginal prices to cover the energy shortfall and
avoid blackouts.
The suspension of constitutional rights is unprecedented in modern Nicaraguan
history. All of the members of the cabinet, with the notable exception of
Vice President Jose Rizo, signed the decree in public support of Bolaños.
Rizo refused to sign the document stating that it was an "additional attempt
to cause friction between the legislative and executive branches of
government." Bolaños retorted by stating that Rizo was a "solitary voice and
playing games."
Bolaños also announced that he was informing the United Nations of his
actions as well as the Organization of American States, which already is
scheduled to discuss the Nicaraguan political situation in a meeting next
week.
The National Assembly has only 72 hours to accept, reject or modify the
declared state of emergency from the date of publication in La Gazeta, the
national journal of Nicaraguan governmental affairs.
Both major political parties have sworn to reject the decree which may be
acted upon as early as today. Wilfredo Navarro, vice president of the
National Assembly, declared that the entire state of emergency was a "smoke
screen" for the benefit of Unión Fenosa and an effort to gather power in a
continuing battle by Bolaños against the National Assembly.
Sandinista Deputy José Figueroa stated that his party categorically rejects
the suspension of Nicaraguan constitutional rights without giving details
regarding further legislative actions. The veto, if in fact voted upon by the
deputies, will be easily rejected as 82 of the 92 votes of the Assembly are
controlled by the Partido Liberal Constitutionalista and Sandinista.
Political commentators also noted that the Dirección General de Impuestos,
the Nicaraguan tax agency, was commencing an audit process for all of the
individual returns of the members of the Assembly. This announcement is the
latest salvo in the war between governmental powers.
Deputies had cut $1.8 million dollars from the DGI budget last week
purportedly in retaliation for the enforcement of a tax lien imposed by DGI
against the bank accounts of the assembly. The DGI said the lien was due to
the alleged failure of the assembly to collect taxes from its members and
staff.
*Nicaraguan vice president urges rejection of state of economic
Nicaraguan Vice President Jose Rizo Castellon called on the National Assembly
on Tuesday to reject the "state of economic emergency" proposed in a decree
by President Enrique Bolanos and seek stability of the country.
Rizo said in a television program that he would ask his party, the Liberal
Constitutionalist, to reject the decree at the National Assembly as soon as
possible and seek dialogue with the executive power to search for solutions
based on consensus.
The economic emergency decree would only worsen the crisis instead of
overcoming it, he added.
Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos decreed on Monday a state of economic
emergency for 180 days in an attempt to tide over an energy crisis that has
forced a three-hours-a day rationing of electricity supply in the country.
Rizo said the emergency decree "does not produce initiatives to seek strong
alternatives to end the national energy crisis, and does not contain any
single idea on how to cope with the economic crisis."
"The solution will not be found by Bolanos alone," said the vice president,
who also suggested a national consensus on making a series of laws to cope
with the economic and energy crisis.
Bolanos said earlier that the current energy crisis was due to high fuel
prices. He announced on Monday an increase in the electricity rate by 11.83
percent for users who consume more than 150 kwh a month, but the date for the
decree to come into effect has not been decided yet. Only one-fourth of
electricity users will be affected by the surcharge.
Bolanos should send the decree to the country's National Assembly for
discussion and approval within 72 hours from its publication in the Official
Gazette.
=========================================
NEWS DIGEST
=========================================
*Fiscalía Asks TACA For Information on Free Tickets Used by President Pacheco
The accusations against President Abel Pacheco receiving unreported gifts and
the resignation of the President's Chief Protocol officer on Monday prompted
the Fiscalía de Delitos Económicos to open an investigation (Prosecutor's
office for ecomonic crimes) into the matter.
One of the first stops for the Fiscales (prosecutors) was at the airline
TACA, which last week made public that it donated, in the normal course of
business, the airline tickets used by the president Pacheco to Miami and back
for his personal trip to Spain in December of 2004.
The airline made it clear that it is a normal practice to give free tickets
to the government - the Ministerio de la Presidencia and Aviacion Civil - and
that the tickets used by the President were not given to him directly, but to
the government.
On Tuesday, the Fiscalía General de la República began collecting information
after having made a direct request, in writing, to the airline about
furnishing specific information referring to the free tickets used by
president Pacheco.
However, reports from the prosecutor's office say that Mario Zamora, general
manager for the airline, made a personal visit to the Fiscalía, to explain to
how exactly the "tarjeta azul" works, which provides free flights to
presidents of the Central American nations it flies to and from.
TACA airlines is based in El Salvador. Developing a strategic alliance with
the flag airlines of Guatemala (AVIATECA), Costa Rica (LACSA), and Nicaragua
(NICA), in the early 90's TACA consolidated operations under the name of
GRUPO TACA, thereby transforming the company into one of the most efficient
transportation systems in Latin America.
Currently, with a record of 92% on-time arrivals, TACA serves 34 cities in 19
countries on board the newest fleet across the three Americas, including 10
major cities in the United States, Toronto in Canada, Mexico City, all of the
countries of Central America, and the most important business and tourist
destinations in South America and the Caribbean.
*Ruben Pacheco Donates to Arias Presidential Campaign
Hedging his bets, former Tourism Minister and businessman, Rubén Pacheco
Lutz, who is involved in the controversy surrounding the granting of
concessions for his Papagayo project, is also a contributor to presidential
candidate Óscar Arias.
Last year, Pacheco Lutz donated ¢2.250.000 colones (us$4.750) to Arias' bid
for the presidential chair in 2006.
The news of the contribution was released yesterday by Martha Zamora, of the
Partido Accion Ciudana (PAC) party and backed by a publication in the Spanish
daily newspaper Al Día in November of 2004, naming Pacheco Lutz as one of the
165 contributors to Arias.
Arias' chief campaign manager confirmed the donation yesterday.
Pacheco Lutz is square in the middle of the storm surrounding his former
boss, President Abel Pacheco. Lutz accompanied the president on two trip to
Spain last year where he met Spanish businessman Bernando Martin, who later
became a partner in his Papagayo project to develop four lots, under a
government grant of concession, to build a residential community and hotel
that would include a 18 hole gold course.
Bernardo Martin was named Honourary Consul for Costa Rica for Sevilla, Spain
and published free of charge President Pacheco's book last of poems last
December.
Pacheco Lutz was also counsel to the government - the same government who
granted his project the concession - on economic matters. He was dismissed
from the counsel yesterday.
Arias is a front runner to win the presidential elections in 2006.
*Rising River Water Sweeps Away Vehicles
The alert went out that an automobile and it's occupants had been swept by
the rising waters of the La Gloria river in Jacó.
The call immediately sent into action local rescue workers and additional
help was requested from nearby Parrita, which since Monday night went looking
for the disappeared.
Following several hours of search, the vehicle was located but not it's
occupants, which led rescue workers to intensify their efforts.
Using kayaks, rescue workers navigated the river to the point it flowed into
the Pacific in the hopes of finding the occupants alive, but ready for the
gruesome task of recovering the bodies.
However, rescue workers got a surprise when they found Robert Sherman, the
American who had rented the vehicle, relaxing in a cabin. The car had gotten
stuck in the mud and decided to leave it - abandoning it completely - and
take a break.
Nearby, Austin Paine, also told authorities that his car had gotten stuck in
the mud and with the help of those nearby, they were able to pull it out,
though the water caused sufficient damage to the vehicle.
*Was it Wet Enough for You Yesterday?
Accodring to the weatherman - Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) - a low
pressure system coming from Panama is producing heavier than normal rains in
the Pacific coast and affecting the Central Valley (San José) as well.
The last couple of mornings San José has been waking up cloudy and wet from
rain during the night.
NOrmal for this time of year, is sunny and hot for the norming, clouding over
by mid-day and then mild to heavy rains for the afternoon. By the evening
hours the rain has stopped and repeats the following day.
However, for the next couple of days there will be more frequent and heavy
rain. The weatherman says it should all be back to normal by Friday.
*Costa Rica's National Team
Costa Rica has a long soccer history, one which dates back well before most
American fans came to know them through World Cup Qualifying. The Federación
Costarricense de Fútbol (FEDEFUTBOL) was founded in 1921, and gained FIFA
affiliation in 1927.
But although they won the championship of the old Confederation of Central
American and Caribbean Football seven times between 1941 and 1961, the
"Ticos" did not qualify for the World Cup until 1990, when Bora Milutinovic -
coaching the second of the five national teams he has led, after Mexico in
1986 - took another underdog to soccer's greatest stage.
Once in Italy, Milutinovic and Costa Rica pulled off one of the shocks of the
tournament. After stunning Scotland, 1-0, and losing to Brazil by the same
score, the Ticos came from behind to upset Sweden, 2-1, with a 75th minute
equalizer from Roger Flores and an 88th minute game-winner from Hernan
Medford, who has since become a familiar name to many North American soccer
fans. But the dream run ended with a 4-1 loss to Czechoslovakia in the Round
of 16.
In qualifying for the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, Costa Rica suffered
considerably from bad luck of the draw. The 1992 group stage put them with
Mexico and Honduras in Group A, and both of those teams tied for first with
13 points and advanced to the final round. The Ticos finished with nine
points.
In 1997, Costa Rica made it to CONCACAF's Hexagonal round, and it was here
that they first got into the consciences of many American fans. Battling
neck-and-neck with Jamaica for the third ticket to France, things were
looking up after a 3-1 win over the Reggae Boyz at the Estadio Saprissa in
San José. But then the wheels started to come off. Canada pulled an upset
with a 1-0 win in Edmonton, and El Salvador scrapped to a scoreless tie in
San José, while Jamaica defeated both teams 1-0 on home soil. So the Ticos
went to Portland, Ore., needing a result against the United States to get
back on track.
However, US midfielder Tab Ramos had other ideas. His stunning goal from long
range shook both the Civic Stadium roof and North American soccer to their
foundations, and left Costa Rica with a lot of work to do. Then came a trip
to Kingston, and with the National Stadium's nickname of "The Office" ringing
truer than ever, the Reggae Boys earned a 1-0 win of their own and all but
crushed Costa Rica's dreams of croissants and the Eiffel Tower.
But the Ticos kept fighting, and pulled off arguably one of the biggest
upsets in North American soccer history when they tied Mexico, 3-3, at the
Estadio Azteca. It was the first time Mexico had ever not won a World Cup
Qualifier in the legendary stadium. It wasn't enough though, as Jamaica
managed draws in every game the rest of the way, and took third place with 14
points to Costa Rica's 12.
Then came the road to South Korea and Japan, and this time Costa Rica had all
the weapons necessary to finally make it back to the World Cup. But once
again, the qualifying draw served up a hard path to success. Yet, what should
have been one of the easiest games turned out to be a disaster, as the
Barbados pulled off a 2-1 upset on home soil in Bridgetown.
A controversial 2-1 win over the United States in San José did nothing to
quiet alarm bells over coach Alexandre Guimaraes' future - and crowd trouble
forced the crucial game against Guatemala to be played in Alajuela instead of
the capital.
But a 3-0 revenge of the "Bajan Rockets" on the home side's return to San
José, and a 0-0 tie with the US in Columbus, Ohio let everyone breath a
little more easily. But then came a trip to Mazatenango, Guatemala, with
nerves up and down the continent frayed since Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the
US were all within a point of each other. The US took care of business with a
4-0 win at the Barbados, but Guatemala beat the Ticos, 2-1, and forced a
playoff for the last spot in the Hexagonal round.
So the two teams went to the Orange Bowl, and finally Costa Rica got all of
their cylinders firing when they needed them, cruising to a 5-2 win. And this
time, they kept it up all the way through the final round, including a 2-1
win in Mexico City - Mexico's first ever loss in World Cup Qualifying at the
Azteca - and the ultimate revenge for 1998, a 1-0 win in Kingston on the last
day of qualifying which sealed first place for the Ticos with 23 points.
Costa Rica's 2002 World Cup roster featured many players familiar to American
soccer fans. Among the famous names: Former New England Revolution
midfielders William Sunsing, Mauricio Solis and Mauricio Wright, forwards
Ronald Gomez and Hernan Medford, and, of course, Manchester City forward
Paulo Wanchope, arguably Costa Rica's greatest ever player.
All that attacking power helped the Ticos impress fans worldwide, especially
in the 5-2 loss to Brazil. Unfortunately, that game also sent Costa Rica
home, as a 3-0 win over China and a 1-1 tie against Turkey left them just
short of the second round on goal differential.
Suffice to say, though, that nobody will be overlooking Costa Rica on the
road to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and that expectations for success will
be just as high at home as they have ever been.
As of May 31, Costa Rica sits tied for third in the final round of CONCACAF
World Cup qualifying.
The Ticos and Guatemala each have four points, two behind the U.S., which has
six points, and three behind Mexico with seven.
The top three teams will advance to the 2006 World Cup, while the fourth
place team will face an Asian team in a playoff for a spot
*Bolivian president warns of using force to end unrest
Bolivian President Carlos Mesa warned Tuesday of possible intervention of the
armed forces, should the political and social crisis in the country worsens.
Calling for peace and dialogue with opponents, Mesa said that in an extreme
case, the military will put down any attempt to destabilize the country. It
is the right of the Bolivian nation to defend itself, he said.
Unrest spilt over to La Paz, the seat of government, on Tuesday as protests
escalated in the neighboring city El Alto, according to reports from La Paz.
Thousands of demonstrators marched through downtown La Paz to rally at
Murillo Square, where the executive and legislative departments are located,
demanding the nationalization of the oil industry and the rejection of
autonomy demands by four regions.
The protesters cut off airport access and blocked main roads, isolating La
Paz from the rest of the country.
Trade unions, including the Regional Trade Union and the Bolivian Central
Trade Union, and farmer, indigenous and student organizations participated in
the demonstrations.
Demonstrators also demanded the resignation of President Mesa, the closing of
the congress and the trial of ex-president Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, who
resigned in October 2003.
Security was beefed up on Murillo Square as legislators convened on Tuesday
for their first session after a week-long recession.
The congress aims to address issues such as the modification of the recently
enacted Hydrocarbons Law, the call for a Constitutional Assembly and a bill
that would decide how greater autonomy would be granted to Bolivia's regions.
=========================================
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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
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Monday, May 30, 2005
=========================================
>>Costa Rica News Digest<<
=========================================
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TODAY'S CONTENTS
=========================================
*Feature Article: Pacheco in More Trouble
*News Digest
=========================================
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=========================================
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FEATURE ARTICLE
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*President Pacheco in More Hot Water
President Abel Pacheco continues to be on the heat seat following several
admitted irregularities over the receipt of a lifetime membership to a luxury
club in the Dominican Republic and free airline tickets by the TACA Group
airline.
Now, there is a question on how, Bernardo Martín Moreno, the president of the
Immobiliaria Somersen, a real estate company in Sevilla, Spain, came to be
Costa Rica's honorary consul in Sevilla. Moreno is also the president of the
Martín Robles foundation that dedicates time and money to art and culture.
In April of 2004, the President, accompanied by his wife and chief protocol
officer at Casa Presidencial, Jorge Arce, and former Tourism Minister, Rubén
Pacheco, travelled to Sevilla for a private vacation where they met with the
businessman.
In July of 2004, Bernardo Martín Moreno founds in Costa Rica the corporation
Somersen Costa Rica SA, of which he is president and Fernando Pablo Méndez,
another foreigner is vice-president.
In less than a month, Bernando sends a letter to director of the Golfo de
Papagayo (Guanacaste) expressing his intention for the Somersen company to
participate as a partner in the Enjoy Hotels and Resorts, who is represented
by former minister Rubén Pacheco.
The project, based on the representation by the former Tourism minister, is
to build a residential community, hotel and an 18 hole golf course.
And it is at this time that Bernardo Martín Moreno is named as honorary
consul in Sevilla, Spain, as it is listed in the Foreign Ministry's website
of official consuls. The naming of Bernardo was confirmed by protocol chief,
Jorge Arce.
Five months later, in December of 2004, President Pacheco decides to visit
Spain again for his holiday vacation to announce the introduction of his new
book "Poemas y cuentos" which was published free of charge by the Martín
Robles foundation, headed by Bernardo Martín Moreno.
So, now, Bernardo is not only a real estate businessman in Spain, but also in
Costa Rica who has expressed an interest for a state owned concession (the
Papagayo project is under strict government control) and is also the honorary
consul for Costa Rica in Sevilla.
Accompanying the president in the December trip is again protocol chief Arce
and former minister Pacheco, who will could soon be Bernardo's partner. And
the former minister, notwithstanding that he had resigned his post at
Tourism, was still participating in government economic consulting sessions
and as an assistant to the president.
The December trip is also when president Pacheco decided to head to the Grand
Cayman islands, where he spent Christmas, following his book launching in
Spain. And it is this trip that raised the question of the TACA flight that
took him from San José to Miami and back that was not paid for by the
president, but donated by the airline to the government.
In mid-January of this year, the powerful public workers union, ANEP, sends
president Pacheco a strong letter asking for explanations on the financing of
his book and the business at Papagayo.
The ANEP letter heavily criticizes the foundation that published the book and
the negotiations of Rubén Pacheco and his role in getting a government
concession at the Papagayo project.
Notwithstanding the letter, and that the ANEP in October of 2004 had charged
that there was influence peddling going on at Papagayo, President Pacheco
only defended his book publication, saying that it was the Ateneo de España
that promoted the book and arranged for the illustrations and the
publications, all at no cost and has said nothing about the rest.
The situation is starting to look bad for the president, because in March of
this year, records show that a new company was formed in Costa Rica -
Somersen Enjoy SA - with lists Rubén Pacheco as president of the corporation
and Bernardo Martín Moreno as chief operating officer.
Making matters even worse is that Jorge Arce, Pacheco's chief protocol
officer, and who accompanied him on both trips to Spain, maintains a
professional connection to Bernardo Martín Moreno.
Arce acts as legal counsel for the Spanish businessman.
Though his protocol chief assures that there is no conflict of interest
offering his legal services to the president of Somersen and the foundation
that published president Pacheco's book.
Arce also insists that he has provided no services with respect to the
Papagayo project and the concession and insists that the professional
relationship is new.
Rubén Pacheco defends the role of Bernardo as a good businessman, meanwhile,
the President Pacheco continues to duck the issue, refusing to make things
clear.
His press secretary, Carolina Murillo, advises that a statement will be made
soon by the president on the matter.
=========================================
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*Arias Would Win the Vote But Not the Election, Poll Shows
A recent poll by Borge y Asociados, puts Óscar Arias, presidential candidate
for the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) clear ahead of his rivals with a
difference of some 17 percentage points.
The poll was taken between May 13 and May 20 with more than 400 adults from
all over the country interviewed. The results have a margin of error of 5
percentage points.
One of the questions put to the people was: who would you vote for if the
elections where held today? 46.1% said they would decline to cast their vote,
while 25.7% said they would vote for the Liberacionista (Arias).
Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC), Ottón Solís got a 8.7% response, while
Ricardo Toledo, of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), a 5.6%.
Antonio Álvarez Desanti, of the Unión para el Cambio (UPC) got 4.1% and Otto
Guevara, of the Movimiento Libertario, was last at only 3.3%.
Notwithstanding that Arias would today win the vote from among those decided
to vote, he would not win the election, not reaching the required 40% of the
majority vote as spelled out in the Código Electoral - Elections Code.
Some experts say this election campaign will be very interesting, as most
candidates have no real identity to their parties.
This election a high number of young voters are expected to participate in
the election, who have no identity to a party or historic grouping of the
traditional politics for the "red" and "green" parties, the two parties that
have exclusively ruled politics in Costa Rica until the 2002 elections.
The scandals and accusations of corruption could also influence the vote, as
two former presidents (Calderón and Rodríguez) are under house arrest and the
current president on the hot seat over irregularities, belong to the same
party - the PUSC - and another former president (Figueres) has refused to
return to Costa Rica is for the PLN. For now, it seems that the Figueres
thing is all forgotten, but it could play a role in the election campaign
against the PLN.
*Buying a Used Car in Costa Rica Can be Tricky Business.
Making sure that the vehicle is mechanically sound, that all the accessories
work, there are no leans registered against the vehicle and that ownership
and registration is good are just part of a sound purchase
However, an additional requirement is needed - driving around to make sure
the vehicle you are intending to purchase is the only one on the road. Uh?
that the vehicle is not "twinned".
Such was the scope of an investigation by the Unidad de Robo de Vehículos del
Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) that took several months to
complete and came up with 15 "twinned" vehicles, which investigations believe
is only a small amount of the real number of duplicated vehicles circulating
on Costa Rican roads.
The investigation began in December when records show that several different
people were paying for the Marchamo - the he right of vehicle circulation
which is paid annually - for the same car and in more than one case at the
same time, leaving authorities to believe that there were two or more
vehicles circulating with the same license plate and original registration
documents.
"Twinning" is when two or more vehicles are circulating with the original
registration documents issued by the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS). The
documentation continues with the RTV, the annual vehicle inspection and the
ownership card issed by the Registro Nacional.
Investigators say that the 15 vehicles confiscate by the OIJ were purchased
by their current owners at a low price from uknowns who'se sales pitch was of
a distress sale. Sellers of "twinned" cars take advantage of those who are
looking for a "deal" on a used car and don't take the time for due diligence.
Authorities advise that before buying a vehicle they should double check the
vehicle's registration and purchase only from known persons (take down the
identification of the person selling the car, phone number, as much
information of the seller as possible) or from registered car lots, to avoid
losing money in possibly buying a "twinned" vehicle.
*Tamarindo Spoils Customers with Bank Offer
Banking, once the bane of every Tamarindo resident and tourist alike, is
about to spoil them with choice.
Four banks are currently fighting for locations in Tamarindo, and the
competition is heating up for offices in completed shopping centers.
BAC San José, Banco de Costa Rica and Banco Cuscatlán will all be moving into
Tamarindo to rival for a share of the financial services market, including
account management, loans and commission-based transactions.
Until now, Tamarindo and area residents have had to make do with a single
branch of the Banco Nacional to service all of their financial transactions,
as well as those of the thousands of tourists the town draws in, often daily.
In January, Banco de Costa Rica announced they would be opening a new branch
in Tamarindo in response to the 'exponential growth' in the volume of
business the town was generating, and following the success of their Flamingo
branch.
This week Edelberto Leal, Regional Chief for the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR),
confirmed the Tamarindo branch would open in August.
"We have the personnel but we want to do some further training," he says.
"They are qualified and bi-lingual and are mostly from Santa Cruz. We also
have a girl from Nicoya."
Mr Leal also confirmed BCR had found a location, but not the one it had
wanted.
BAC San José, the second largest private bank in Costa Rica and a subsidiary
of BAC International Bank, apparently beat them to the punch, recently
unveiling a branch in the newly-built Plaza Conchal in Tamarindo, much to the
chagrin of Mr Leal.
"I had been negotiating that space for a long time and it is the one we
wanted," he said. "Being a State bank we have to go through a process, but
private banks can make this decision quicker."
He confirmed that BCR will occupy another, larger space towards the back of
the shopping plaza.
BAC San José currently has 31 branches in Costa Rica. The Tamarindo branch
will be its second in Guanacaste, after Liberia.
The privately-owned Banco Cuscatlán has also confirmed that they will be
opening a new branch in Tamarindo, but would not reveal the location, nor a
scheduled opening date.
Regardless, the news of four banks where there used to be one, is likely to
come as good news for much of Tamarindo�s population.
In the past, even simple transactions such as cashing a check could take up
to an hour, with only three tellers to process the volume of customers filing
into the branch. Since Internet banking in Costa Rica is not yet equipped to
allow transfers between different banks, businesses were often forced to open
a second bank account, with the second branch up to 30 minutes away.
"We will have to wait and see," says Jorge Contreras of Client Services for
Banco Nacional in Tamarindo, in response to questions of the fresh
competition. " I am sure some people will go and experiment in other banks."
Banco Nacional, which since its arrival into Tamarindo in 1999 has had a
monopoly on the banking services in the area, is examining ways of
maintaining its share of business in the face of new competition, including
reinstating their loans service, which had ceased eight months ago.
"We have re-introduced loans for small businesses, for housing," confirmed Mr
Contreras. "This includes foreigners if they have residency, and can
demonstrate they are living here."
"Banco Nacional continues with the idea of expanding its services," he added.
"There was the possibility that we would move to a bigger space, but the
negotiations fell through. For the time being we are staying where we are."
*Pressured, Bolivian President Refuses to Resign
The administration of Bolivian President Carlos Mesa asserted he would
continue in his post, despite entrepreneurs, politicians, radical leaders and
even two insubordinate officers have asked him to resign.
Demands are ironically multiplying following two months of Mesa´s resignation
request to the Congress, which did not accept it.
Thus, he proposed to hold elections in advance to try to leave the
presidency, but once more, the entity turned down his decision.
On the issue, Presidency Minister Jose Galindo made it cleared that Mesa
would remain in the post until his mandate ends.
The president is governing and will govern until August 6 2007, as stipulated
by the Constitution, noted Jose Galindo in response to assessments by the
Bolivian Business Confederation and the Industry and Trade Chamber of the
city of Santa Cruz, which said Mesa should resign and call for advanced
elections if he is not unable to govern and re-establish order.
Members of the Nationalist Democratic Action Party, of former dictator Hugo
Banzer, and the National Union, of wealthy entrepreneur Samuel Doria Medina
considered Mesa´s resignation would resolve the situation.
On Wednesday, two officers who were expelled from the army for
insubordination also asked the current statesman to resign.
Congress President Hormando Vaca Diez (Social Democracy Party) only said Mesa
had to use his powers because the country faced a chaos.
Amid this panorama, the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement, of ex president
Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, urged Mesa to call a state of siege, while
Movimiento al Socialismo (Movement to Socialism) leader Evo Morales expressed
his concern about stepped-up pressures for Mesa´s resignation, which he
considered that would not resolve the crisis.
Morales said the crisis could only be solved through a constituent assembly.
Meanwhile, people´s organizations informed their protests, which started on
May 16, would continue until next Monday, when more people will incorporate
to them.
Bolivians have been demanding to call to a constituent assembly and
nationalize or regain the hydrocarbon control.
=========================================
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This publication is designed to have one display add
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articles or sections we have per day, the more room we
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depending on placement and frequency. You must order
a minimum of 5 insertions with your order. If there
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One final note, if you want to do a solo mailing
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Email us at the above address for more details.
=========================================
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=========================================
We give you hard hitting, timely, common sense articles and
news that the mainstream, or corporate media, either will
not or cannot give you. Several times a week we bring you
an up to date digest on what is going on in the world around
you.
At The Costa Rica Digest, we don't give you hype or BS or
"common knowledge" solutions, but we aim to give you
the cutting edge information you need. If you wish to
become a writer for us, submit your article[s] for
approval to costarica@destiny-worldwide.net. We cannot
pay for articles, but, instead, you may include a resource
box at the end of your article promoting your website
or product. We welcome submissions of all kinds to
make this a great publication for all to read!
=========================================
Find out about our OTHER Exciting E-mail groups on a broad
range of important topics. Subscription boxes for all of
them may be found here:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/boards.htm
The Restoration Website:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/rcg/
Destiny Central Success Resources
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
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=========================================
TODAY'S CONTENTS
=========================================
*Feature Article: Pacheco in More Trouble
*News Digest
=========================================
SO, YA WANNA MOVE TO COSTA RICA?
=========================================
Announcing Costa Rica's FIRST online, multimedia,
always up to date, and FREE retirement and tourism
guide! See us at:
---->http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/wanna/forward.htm
OTHER SERVICES WE OFFER:
*Real Estate, mortgages [both lenders and borrowers needed,
Buyer's brokerage, Businesses for sale and opportunities,
all at: http://www.cr-realestate.com
*Insurance, Gold & Silver Exchange, e-commerce solutions,
innovative shipping solutions, and much more:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/business.htm
DESTINY WORLDWIDE -- THE SERVICES YOU NEED, AT PRICES YOU
CAN AFFORD!
=========================================
FEATURE ARTICLE
=========================================
*President Pacheco in More Hot Water
President Abel Pacheco continues to be on the heat seat following several
admitted irregularities over the receipt of a lifetime membership to a luxury
club in the Dominican Republic and free airline tickets by the TACA Group
airline.
Now, there is a question on how, Bernardo Martín Moreno, the president of the
Immobiliaria Somersen, a real estate company in Sevilla, Spain, came to be
Costa Rica's honorary consul in Sevilla. Moreno is also the president of the
Martín Robles foundation that dedicates time and money to art and culture.
In April of 2004, the President, accompanied by his wife and chief protocol
officer at Casa Presidencial, Jorge Arce, and former Tourism Minister, Rubén
Pacheco, travelled to Sevilla for a private vacation where they met with the
businessman.
In July of 2004, Bernardo Martín Moreno founds in Costa Rica the corporation
Somersen Costa Rica SA, of which he is president and Fernando Pablo Méndez,
another foreigner is vice-president.
In less than a month, Bernando sends a letter to director of the Golfo de
Papagayo (Guanacaste) expressing his intention for the Somersen company to
participate as a partner in the Enjoy Hotels and Resorts, who is represented
by former minister Rubén Pacheco.
The project, based on the representation by the former Tourism minister, is
to build a residential community, hotel and an 18 hole golf course.
And it is at this time that Bernardo Martín Moreno is named as honorary
consul in Sevilla, Spain, as it is listed in the Foreign Ministry's website
of official consuls. The naming of Bernardo was confirmed by protocol chief,
Jorge Arce.
Five months later, in December of 2004, President Pacheco decides to visit
Spain again for his holiday vacation to announce the introduction of his new
book "Poemas y cuentos" which was published free of charge by the Martín
Robles foundation, headed by Bernardo Martín Moreno.
So, now, Bernardo is not only a real estate businessman in Spain, but also in
Costa Rica who has expressed an interest for a state owned concession (the
Papagayo project is under strict government control) and is also the honorary
consul for Costa Rica in Sevilla.
Accompanying the president in the December trip is again protocol chief Arce
and former minister Pacheco, who will could soon be Bernardo's partner. And
the former minister, notwithstanding that he had resigned his post at
Tourism, was still participating in government economic consulting sessions
and as an assistant to the president.
The December trip is also when president Pacheco decided to head to the Grand
Cayman islands, where he spent Christmas, following his book launching in
Spain. And it is this trip that raised the question of the TACA flight that
took him from San José to Miami and back that was not paid for by the
president, but donated by the airline to the government.
In mid-January of this year, the powerful public workers union, ANEP, sends
president Pacheco a strong letter asking for explanations on the financing of
his book and the business at Papagayo.
The ANEP letter heavily criticizes the foundation that published the book and
the negotiations of Rubén Pacheco and his role in getting a government
concession at the Papagayo project.
Notwithstanding the letter, and that the ANEP in October of 2004 had charged
that there was influence peddling going on at Papagayo, President Pacheco
only defended his book publication, saying that it was the Ateneo de España
that promoted the book and arranged for the illustrations and the
publications, all at no cost and has said nothing about the rest.
The situation is starting to look bad for the president, because in March of
this year, records show that a new company was formed in Costa Rica -
Somersen Enjoy SA - with lists Rubén Pacheco as president of the corporation
and Bernardo Martín Moreno as chief operating officer.
Making matters even worse is that Jorge Arce, Pacheco's chief protocol
officer, and who accompanied him on both trips to Spain, maintains a
professional connection to Bernardo Martín Moreno.
Arce acts as legal counsel for the Spanish businessman.
Though his protocol chief assures that there is no conflict of interest
offering his legal services to the president of Somersen and the foundation
that published president Pacheco's book.
Arce also insists that he has provided no services with respect to the
Papagayo project and the concession and insists that the professional
relationship is new.
Rubén Pacheco defends the role of Bernardo as a good businessman, meanwhile,
the President Pacheco continues to duck the issue, refusing to make things
clear.
His press secretary, Carolina Murillo, advises that a statement will be made
soon by the president on the matter.
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*Arias Would Win the Vote But Not the Election, Poll Shows
A recent poll by Borge y Asociados, puts Óscar Arias, presidential candidate
for the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) clear ahead of his rivals with a
difference of some 17 percentage points.
The poll was taken between May 13 and May 20 with more than 400 adults from
all over the country interviewed. The results have a margin of error of 5
percentage points.
One of the questions put to the people was: who would you vote for if the
elections where held today? 46.1% said they would decline to cast their vote,
while 25.7% said they would vote for the Liberacionista (Arias).
Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC), Ottón Solís got a 8.7% response, while
Ricardo Toledo, of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), a 5.6%.
Antonio Álvarez Desanti, of the Unión para el Cambio (UPC) got 4.1% and Otto
Guevara, of the Movimiento Libertario, was last at only 3.3%.
Notwithstanding that Arias would today win the vote from among those decided
to vote, he would not win the election, not reaching the required 40% of the
majority vote as spelled out in the Código Electoral - Elections Code.
Some experts say this election campaign will be very interesting, as most
candidates have no real identity to their parties.
This election a high number of young voters are expected to participate in
the election, who have no identity to a party or historic grouping of the
traditional politics for the "red" and "green" parties, the two parties that
have exclusively ruled politics in Costa Rica until the 2002 elections.
The scandals and accusations of corruption could also influence the vote, as
two former presidents (Calderón and Rodríguez) are under house arrest and the
current president on the hot seat over irregularities, belong to the same
party - the PUSC - and another former president (Figueres) has refused to
return to Costa Rica is for the PLN. For now, it seems that the Figueres
thing is all forgotten, but it could play a role in the election campaign
against the PLN.
*Buying a Used Car in Costa Rica Can be Tricky Business.
Making sure that the vehicle is mechanically sound, that all the accessories
work, there are no leans registered against the vehicle and that ownership
and registration is good are just part of a sound purchase
However, an additional requirement is needed - driving around to make sure
the vehicle you are intending to purchase is the only one on the road. Uh?
that the vehicle is not "twinned".
Such was the scope of an investigation by the Unidad de Robo de Vehículos del
Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) that took several months to
complete and came up with 15 "twinned" vehicles, which investigations believe
is only a small amount of the real number of duplicated vehicles circulating
on Costa Rican roads.
The investigation began in December when records show that several different
people were paying for the Marchamo - the he right of vehicle circulation
which is paid annually - for the same car and in more than one case at the
same time, leaving authorities to believe that there were two or more
vehicles circulating with the same license plate and original registration
documents.
"Twinning" is when two or more vehicles are circulating with the original
registration documents issued by the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS). The
documentation continues with the RTV, the annual vehicle inspection and the
ownership card issed by the Registro Nacional.
Investigators say that the 15 vehicles confiscate by the OIJ were purchased
by their current owners at a low price from uknowns who'se sales pitch was of
a distress sale. Sellers of "twinned" cars take advantage of those who are
looking for a "deal" on a used car and don't take the time for due diligence.
Authorities advise that before buying a vehicle they should double check the
vehicle's registration and purchase only from known persons (take down the
identification of the person selling the car, phone number, as much
information of the seller as possible) or from registered car lots, to avoid
losing money in possibly buying a "twinned" vehicle.
*Tamarindo Spoils Customers with Bank Offer
Banking, once the bane of every Tamarindo resident and tourist alike, is
about to spoil them with choice.
Four banks are currently fighting for locations in Tamarindo, and the
competition is heating up for offices in completed shopping centers.
BAC San José, Banco de Costa Rica and Banco Cuscatlán will all be moving into
Tamarindo to rival for a share of the financial services market, including
account management, loans and commission-based transactions.
Until now, Tamarindo and area residents have had to make do with a single
branch of the Banco Nacional to service all of their financial transactions,
as well as those of the thousands of tourists the town draws in, often daily.
In January, Banco de Costa Rica announced they would be opening a new branch
in Tamarindo in response to the 'exponential growth' in the volume of
business the town was generating, and following the success of their Flamingo
branch.
This week Edelberto Leal, Regional Chief for the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR),
confirmed the Tamarindo branch would open in August.
"We have the personnel but we want to do some further training," he says.
"They are qualified and bi-lingual and are mostly from Santa Cruz. We also
have a girl from Nicoya."
Mr Leal also confirmed BCR had found a location, but not the one it had
wanted.
BAC San José, the second largest private bank in Costa Rica and a subsidiary
of BAC International Bank, apparently beat them to the punch, recently
unveiling a branch in the newly-built Plaza Conchal in Tamarindo, much to the
chagrin of Mr Leal.
"I had been negotiating that space for a long time and it is the one we
wanted," he said. "Being a State bank we have to go through a process, but
private banks can make this decision quicker."
He confirmed that BCR will occupy another, larger space towards the back of
the shopping plaza.
BAC San José currently has 31 branches in Costa Rica. The Tamarindo branch
will be its second in Guanacaste, after Liberia.
The privately-owned Banco Cuscatlán has also confirmed that they will be
opening a new branch in Tamarindo, but would not reveal the location, nor a
scheduled opening date.
Regardless, the news of four banks where there used to be one, is likely to
come as good news for much of Tamarindo�s population.
In the past, even simple transactions such as cashing a check could take up
to an hour, with only three tellers to process the volume of customers filing
into the branch. Since Internet banking in Costa Rica is not yet equipped to
allow transfers between different banks, businesses were often forced to open
a second bank account, with the second branch up to 30 minutes away.
"We will have to wait and see," says Jorge Contreras of Client Services for
Banco Nacional in Tamarindo, in response to questions of the fresh
competition. " I am sure some people will go and experiment in other banks."
Banco Nacional, which since its arrival into Tamarindo in 1999 has had a
monopoly on the banking services in the area, is examining ways of
maintaining its share of business in the face of new competition, including
reinstating their loans service, which had ceased eight months ago.
"We have re-introduced loans for small businesses, for housing," confirmed Mr
Contreras. "This includes foreigners if they have residency, and can
demonstrate they are living here."
"Banco Nacional continues with the idea of expanding its services," he added.
"There was the possibility that we would move to a bigger space, but the
negotiations fell through. For the time being we are staying where we are."
*Pressured, Bolivian President Refuses to Resign
The administration of Bolivian President Carlos Mesa asserted he would
continue in his post, despite entrepreneurs, politicians, radical leaders and
even two insubordinate officers have asked him to resign.
Demands are ironically multiplying following two months of Mesa´s resignation
request to the Congress, which did not accept it.
Thus, he proposed to hold elections in advance to try to leave the
presidency, but once more, the entity turned down his decision.
On the issue, Presidency Minister Jose Galindo made it cleared that Mesa
would remain in the post until his mandate ends.
The president is governing and will govern until August 6 2007, as stipulated
by the Constitution, noted Jose Galindo in response to assessments by the
Bolivian Business Confederation and the Industry and Trade Chamber of the
city of Santa Cruz, which said Mesa should resign and call for advanced
elections if he is not unable to govern and re-establish order.
Members of the Nationalist Democratic Action Party, of former dictator Hugo
Banzer, and the National Union, of wealthy entrepreneur Samuel Doria Medina
considered Mesa´s resignation would resolve the situation.
On Wednesday, two officers who were expelled from the army for
insubordination also asked the current statesman to resign.
Congress President Hormando Vaca Diez (Social Democracy Party) only said Mesa
had to use his powers because the country faced a chaos.
Amid this panorama, the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement, of ex president
Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, urged Mesa to call a state of siege, while
Movimiento al Socialismo (Movement to Socialism) leader Evo Morales expressed
his concern about stepped-up pressures for Mesa´s resignation, which he
considered that would not resolve the crisis.
Morales said the crisis could only be solved through a constituent assembly.
Meanwhile, people´s organizations informed their protests, which started on
May 16, would continue until next Monday, when more people will incorporate
to them.
Bolivians have been demanding to call to a constituent assembly and
nationalize or regain the hydrocarbon control.
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* Pacheco In More Trouble Over Gifts
President Abel Pacheco continues to draw fire over accepting gifts and
bonuses for personal use.
Earlier this week, the Internal Auditor at Casa Presidencial, Herberth
Villavicencio, reprimanded the President in a letter, for accepting a
lifetime membership for he and his wife by the government of the Dominican
Republic, contrary to the new law "Ley contra la Corrupción y Enriquecimiento
Ilícito" - the new anti-corruption law.
Yesterday, Telenoticias, the local television channel 7 news, reports another
Presidential indiscretion; this one dating back to December of 2004, when the
President and his wife travelled to Spain for a vacation and his book
opening.
According to the Telenoticias investigation, the president paid from his
personal pocketbook the flight from Miami to Madrid and Seville and back to
Miami at a cost of ¢1.061.855 colones (us$2.300).
The question, however, is how did the president get to and from Miami from
Costa Rica?
An investigation to answer that question reveals that TACA airlines did not
charge the President the San José - Miami - San José portion of the trip.
Telenoticias was able to corroborate the fact the the President used tickets
given to the government by the airline, valued at ¢270.000 colones (us$565),
for he and his wife for the vacation trip.
Mario Zamora, manager of TACA airline in Costa Rica, confirmed that the two
tickers were issued to the President and his wife, following news reports
that the President was travelling to Miami.
The airline customarily provides the government of Costa Rica, primarily the
Ministerio de la Presidencia and Aviacion Civil, free passage on it's
airline. Zamora was emphatic that the free tickets are issued to the
government and no particular person or for personal use, and based on a
regulation by Aviación Civil.
The value of the tickets exceeded the "salario base" rule of the new
anti-corruption law.
The "salario base" in December of 2004 was ¢167.800 colones (us$355) while
the value of the tickets exceed that, which meant the President was obligated
to have reported it.
President Pacheco explained that the December trip was a "completely personal
trip" and nothing to do with his official capacity.
The anti-corruption law, signed by President Pacheco himself, came into
effect on October 29, 2004, less than two months before the president
accepted the free flight.
Article 20 of the anti-corruption law is clear that any donations and gifts
received by a public official as a courtesy or diplomatic protocol are
considered property of the state if the value is over the "salario base".
This is the second time in a week that President Pacheco is in hot water over
his trips abroad.
*Proposed immigration bill ups rentista amount
An amendment to the proposed immigration reform law says that a husband and
wife seeking rentista status here must show a monthly income of $2,000. And
they must show an additional $500 a month for each dependent they bring with
them.
The immigration law is approaching a vote in the Asamblea Legislativa, and
the draft of the bill was made available by the legislative services
department of the assembly.
*Immigration Will Issue Passports,
Residency Cards with New Technology
The Costa Rican government will begin issuing new types of passports and
residency cards for foreigners next year in efforts to reduce forgery.
Immigration Director Marco Badilla says the current equipment for issuing
these documents – which was purchased five years ago – is “obsolete” and
“produces unsafe passports that are easily altered.”
Badilla said that in numerous cases, legal Costa Rican passports have been
stolen, their photos ripped off and the information changed.
With the new system, passports will have 42 laser-security strips, imprinted
with technology similar to that used in Belgium , which will make forgery
very difficult.
The official explained that during the past three years, Immigration
authorities have been notified of 300 altered passports and so far this year,
“we already know of 65 legitimate Costa Rican passports that have been
altered.”
Badilla said the new equipment to manufacture passports is in “acquisition
process” and will cost ¢1 billion (approximately $2 million).
The money will be provided to Immigration through an extraordinary budget
that must first be approved by legislators.
The new equipment will also be used in a pilot program for the manufacture of
visas by the Costa Rican consulate in Nicaragua , Colombia and Dominican
Republic , countries where fake visas have been issued to enter Costa Rica .
Costa Rican authorities will also modify residency cards for foreigners that
will also be issued using the new laser technology, Badilla said.
According to Immigration, one million Costa Ricans have passports – of which
750,000 are valid and the rest have expired.
*Earthquake in south
An earthquake with a magnitude of about 3.5 took place about 10 kms. (about 6
miles) south of Quepos about 2:20 p.m. Thursday. There were no reports of
injuries or damage.
* Prosecution Asks 2.080 Years Sentence For Sexual Abuse
Prosecutor Héctor Sáenz is asking a Siquirres criminal court for a sentence
of 2.080 years for a 68 year old farmer who is accused of sexually abusing
his step-daughter.
The man, only identified by his last name, Artavia, is charged with 208
counts of rape and sexual abuse, that began when the girl was six years old
and continued until she reached the age of 18, when she finally could leave
home.
The abused woman, identified by her last name Esquivel, is now 27 years old,
cannot erase the memories of her childhood and as a result of her ordeal now
suffers traumas in her marriage and daily life, telling the court in the
abuse trial that she "feels nothing" when she is with her husband.
The court also heard testimony how the man would threaten her with a machete
to re-enforce his words. "He would tell me that if I left the house, I would
be reading the news of how my mother and brother were killed", the woman told
the court.
The woman had complained of the abuses to her mother, who in turn would ask
her husband, who would deny any such actions. The mother said that she asked
her husband one time swear on the Virgen de los Ángeles. And as such they
visited the Basílica de los Ángeles in Cartago, where on his knees he swore
never to have abused his step-daughter.
At the trial, abused woman's sister also came forward and declared before the
court that she too had been abused by Artavia.
A court decision is expected this morning (Friday).
*Lack of Telephone Has Residents and Tourist Upset
When does it cost ¢4.000 colones (us$8.50) to make a local phone call?
Residents and tourists of Nueva Virginia, Los Ángeles y Caño Blanco, near
Siquirres, are upset because that is what it costs for them to make a local
phone call.
Not that the call is costly, it is the cost to travel to and from the only
public telephones in the area.
The shortage of telephone lines in the area means a trip by fishing boat to
barra de Paismina where the only the public telephones that serve the
community of 700, are located. A round trip to use the public phones cost
¢4.000 colones
The other option is to travel 6km to barrio Meryland, in El Carmen de
Siquirres, where the owners of the local grocery store have a telephone.
Mariana Campos, an employee at the Caño Blanco tourist office, says that
tourists to the area are very upset at the lack of a telephone, which means
they cannot call home to check in with family and friends.
ICE doesn't have an answer for the neighbours. The manager of the local ICE
office in Siquirres was too busy to answer calls.
*Insulza of Chile sworn in to head OAS
Jose Miguel Insulza of Chile was sworn in as secretary general of the
Organization of American States, at its headquarters.
The former Chilean vice president and interior minister was elected to the
OAS post on May 2, to succeed Miguel Angel Rodríguez,, who resigned to face
corruption charges in his native Costa Rica. Rodríguez served as president
of Costa Rica from 1998-2002.and is currently under house arrest.
Insulza assumed his post 10 days before the OAS annual assembly, to be held
June 5-7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
US representative to the OAS Luigi Einaudi had held the position of acting
secretary general.
Insulza spoke in favor of a US-backed initiative to monitor Latin America's
democracies as he met for the first time with the press as secretary general.
"It is not about giving the governments a grade, but to be able to say with
deliberation that there are problems here, difficulties here, needs here,"
Insulza said, after an earlier speech in which he asked for the tools for
what he called the effective application of the OAS Democratic Charter, which
can impose sanctions on countries that stray from constitutional democracy.
"I do not like the word 'monitor' very much," he said, alluding to the US
plan, which envisions a democracy monitoring commission, which Venezuela
rejected immediately.
Insulza said his alternative, an "evaluation mechanism," should exist with
the understanding of member states that it would not intervene in their
domestic affairs.
Insulza, 61, has served as Chile's foreign minister and interior minister, as
well as being named vice president when President Ricardo Lagos was traveling
outside Chile.
He has held cabinet posts for a total of 10 years, longer than anyone in
Chile's history, despite a 14-year exile during Chile's military dictatorship
under
Augusto Pinochet 1973-1990.
It was while exiled in Mexico that he met his Mexican wife, Georgina Nunez.
=========================================
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This publication is designed to have one display add
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articles or sections we have per day, the more room we
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depending on placement and frequency. You must order
a minimum of 5 insertions with your order. If there
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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.
=========================================
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=========================================
If you have a worthwhile, honest offering, please
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ad, or would like to place another one, the low
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=========================================
We give you hard hitting, timely, common sense articles and
news that the mainstream, or corporate media, either will
not or cannot give you. Several times a week we bring you
an up to date digest on what is going on in the world around
you.
At The Costa Rica Digest, we don't give you hype or BS or
"common knowledge" solutions, but we aim to give you
the cutting edge information you need. If you wish to
become a writer for us, submit your article[s] for
approval to costarica@destiny-worldwide.net. We cannot
pay for articles, but, instead, you may include a resource
box at the end of your article promoting your website
or product. We welcome submissions of all kinds to
make this a great publication for all to read!
=========================================
Find out about our OTHER Exciting E-mail groups on a broad
range of important topics. Subscription boxes for all of
them may be found here:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/boards.htm
The Restoration Website:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/rcg/
Destiny Central Success Resources
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The Costa Rica Page --
The Fun, the Sun.... The business opportunity
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/
Your Safe, Secure, Offshore Payment Processor
http://www.offshorearnings.com
-----------------> Visit our Blogs! <-----------------
----> SuccessQuest http://successquest.blogspot.com/
----> The Real Truth http://destiny-worldwide.blogspot.com/
----> Costa Rica News http://costa-rica-news.blogspot.com/
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Enjoy!
John
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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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SO, YA WANNA MOVE TO COSTA RICA?
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Announcing Costa Rica's FIRST online, multimedia,
always up to date, and FREE retirement and tourism
guide! See us at:
---->http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/wanna/forward.htm
OTHER SERVICES WE OFFER:
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Buyer's brokerage, Businesses for sale and opportunities,
all at: http://www.cr-realestate.com
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innovative shipping solutions, and much more:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/costa-rica/business.htm
DESTINY WORLDWIDE -- THE SERVICES YOU NEED, AT PRICES YOU
CAN AFFORD!
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WE'RE BACK!
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After a short absense, with today's digest, we are
starting regular publication of the News Digest again.
Shortly, we may luanch a web based edition as well.
Lots of things have changed at the Costa Rica Page,
including our new online guidebook. You also need
to check out Costa Rica Real Estate, the most innovative
real estate service in Costa Rica by far. In addition
to real estate, we offer an exclusive buyer's broker
program, where we work for YOUR interests instead of
the seller's. Let our years of expertise and contacts
work FOR YOU!
We also have experts on hand in business consulting,
construction and development, legal issues, and much
more including Costa Rica's first MORTGAGE BROKERAGE!
If you are in investor, take advantage of the HIGH
LOCAL MORTGAGE RATES, without incurring any more risk
than you would back home, when done right. And if you
are a borrower, let us match you with an investor!
Contrary to popular belief, mortgages for foreigners
are NOT generally available in Costa Rica, and, for
the most part, even those banks that say they will do
it, generally will NOT in the end. And there is no
secondary mortgage market here in Costa Rica.
WE AIM TO CHANGE THIS!
You can access our online submissiton form for BOTH
lenders and borrowers at the Costa Rica Real Estate
site.
See this and many more new services being offered in the
notice in the box above this one.
Together, WE CAN MAKE COSTA RICA A HOME FOR ALL OF US
TO ENJOY!
John
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DISCUSSION
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NEWS DIGEST
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* Pacheco In More Trouble Over Gifts
President Abel Pacheco continues to draw fire over accepting gifts and
bonuses for personal use.
Earlier this week, the Internal Auditor at Casa Presidencial, Herberth
Villavicencio, reprimanded the President in a letter, for accepting a
lifetime membership for he and his wife by the government of the Dominican
Republic, contrary to the new law "Ley contra la Corrupción y Enriquecimiento
Ilícito" - the new anti-corruption law.
Yesterday, Telenoticias, the local television channel 7 news, reports another
Presidential indiscretion; this one dating back to December of 2004, when the
President and his wife travelled to Spain for a vacation and his book
opening.
According to the Telenoticias investigation, the president paid from his
personal pocketbook the flight from Miami to Madrid and Seville and back to
Miami at a cost of ¢1.061.855 colones (us$2.300).
The question, however, is how did the president get to and from Miami from
Costa Rica?
An investigation to answer that question reveals that TACA airlines did not
charge the President the San José - Miami - San José portion of the trip.
Telenoticias was able to corroborate the fact the the President used tickets
given to the government by the airline, valued at ¢270.000 colones (us$565),
for he and his wife for the vacation trip.
Mario Zamora, manager of TACA airline in Costa Rica, confirmed that the two
tickers were issued to the President and his wife, following news reports
that the President was travelling to Miami.
The airline customarily provides the government of Costa Rica, primarily the
Ministerio de la Presidencia and Aviacion Civil, free passage on it's
airline. Zamora was emphatic that the free tickets are issued to the
government and no particular person or for personal use, and based on a
regulation by Aviación Civil.
The value of the tickets exceeded the "salario base" rule of the new
anti-corruption law.
The "salario base" in December of 2004 was ¢167.800 colones (us$355) while
the value of the tickets exceed that, which meant the President was obligated
to have reported it.
President Pacheco explained that the December trip was a "completely personal
trip" and nothing to do with his official capacity.
The anti-corruption law, signed by President Pacheco himself, came into
effect on October 29, 2004, less than two months before the president
accepted the free flight.
Article 20 of the anti-corruption law is clear that any donations and gifts
received by a public official as a courtesy or diplomatic protocol are
considered property of the state if the value is over the "salario base".
This is the second time in a week that President Pacheco is in hot water over
his trips abroad.
*Proposed immigration bill ups rentista amount
An amendment to the proposed immigration reform law says that a husband and
wife seeking rentista status here must show a monthly income of $2,000. And
they must show an additional $500 a month for each dependent they bring with
them.
The immigration law is approaching a vote in the Asamblea Legislativa, and
the draft of the bill was made available by the legislative services
department of the assembly.
*Immigration Will Issue Passports,
Residency Cards with New Technology
The Costa Rican government will begin issuing new types of passports and
residency cards for foreigners next year in efforts to reduce forgery.
Immigration Director Marco Badilla says the current equipment for issuing
these documents – which was purchased five years ago – is “obsolete” and
“produces unsafe passports that are easily altered.”
Badilla said that in numerous cases, legal Costa Rican passports have been
stolen, their photos ripped off and the information changed.
With the new system, passports will have 42 laser-security strips, imprinted
with technology similar to that used in Belgium , which will make forgery
very difficult.
The official explained that during the past three years, Immigration
authorities have been notified of 300 altered passports and so far this year,
“we already know of 65 legitimate Costa Rican passports that have been
altered.”
Badilla said the new equipment to manufacture passports is in “acquisition
process” and will cost ¢1 billion (approximately $2 million).
The money will be provided to Immigration through an extraordinary budget
that must first be approved by legislators.
The new equipment will also be used in a pilot program for the manufacture of
visas by the Costa Rican consulate in Nicaragua , Colombia and Dominican
Republic , countries where fake visas have been issued to enter Costa Rica .
Costa Rican authorities will also modify residency cards for foreigners that
will also be issued using the new laser technology, Badilla said.
According to Immigration, one million Costa Ricans have passports – of which
750,000 are valid and the rest have expired.
*Earthquake in south
An earthquake with a magnitude of about 3.5 took place about 10 kms. (about 6
miles) south of Quepos about 2:20 p.m. Thursday. There were no reports of
injuries or damage.
* Prosecution Asks 2.080 Years Sentence For Sexual Abuse
Prosecutor Héctor Sáenz is asking a Siquirres criminal court for a sentence
of 2.080 years for a 68 year old farmer who is accused of sexually abusing
his step-daughter.
The man, only identified by his last name, Artavia, is charged with 208
counts of rape and sexual abuse, that began when the girl was six years old
and continued until she reached the age of 18, when she finally could leave
home.
The abused woman, identified by her last name Esquivel, is now 27 years old,
cannot erase the memories of her childhood and as a result of her ordeal now
suffers traumas in her marriage and daily life, telling the court in the
abuse trial that she "feels nothing" when she is with her husband.
The court also heard testimony how the man would threaten her with a machete
to re-enforce his words. "He would tell me that if I left the house, I would
be reading the news of how my mother and brother were killed", the woman told
the court.
The woman had complained of the abuses to her mother, who in turn would ask
her husband, who would deny any such actions. The mother said that she asked
her husband one time swear on the Virgen de los Ángeles. And as such they
visited the Basílica de los Ángeles in Cartago, where on his knees he swore
never to have abused his step-daughter.
At the trial, abused woman's sister also came forward and declared before the
court that she too had been abused by Artavia.
A court decision is expected this morning (Friday).
*Lack of Telephone Has Residents and Tourist Upset
When does it cost ¢4.000 colones (us$8.50) to make a local phone call?
Residents and tourists of Nueva Virginia, Los Ángeles y Caño Blanco, near
Siquirres, are upset because that is what it costs for them to make a local
phone call.
Not that the call is costly, it is the cost to travel to and from the only
public telephones in the area.
The shortage of telephone lines in the area means a trip by fishing boat to
barra de Paismina where the only the public telephones that serve the
community of 700, are located. A round trip to use the public phones cost
¢4.000 colones
The other option is to travel 6km to barrio Meryland, in El Carmen de
Siquirres, where the owners of the local grocery store have a telephone.
Mariana Campos, an employee at the Caño Blanco tourist office, says that
tourists to the area are very upset at the lack of a telephone, which means
they cannot call home to check in with family and friends.
ICE doesn't have an answer for the neighbours. The manager of the local ICE
office in Siquirres was too busy to answer calls.
*Insulza of Chile sworn in to head OAS
Jose Miguel Insulza of Chile was sworn in as secretary general of the
Organization of American States, at its headquarters.
The former Chilean vice president and interior minister was elected to the
OAS post on May 2, to succeed Miguel Angel Rodríguez,, who resigned to face
corruption charges in his native Costa Rica. Rodríguez served as president
of Costa Rica from 1998-2002.and is currently under house arrest.
Insulza assumed his post 10 days before the OAS annual assembly, to be held
June 5-7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
US representative to the OAS Luigi Einaudi had held the position of acting
secretary general.
Insulza spoke in favor of a US-backed initiative to monitor Latin America's
democracies as he met for the first time with the press as secretary general.
"It is not about giving the governments a grade, but to be able to say with
deliberation that there are problems here, difficulties here, needs here,"
Insulza said, after an earlier speech in which he asked for the tools for
what he called the effective application of the OAS Democratic Charter, which
can impose sanctions on countries that stray from constitutional democracy.
"I do not like the word 'monitor' very much," he said, alluding to the US
plan, which envisions a democracy monitoring commission, which Venezuela
rejected immediately.
Insulza said his alternative, an "evaluation mechanism," should exist with
the understanding of member states that it would not intervene in their
domestic affairs.
Insulza, 61, has served as Chile's foreign minister and interior minister, as
well as being named vice president when President Ricardo Lagos was traveling
outside Chile.
He has held cabinet posts for a total of 10 years, longer than anyone in
Chile's history, despite a 14-year exile during Chile's military dictatorship
under
Augusto Pinochet 1973-1990.
It was while exiled in Mexico that he met his Mexican wife, Georgina Nunez.
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This publication is designed to have one display add
between each article or section. Thus, the more
articles or sections we have per day, the more room we
have for advertisements. Advertisements are filled
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when a spot becomes available. Please email us
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if we decide that your product or service has merit.
Email us at the above address for more details.
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email us. New subscribers get a free five line
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We give you hard hitting, timely, common sense articles and
news that the mainstream, or corporate media, either will
not or cannot give you. Several times a week we bring you
an up to date digest on what is going on in the world around
you.
At The Costa Rica Digest, we don't give you hype or BS or
"common knowledge" solutions, but we aim to give you
the cutting edge information you need. If you wish to
become a writer for us, submit your article[s] for
approval to costarica@destiny-worldwide.net. We cannot
pay for articles, but, instead, you may include a resource
box at the end of your article promoting your website
or product. We welcome submissions of all kinds to
make this a great publication for all to read!
=========================================
Find out about our OTHER Exciting E-mail groups on a broad
range of important topics. Subscription boxes for all of
them may be found here:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/boards.htm
The Restoration Website:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/rcg/
Destiny Central Success Resources
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/
=========================================
Hello all,
I am proud to announce the uploading of Chapter one and the forward of our new online guidebook, "So, Ya Wanna Move to Costa Rica."
This is a multimedia guidebook, that will include both text and interviews with various people of interest. We hope to tape the first 2 interviews shortly, and to add approximately one chapter per week until we are finnished.
And, of course, since this is an internet based guidebook, the beauty is that we can CHANGE IT whenever we need to! That should prove to be quite an advantage over stodgy old print!
And, of course, this is being offered to you FREE OF CHARGE! We are supported by your patronage of those services and products featured in the book, some of which we make a modest commission on!
So, if you have a worthwhile product, service, tour, etc., of interest to people visiting or wanting to live in Costa Rica, please contact us and we will get right back with you.
So come on, join the fun! Read our online guidebook today, and once per week!
Here is the URL:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/wanna/forward.htm
ENJOY!
John
I am proud to announce the uploading of Chapter one and the forward of our new online guidebook, "So, Ya Wanna Move to Costa Rica."
This is a multimedia guidebook, that will include both text and interviews with various people of interest. We hope to tape the first 2 interviews shortly, and to add approximately one chapter per week until we are finnished.
And, of course, since this is an internet based guidebook, the beauty is that we can CHANGE IT whenever we need to! That should prove to be quite an advantage over stodgy old print!
And, of course, this is being offered to you FREE OF CHARGE! We are supported by your patronage of those services and products featured in the book, some of which we make a modest commission on!
So, if you have a worthwhile product, service, tour, etc., of interest to people visiting or wanting to live in Costa Rica, please contact us and we will get right back with you.
So come on, join the fun! Read our online guidebook today, and once per week!
Here is the URL:
http://www.destiny-worldwide.net/wanna/forward.htm
ENJOY!
John
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
WHERE HAVE WE BEEN? As many of you have no doubt noticed, the News Digest
has only been coming out once a week or so for the past month. This is
because we are busy working on some surprises for you!
We are working RIGHT NOW on a new, FREE, retirement guide to Costa Rica, with
REAL USEFUL CONTENT, revised and updated websites, a redesign of the
publication, and also the start of webcasting again SOON. So keep watching
this publication for some exciting announcements SOON!
Trade pact prompts fears
of expensive AIDS drugs
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala — As the U.S. Congress prepares to debate passage
of the Central America Free Trade Act, some activists in the region are
hoping lawmakers in Washington will vote it down. Peasant organizations and
trade unions, worried about the effects of competition with U.S. companies,
are not the only ones taking to the streets. HIV-positive Guatemalans are
also opposed to the accord.
One, Rigoberto, a 55-year-old taxi driver, has been coming to a Guatemala
City AIDS clinic for his retroviral medicine for more than a year. But since
the government ratified the free trade pact, he says he has been worried
about getting the drugs he needs in the future. Activists say the accord's
provisions on intellectual property rights put serious restrictions on
generic drugs in countries that are too poor to pay for brand-name products.
"We can not buy expensive medicines," he says, adding that if he cannot get
medicine, he will die.
With the exception of the Caribbean, the Central American nations of Honduras
and Guatemala have the highest per-capita HIV-rates in the hemisphere.
During the past decade, activists have sued Central American governments to
force them to provide AIDS medicines in public- and social-security-run
hospitals. In recent years, activists like Costa Rican Guillermo Murillo have
fought to get governments to extend coverage to more patients.
While it is great that governments now give medicine, he says, more than half
the population in the region needing it is still not getting it. Under the
free trade pact, he said, it will be impossible to extend coverage.
Currently, generic retroviral treatments here cost about $400 per year per
patient. In coming years, patients may need to switch to new medicines, which
under the free trade pact would only be available in brand-name form. These
can cost as much as $10,000 per year per person.
Late last year in Guatemala, AIDS activists scored a big victory when a new
law was passed that further opened the country's market to generic drugs. But
the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Trade Representative put stern and open
pressure on the government to change the law, saying it contradicted the
already negotiated free trade pact.
In March, weeks before ratifying the free trade accord, the government
changed the law to bring it in line.
Rodolfo Lambour, who represents multi-national pharmaceutical companies in
Guatemala, agreed with the U.S. government's actions.
"For many years, there has been no intellectual property rights protection in
Central America, and now, we feel the time has come to respect a little bit
the intellectual property rights — which are legitimate and fair — of
companies that invest more than any other sector in industry, in research and
development of new products. It is our companies that help discover new and
innovative products that have given cures to many incurable diseases in the
past. We are not the enemy; we are friends of the people," Lambour says.
Lambour says there are mechanisms by which governments can still get
affordable medicine for AIDS programs, without hurting the companies that
develop them. Some analysts note there is a side letter to the free trade
pact that says intellectual property rights provisions should not affect
government AIDS programs.
But people like Alain Kergoat, of the humanitarian organization Doctors
Without Borders, says the only sure-fire way for Central Americans to ensure
continued access to generic drugs is for the U.S. Congress to vote against
the Central American free trade agreement.
"I hope there is enough time to explain to people in the United States the
effect this accord will have on health systems in these countries, he says."
At a recent protest outside Guatemala's Health Ministry, HIV-positive
demonstrators wearing paper bags over their heads shout, "We want health."
They say they are planning to stage protests like this one in front of U.S.
embassies across the region, and they are also working with AIDS activists in
the United States to lobby Congress.
The Senate is scheduled to hold its first debate on the trade pact Wednesday.
COMMENT: Since when is it "fair" to charge the poor, or anyone else for that
matter, $10,000.00 per year for a drug that should only cost $400.00? This
certainly shows whose loyalties the US government defends: those of the
insanely wealthy against those who have nothing.
And then there are still people who say "I don't understand why they hate us
so much." This is only one reason of many, and the people of the US should
also do something about this for their own benefit.
March Inflation
Registers at 0.83%
Costa Rica registered a monthly inflation of 0.83% in March, the National
Statistics and Census Institute (INEC) reported yesterday.
This brings inflation for the first three months of the year to 3.94%,
greater than inflation over the same period in 2004 (3.49%) and 2003 (2.12%).
The Central Bank has set its 2005 target inflation at 10%, and bank president
Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez has said controlling inflation is the bank's top
priority this year (TT, Jan. 21). Annual inflation in 2004 was 13.13%.
Former Vice-President of Ecuador
Returns Home, Gives up Asylum
The former Vice-President of Ecuador, Alberto Dahik, lost his political
asylum in Costa Rica , which he had enjoyed since 1996, upon returning to his
country last Friday, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
The legislation regarding asylum states that beneficiaries lose their status
upon returning to the country of their alleged persecution, the statement
said.
Costa Rica awarded Dahik asylum March 29, 1996, under legal arguments of
persecution, which he had alleged, but those arguments are no longer legally
valid as of his return to Ecuador , the statement continued.
Dahik had been in Costa Rica since Oct. 11, 1995.
The former vice-president returned to Ecuador one day after the Ecuadorian
Supreme Court annulled his conviction for corruption charges.
Upon his arrival, Dahik thanked his family in Ecuador and his friends who had
supported him during his absence, and thanked Costa Rica for being a “model
of liberty.”
“Dahik can formally present his renunciation of asylum and, if he desires, he
can also remain in Costa Rican territory, but no longer under the protection
of asylum,” the Foreign Ministry said.
--EFE
Carlos Santana In Concert in Costa Rica
Famous guitarist Carlos Santana will give his like concert tomorrow at the
Saprissa stadium San José.
The last time Carlos Santana appeared in Costa Rica was in September 29, 1979
where the legendary guitarist filled the Gymnasio Nacional, the crowds having
to gather outside the small building in the La Sabana park to listen to his
music.
Santana us who now 57 years of age, who is originally form Mexico, is on a
Latin America tour that includes Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador,
Puerto Rico and Mexico.
Since his start in the mid sixties, Santana has sold more than 30 million
albums and has appeared live before more than 13 million people.
Santana Band 2005 new line up
Joining the Santana Band for the 2005 Tour of Latin America / Mexico are
Bobby Allende on Congas & Tommy Anthony on Rhythm Guitar & Background Vocals.
Bobby Allende’s Afro-Cuban roots began at the age of three in New York City.
His dedication to his craft and spirited personality has earned him the
respect of some of the top names in the industry and the endorsements of
Latin Percussion, Vic Firth, Zildjian and many others.
Bobby has played and performed with musicians such as Tito Puente, Hector
Lavoe, Jose Alberto "El Canario", RMM All Stars and Ruben Blades, David
Byrne, Grover Washington, Jr., Rodney Jones, Spyro Gyra and most recently was
the musical director with Marc Anthony. To learn more about Bobby, please
check out Bobby Allende's bio.
Tommy Anthony brings warm rhythmic guitar tones and a beautiful voice to
complement the Santana sound. Tommy has a rich musical history & has toured
extensively with Gloria Estefan, Steve Winwood, Jon Secada, and Chayanne, His
Tickets Still Available
Tickets for tomorrow night's concert are still available and can be purchased
at any Mas x Menos supermarket. Prices range from ¢5.500 colones (us$11.75)
for the nose bleed sections of the stadium to ¢31.500 colones (us$67) for
floor seats.
New GSM Service in October, ICE Says
Following many months of speculation and uncertainties, the Instituto
Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) announced that is starting work on the
new GSM cellular network that will see the installation and marketing of
600.000 new GSM cellular lines.
ICE says that customers can start to make their request for the new cellular
service as early as October, but in reality it won't be until December when
the service will actually start operating.
The us$130 million contract with the Ericsson company has taken a long road
but it is now slowing becoming a reality, following the approval by the
Contraloría General de la Republica last month. Originally the contract was
signed in early 2004 and was to have been active by late last year.
Complications regarding the awarding of the contract and accusations possible
corruption following the Alcatel-ICE scandal last summer stalled the approval
process.
The new GSM network will be superior in service and quality of the existing
400.000 GSM lines installed by Alcatel.
ICE in the last 10 years, slowing but surely will count with the latest in
cellular telephone technology. With the new service, it is expected that the
transmission of photos will be permitted, along with a host of unannounced
services.
Current TDMA customers who want to switch to the GSM service will be able to
do so, connecting to the new GSM network without having to change their
current phone number.
One of the things that will be absent, for now at least, if the "pre-paid"
SIM chip. In most countries with GSM service, a customer can buy a
predetermined amount of calling time installed on a SIM chip that is inserted
in a GSM phone. Once the minutes are used up, the chip is discarded or
re-loaded with more minutes.
The pre-paid service is great for visitors to Costa Rica or those who don't
want to sign up for a fixed plan or want to limit the amount they call,
similar to the international calling cards 199 or 197 now on the market.
recording credits include Ricky Martin, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias and
Cristian Castro.
Reawaken your spirit, capture your soul, find your rhythm and explore one of
the few unspoiled places left in the world. Join the “African Wellness Diva”
Angelique Shofar from November 11-14, 2004 for the SoulFul Yoga and Nature
Retreat at the Playa Ocotal Resort in Costa Rica.
The SoulFul Yoga and Nature Retreat creates an atmosphere that allows the
awakening and healing of the mind, body and spirit, while participants find
true liberation and a deeper ancestral connection. The word “Soul” invokes
passion, aliveness and a tantalizing fusion and stirring of the senses. This
new style of Yoga, created by Angelique Shofar, encourages full expression
and reverence for the diverse African culture and speaks to the heart and
encourages people of color to experience the healing powers of this ancient
tradition.
This four day, 3 night experience will begin and end each day with a yoga
session. The retreat package includes single accommodations & breakfast, two
yoga sessions per day, a spa package at Fusion Natural Spa, a wellness
workshop and airport transfers from Liberia International Airport. There is
also a choice of nature tours to choose from. Deadline for registration is
September 15, 2004.
“More people are seeking retreats as a way to relax, regroup, revitalize and
rejoice in celebrating themselves through acts of self-love and
self-recognition, says Shofar. Venturing out of everyday environment allows
for a fresh perspective – a way to step outside the comfort zone and
experience other cultures.”
Angelique Shofar is a holistic health consultant, a certified yoga teacher,
African healer, body worker and body educator. The SoulFul Yoga and Nature
Retreat permits freedom to deepen the experience of natural, wholesome and
conscious living through the blending of both travel and retreat.
Playa Ocotal is the gate to the Gulf of Papagayo, a small beach protected by
hills and cliffs of sedimentary metamorphic rocks of 80 million years of age.
It is centrally located to several national parks, volcanoes, waterfalls,
caves and stunning beaches. The sea air is tinged with a whitish mist that
many healers believe to be rich in negative ions, small particles charged
with electricity that have beneficial effects on people, animals and plants.
Natural cosmetic line from Costa Rica to launch in US
Vista Group will be launching a line of natural cosmetics in the United
States using ingredients from Costa Rican lava fields. The line, labeled
"Rainforest Preserve", is not tested on animals and uses naturally-derived
ingredients like aloe leaf, chamomile, mint extract, orange hibiscus, and
green tea. If you enjoy this article, you may also be interested in an
article entitled 'FDA bans cosmetic makers from using brain and spinal cord
tissue as protection from mad cow disease.'
Wednesday, March 30, 2005 :: infoZine Staff :: page views
World Bank Approves $30 Million for Education in Costa Rica
The World Bank Group's Board of Directors approved today a $30 million loan
to Costa Rica to improve education indicators in the country in terms of
access, quality, completion, and equity of education.
WorldWashington, D.C. - infoZine - "Costa Rica has made extraordinary
achievements in the social sectors over the last 25 years, and this project
exemplifies the Government's commitment to closing the rural-urban education
gap, and improving the quality and efficiency of education," said Jane
Armitage, the World Bank's country director for Central America. "Sustaining
social progress in the country means optimizing the use of existing human,
physical and financial resources to benefit all Costaricans."
The Equity and Efficiency of Education Project will reduce existing education
quality gaps in rural education (including indigenous and afro-descendent
communities) and improve the equity and efficiency in the allocation,
administration and utilization of education sector resources in Costa Rica.
Specifically, the project will support the following activities:
* Reduce existing rural education gaps by empowering the technical units
of the Ministry of Public Education to prepare local initiatives that address
quality, equity, and internal efficiency in rural education. This component
will benefit approximately 230,000 students from indigenous/afro-descendent
and low-income communities in preschool, primary and secondary schools.
* Improve the impact of equity programs for low-income students by
increasing the capacity of the Ministry of Public Education to identify,
reach and monitor the delivery of education services in regions with low
education indicators and students from low income households. This component
will support demand-based equity programs -such as scholarships, vouchers,
transportation and school meals- and develop and implement an integrated
information system that can track the diverse education outcomes across
municipalities, communities and schools.
* Enhance the efficiency of the education sector's institutional and
economic resources allocated to the rural sector. This will be achieved
through inter-departmental integration strategies and working alliances
across central, regional and school organizations to conduct participatory
sector diagnosis, plan strategically, and implement, monitor and evaluate
education programs. In addition, the Ministry of Public Education's
coordination, fiduciary, monitoring and evaluation activities of externally
financed projects will be strengthened through increased capacity of the
Project Coordination Unit.
"By focusing on quality, equity and cost-effectiveness, the project aims to
sustain education indicators for all in primary and basic education, while
continuing to increase secondary education nationwide," said Joel E. Reyes,
World Bank task manager for the project.
The $30 million fixed-spread loan is repayable in 10 years and includes a
four-year grace period. The total project cost is $51 million, including $21
million in financing from the Government of Costa Rica.
For more information on the Equity and Efficiency of Education Project. For
more information about the World Bank's work on Education in Latin America &
the Caribbean, please visit: www.worldbank.org/laceducation For more
information about the World Bank's work in Costa Rica, please visit:
www.worldbank.org/costarica
RBTT Merchant sets up office in Costa Rica
Observer Business Reporter
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
RBTT Merchant Bank will next month open a representative office in San Jose,
Costa Rica, allowing it, the bank says, to capitalise on existing capital
market opportunities.
The merchant bank, a subsidiary of the RBTT Group, and a sister company to
RBTT Jamaica, has been very active in the Jamaican market, syndicating and
participating in hundreds of millions of dollars in loans.
The bank's managing director Lyndon Guiseppi, said the office in the
Spanish-speaking South American country would act as a resource and referral
point for ancillary business for the group. Its presence there would also
increase brand recognition in the financial community and gather market
intelligence.
"It is imperative that we continue to crave niches in new geographical
locations," said Guiseppi."Based on several years of information gathering on
the Central American financial landscape and our practical experience in
Costa Rica, we are eager to take this proactive step to create a physical
presence in what is considered to be the 'success story' of Central America."
RBTT Merchant Bank is a major provider of specialised financial services to
governments, public sector institutions and private-sector organisations in
the English-, Spanish- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.
COSTA RICA OPPOSES BEIJING USE OF FORCE AGAINST TAIWAN
2005/03/18 16:50:44
Washington, March 18 (CNA) The Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued
a statement Thursday calling for maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan
Strait and urging dialogue between Taiwan and mainland China to resolve
disputes peacefully. As a peace-loving country, Costa Rica opposes any use of
force unilaterally adopted by one side against the other, putting
cross-strait peace at stake, the statement says, adding that it is the common
position of all the world's peace-loving countries regarding the cross-strait
situation. Costa Rica, like all other countries in the world, hopes that
Taiwan and China can boost their mutual understanding and communications and
conduct negotiations to mend their differences based on the principles of
peace, friendship and respect for the people's free will, it says. Peace and
stability in the strait and Southeast Asia must not be undone by either side
through non-peaceful means, it stresses. The National People's Congress,
Beijing's ceremonial parliament, passed the Anti-Secession Law March 14 with
an aim of fending off Taiwan independence. (By Jorge Liu and Flor Wang)
ENDITEM/J
has only been coming out once a week or so for the past month. This is
because we are busy working on some surprises for you!
We are working RIGHT NOW on a new, FREE, retirement guide to Costa Rica, with
REAL USEFUL CONTENT, revised and updated websites, a redesign of the
publication, and also the start of webcasting again SOON. So keep watching
this publication for some exciting announcements SOON!
Trade pact prompts fears
of expensive AIDS drugs
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala — As the U.S. Congress prepares to debate passage
of the Central America Free Trade Act, some activists in the region are
hoping lawmakers in Washington will vote it down. Peasant organizations and
trade unions, worried about the effects of competition with U.S. companies,
are not the only ones taking to the streets. HIV-positive Guatemalans are
also opposed to the accord.
One, Rigoberto, a 55-year-old taxi driver, has been coming to a Guatemala
City AIDS clinic for his retroviral medicine for more than a year. But since
the government ratified the free trade pact, he says he has been worried
about getting the drugs he needs in the future. Activists say the accord's
provisions on intellectual property rights put serious restrictions on
generic drugs in countries that are too poor to pay for brand-name products.
"We can not buy expensive medicines," he says, adding that if he cannot get
medicine, he will die.
With the exception of the Caribbean, the Central American nations of Honduras
and Guatemala have the highest per-capita HIV-rates in the hemisphere.
During the past decade, activists have sued Central American governments to
force them to provide AIDS medicines in public- and social-security-run
hospitals. In recent years, activists like Costa Rican Guillermo Murillo have
fought to get governments to extend coverage to more patients.
While it is great that governments now give medicine, he says, more than half
the population in the region needing it is still not getting it. Under the
free trade pact, he said, it will be impossible to extend coverage.
Currently, generic retroviral treatments here cost about $400 per year per
patient. In coming years, patients may need to switch to new medicines, which
under the free trade pact would only be available in brand-name form. These
can cost as much as $10,000 per year per person.
Late last year in Guatemala, AIDS activists scored a big victory when a new
law was passed that further opened the country's market to generic drugs. But
the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Trade Representative put stern and open
pressure on the government to change the law, saying it contradicted the
already negotiated free trade pact.
In March, weeks before ratifying the free trade accord, the government
changed the law to bring it in line.
Rodolfo Lambour, who represents multi-national pharmaceutical companies in
Guatemala, agreed with the U.S. government's actions.
"For many years, there has been no intellectual property rights protection in
Central America, and now, we feel the time has come to respect a little bit
the intellectual property rights — which are legitimate and fair — of
companies that invest more than any other sector in industry, in research and
development of new products. It is our companies that help discover new and
innovative products that have given cures to many incurable diseases in the
past. We are not the enemy; we are friends of the people," Lambour says.
Lambour says there are mechanisms by which governments can still get
affordable medicine for AIDS programs, without hurting the companies that
develop them. Some analysts note there is a side letter to the free trade
pact that says intellectual property rights provisions should not affect
government AIDS programs.
But people like Alain Kergoat, of the humanitarian organization Doctors
Without Borders, says the only sure-fire way for Central Americans to ensure
continued access to generic drugs is for the U.S. Congress to vote against
the Central American free trade agreement.
"I hope there is enough time to explain to people in the United States the
effect this accord will have on health systems in these countries, he says."
At a recent protest outside Guatemala's Health Ministry, HIV-positive
demonstrators wearing paper bags over their heads shout, "We want health."
They say they are planning to stage protests like this one in front of U.S.
embassies across the region, and they are also working with AIDS activists in
the United States to lobby Congress.
The Senate is scheduled to hold its first debate on the trade pact Wednesday.
COMMENT: Since when is it "fair" to charge the poor, or anyone else for that
matter, $10,000.00 per year for a drug that should only cost $400.00? This
certainly shows whose loyalties the US government defends: those of the
insanely wealthy against those who have nothing.
And then there are still people who say "I don't understand why they hate us
so much." This is only one reason of many, and the people of the US should
also do something about this for their own benefit.
March Inflation
Registers at 0.83%
Costa Rica registered a monthly inflation of 0.83% in March, the National
Statistics and Census Institute (INEC) reported yesterday.
This brings inflation for the first three months of the year to 3.94%,
greater than inflation over the same period in 2004 (3.49%) and 2003 (2.12%).
The Central Bank has set its 2005 target inflation at 10%, and bank president
Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez has said controlling inflation is the bank's top
priority this year (TT, Jan. 21). Annual inflation in 2004 was 13.13%.
Former Vice-President of Ecuador
Returns Home, Gives up Asylum
The former Vice-President of Ecuador, Alberto Dahik, lost his political
asylum in Costa Rica , which he had enjoyed since 1996, upon returning to his
country last Friday, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
The legislation regarding asylum states that beneficiaries lose their status
upon returning to the country of their alleged persecution, the statement
said.
Costa Rica awarded Dahik asylum March 29, 1996, under legal arguments of
persecution, which he had alleged, but those arguments are no longer legally
valid as of his return to Ecuador , the statement continued.
Dahik had been in Costa Rica since Oct. 11, 1995.
The former vice-president returned to Ecuador one day after the Ecuadorian
Supreme Court annulled his conviction for corruption charges.
Upon his arrival, Dahik thanked his family in Ecuador and his friends who had
supported him during his absence, and thanked Costa Rica for being a “model
of liberty.”
“Dahik can formally present his renunciation of asylum and, if he desires, he
can also remain in Costa Rican territory, but no longer under the protection
of asylum,” the Foreign Ministry said.
--EFE
Carlos Santana In Concert in Costa Rica
Famous guitarist Carlos Santana will give his like concert tomorrow at the
Saprissa stadium San José.
The last time Carlos Santana appeared in Costa Rica was in September 29, 1979
where the legendary guitarist filled the Gymnasio Nacional, the crowds having
to gather outside the small building in the La Sabana park to listen to his
music.
Santana us who now 57 years of age, who is originally form Mexico, is on a
Latin America tour that includes Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador,
Puerto Rico and Mexico.
Since his start in the mid sixties, Santana has sold more than 30 million
albums and has appeared live before more than 13 million people.
Santana Band 2005 new line up
Joining the Santana Band for the 2005 Tour of Latin America / Mexico are
Bobby Allende on Congas & Tommy Anthony on Rhythm Guitar & Background Vocals.
Bobby Allende’s Afro-Cuban roots began at the age of three in New York City.
His dedication to his craft and spirited personality has earned him the
respect of some of the top names in the industry and the endorsements of
Latin Percussion, Vic Firth, Zildjian and many others.
Bobby has played and performed with musicians such as Tito Puente, Hector
Lavoe, Jose Alberto "El Canario", RMM All Stars and Ruben Blades, David
Byrne, Grover Washington, Jr., Rodney Jones, Spyro Gyra and most recently was
the musical director with Marc Anthony. To learn more about Bobby, please
check out Bobby Allende's bio.
Tommy Anthony brings warm rhythmic guitar tones and a beautiful voice to
complement the Santana sound. Tommy has a rich musical history & has toured
extensively with Gloria Estefan, Steve Winwood, Jon Secada, and Chayanne, His
Tickets Still Available
Tickets for tomorrow night's concert are still available and can be purchased
at any Mas x Menos supermarket. Prices range from ¢5.500 colones (us$11.75)
for the nose bleed sections of the stadium to ¢31.500 colones (us$67) for
floor seats.
New GSM Service in October, ICE Says
Following many months of speculation and uncertainties, the Instituto
Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) announced that is starting work on the
new GSM cellular network that will see the installation and marketing of
600.000 new GSM cellular lines.
ICE says that customers can start to make their request for the new cellular
service as early as October, but in reality it won't be until December when
the service will actually start operating.
The us$130 million contract with the Ericsson company has taken a long road
but it is now slowing becoming a reality, following the approval by the
Contraloría General de la Republica last month. Originally the contract was
signed in early 2004 and was to have been active by late last year.
Complications regarding the awarding of the contract and accusations possible
corruption following the Alcatel-ICE scandal last summer stalled the approval
process.
The new GSM network will be superior in service and quality of the existing
400.000 GSM lines installed by Alcatel.
ICE in the last 10 years, slowing but surely will count with the latest in
cellular telephone technology. With the new service, it is expected that the
transmission of photos will be permitted, along with a host of unannounced
services.
Current TDMA customers who want to switch to the GSM service will be able to
do so, connecting to the new GSM network without having to change their
current phone number.
One of the things that will be absent, for now at least, if the "pre-paid"
SIM chip. In most countries with GSM service, a customer can buy a
predetermined amount of calling time installed on a SIM chip that is inserted
in a GSM phone. Once the minutes are used up, the chip is discarded or
re-loaded with more minutes.
The pre-paid service is great for visitors to Costa Rica or those who don't
want to sign up for a fixed plan or want to limit the amount they call,
similar to the international calling cards 199 or 197 now on the market.
recording credits include Ricky Martin, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias and
Cristian Castro.
Reawaken your spirit, capture your soul, find your rhythm and explore one of
the few unspoiled places left in the world. Join the “African Wellness Diva”
Angelique Shofar from November 11-14, 2004 for the SoulFul Yoga and Nature
Retreat at the Playa Ocotal Resort in Costa Rica.
The SoulFul Yoga and Nature Retreat creates an atmosphere that allows the
awakening and healing of the mind, body and spirit, while participants find
true liberation and a deeper ancestral connection. The word “Soul” invokes
passion, aliveness and a tantalizing fusion and stirring of the senses. This
new style of Yoga, created by Angelique Shofar, encourages full expression
and reverence for the diverse African culture and speaks to the heart and
encourages people of color to experience the healing powers of this ancient
tradition.
This four day, 3 night experience will begin and end each day with a yoga
session. The retreat package includes single accommodations & breakfast, two
yoga sessions per day, a spa package at Fusion Natural Spa, a wellness
workshop and airport transfers from Liberia International Airport. There is
also a choice of nature tours to choose from. Deadline for registration is
September 15, 2004.
“More people are seeking retreats as a way to relax, regroup, revitalize and
rejoice in celebrating themselves through acts of self-love and
self-recognition, says Shofar. Venturing out of everyday environment allows
for a fresh perspective – a way to step outside the comfort zone and
experience other cultures.”
Angelique Shofar is a holistic health consultant, a certified yoga teacher,
African healer, body worker and body educator. The SoulFul Yoga and Nature
Retreat permits freedom to deepen the experience of natural, wholesome and
conscious living through the blending of both travel and retreat.
Playa Ocotal is the gate to the Gulf of Papagayo, a small beach protected by
hills and cliffs of sedimentary metamorphic rocks of 80 million years of age.
It is centrally located to several national parks, volcanoes, waterfalls,
caves and stunning beaches. The sea air is tinged with a whitish mist that
many healers believe to be rich in negative ions, small particles charged
with electricity that have beneficial effects on people, animals and plants.
Natural cosmetic line from Costa Rica to launch in US
Vista Group will be launching a line of natural cosmetics in the United
States using ingredients from Costa Rican lava fields. The line, labeled
"Rainforest Preserve", is not tested on animals and uses naturally-derived
ingredients like aloe leaf, chamomile, mint extract, orange hibiscus, and
green tea. If you enjoy this article, you may also be interested in an
article entitled 'FDA bans cosmetic makers from using brain and spinal cord
tissue as protection from mad cow disease.'
Wednesday, March 30, 2005 :: infoZine Staff :: page views
World Bank Approves $30 Million for Education in Costa Rica
The World Bank Group's Board of Directors approved today a $30 million loan
to Costa Rica to improve education indicators in the country in terms of
access, quality, completion, and equity of education.
WorldWashington, D.C. - infoZine - "Costa Rica has made extraordinary
achievements in the social sectors over the last 25 years, and this project
exemplifies the Government's commitment to closing the rural-urban education
gap, and improving the quality and efficiency of education," said Jane
Armitage, the World Bank's country director for Central America. "Sustaining
social progress in the country means optimizing the use of existing human,
physical and financial resources to benefit all Costaricans."
The Equity and Efficiency of Education Project will reduce existing education
quality gaps in rural education (including indigenous and afro-descendent
communities) and improve the equity and efficiency in the allocation,
administration and utilization of education sector resources in Costa Rica.
Specifically, the project will support the following activities:
* Reduce existing rural education gaps by empowering the technical units
of the Ministry of Public Education to prepare local initiatives that address
quality, equity, and internal efficiency in rural education. This component
will benefit approximately 230,000 students from indigenous/afro-descendent
and low-income communities in preschool, primary and secondary schools.
* Improve the impact of equity programs for low-income students by
increasing the capacity of the Ministry of Public Education to identify,
reach and monitor the delivery of education services in regions with low
education indicators and students from low income households. This component
will support demand-based equity programs -such as scholarships, vouchers,
transportation and school meals- and develop and implement an integrated
information system that can track the diverse education outcomes across
municipalities, communities and schools.
* Enhance the efficiency of the education sector's institutional and
economic resources allocated to the rural sector. This will be achieved
through inter-departmental integration strategies and working alliances
across central, regional and school organizations to conduct participatory
sector diagnosis, plan strategically, and implement, monitor and evaluate
education programs. In addition, the Ministry of Public Education's
coordination, fiduciary, monitoring and evaluation activities of externally
financed projects will be strengthened through increased capacity of the
Project Coordination Unit.
"By focusing on quality, equity and cost-effectiveness, the project aims to
sustain education indicators for all in primary and basic education, while
continuing to increase secondary education nationwide," said Joel E. Reyes,
World Bank task manager for the project.
The $30 million fixed-spread loan is repayable in 10 years and includes a
four-year grace period. The total project cost is $51 million, including $21
million in financing from the Government of Costa Rica.
For more information on the Equity and Efficiency of Education Project. For
more information about the World Bank's work on Education in Latin America &
the Caribbean, please visit: www.worldbank.org/laceducation For more
information about the World Bank's work in Costa Rica, please visit:
www.worldbank.org/costarica
RBTT Merchant sets up office in Costa Rica
Observer Business Reporter
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
RBTT Merchant Bank will next month open a representative office in San Jose,
Costa Rica, allowing it, the bank says, to capitalise on existing capital
market opportunities.
The merchant bank, a subsidiary of the RBTT Group, and a sister company to
RBTT Jamaica, has been very active in the Jamaican market, syndicating and
participating in hundreds of millions of dollars in loans.
The bank's managing director Lyndon Guiseppi, said the office in the
Spanish-speaking South American country would act as a resource and referral
point for ancillary business for the group. Its presence there would also
increase brand recognition in the financial community and gather market
intelligence.
"It is imperative that we continue to crave niches in new geographical
locations," said Guiseppi."Based on several years of information gathering on
the Central American financial landscape and our practical experience in
Costa Rica, we are eager to take this proactive step to create a physical
presence in what is considered to be the 'success story' of Central America."
RBTT Merchant Bank is a major provider of specialised financial services to
governments, public sector institutions and private-sector organisations in
the English-, Spanish- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.
COSTA RICA OPPOSES BEIJING USE OF FORCE AGAINST TAIWAN
2005/03/18 16:50:44
Washington, March 18 (CNA) The Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued
a statement Thursday calling for maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan
Strait and urging dialogue between Taiwan and mainland China to resolve
disputes peacefully. As a peace-loving country, Costa Rica opposes any use of
force unilaterally adopted by one side against the other, putting
cross-strait peace at stake, the statement says, adding that it is the common
position of all the world's peace-loving countries regarding the cross-strait
situation. Costa Rica, like all other countries in the world, hopes that
Taiwan and China can boost their mutual understanding and communications and
conduct negotiations to mend their differences based on the principles of
peace, friendship and respect for the people's free will, it says. Peace and
stability in the strait and Southeast Asia must not be undone by either side
through non-peaceful means, it stresses. The National People's Congress,
Beijing's ceremonial parliament, passed the Anti-Secession Law March 14 with
an aim of fending off Taiwan independence. (By Jorge Liu and Flor Wang)
ENDITEM/J
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