Previous Letters

In the last edition of your paper, there were three references to Middle Easterners.

One reference was in the article by Jiri and Leni Valenti, “Tico Author Traces Roots of Border Conflict,” which warned of the consequences “if Iran eventually succeeds in acquiring weapons of mass destruction.” This is a reflection of the lie that got us into the war with Iraq and left it an occupied country. Would mankind really want another war in Iran over the same lie?

Then there is the sad story of a Costa Rican family who lost one son in Iraq and another who committed suicide due to depression from the loss of his brother.

Later, there is reference to the building of a hotel in Costa Rica and the use of an ethnic slur concerning Arabs. Promotion of stereotypes does not help.

If we do not learn from the past, how are we to improve in the future? Now is the time to look for the real reasons for war and avoid them. We do not have to look far. A striking example is the building of a highway on the northern border of Costa Rica, which some fear will be used for military purposes. 

Petroleum has been found 418 kilometers offshore, and the race is on between foreign powers to procure it. There are also strong indications of gas deposits. 

Costa Ricans need to be vigilant, or they will have to kiss their constitution goodbye.