The Tico Times Online

MISS CONTROVERSY: C.R. government opposed to Miss Costa Rica's
participation in Miss World Pageant in Nigeria
photo by Ronal Perez/La Naciòn

Government Opposes Participation in Miss World Contest
By Tim Rogers
Tico Times Staff
Citing human-rights concerns, the Costa Rican government yesterday joined eight other countries to officially protest participation in the Nov. 30 Miss World pageant in Nigeria, where 30-year-old divorcee Amina Lawal was sentenced to be stoned to death for having a child out of wedlock. The public stoning is scheduled for 2004.
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Bolaños Willing to Renounce Immunity
MANAGUA (AFP) - Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños announced Thursday that he will renounce his immunity to face corruption charges presented by former President Arnoldo Alemán, when and if Alemán renounces his own immunity.
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Chase Me Comrade (in English)
LAST WEEKEND! Latest LTG Production, British Comedy, a wildly funny three-act play, Oct. 4-6, Blanche Brown Theater, Bello Horizonte, Escaz??89-3910.

Corona de Canciones
Choir show with the participation of famous Mixed German Choir from Mainhausen, Frankfurt, Concordia Coral, Intermezzo Chamber Choir and Caf?Chorale. Tonight at 7 p.m. at the National Auditorium in the Children’s Museum, west Ca. 4.

Free Health Talk
By leading health educator Ray Kent, first time in Costa Rica. Sunday at 2 p.m. at Unity, in Trejos Montealegre, 625 m. north of Pizza 2x1. Info: 228-6051.

Kathak
Indian Classical Dance with five-member troupe led by famous Indian Kathak dancer Sunayana Hazarilal. Sunday at 8 p.m. at Teatro Fanal, Av. 3, Ca. 15. Info: 367-2831.

Pet Adoption and Vaccination Campaign
Also food sales, tomorrow from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and a veterinarian will answer questions from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. At Plaza America Shopping Center, 281-2664, ABA_Animal@Hotmail.com

See today's TT print edition for full calendar listings

Government Opposes Participation in Miss World Contest
By Tim Rogers
Tico Times Staff
Citing human-rights concerns, the Costa Rican government yesterday joined eight other countries to officially protest participation in the Nov. 30 Miss World pageant in Nigeria, where 30-year-old divorcee Amina Lawal was sentenced to be stoned to death for having a child out of wedlock. The public stoning is scheduled for 2004.

"We cannot accept Costa Rica's participation in a country where women's rights are violated," Esmeralda Britton, Minster of Women's Affairs, told The Tico Times Thursday afternoon. "We don't think [Miss Costa Rica] Shirley Alvarez should wear a sash representing Costa Rica."

However, she added, the event is a private affair, and the ultimate decision of whether or not to participate is up to Alvarez.

Britton claims she has tried to contact Alvarez by "sending her a beeper every 10 minutes," but has not yet received a return call or been able to locate the 21-year-old beauty queen.

The Women's Minister expects Alvarez, who is sponsored by Channel 7 TV, to respond today, following Thursday's announcement of government opposition.

Fifteen lawmakers from different political parties yesterday sent a letter to Channel 7 president Olga Cozza, requesting that the network cancel its sponsorship of the event. But, as of last night, Cozza had not answered.

President Abel Pacheco, meanwhile, sent a letter to his Nigerian counterpart, Olusegun Obansanjo, July 12, asking that human rights be respected, regardless of differences in the two nation's judicial systems.

Pacheco also supports the pageant boycott.

Britton tells The Tico Times she is trying to organize a region-wide protest of the pageant. She has sent letters to Ministers of Women's Affairs and activists throughout Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. So far, Panama has responded in favor of the initiative, and Britton believes the other countries will soon follow suit.

"Organizing this should not be a problem," she said. "This is something we are all opposed to."

With its public opposition, Costa Rica and Panama this week joined in protest France, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Kenia and the Ivory Coast.

C.R. Wildlife Highlighted in New Book
A new book boasting Costa Rica's biodiversity and wildlife is ready to hit the bookstands in the U.S. this week, according to a Foreign Ministry press release.

"Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica," by U.S. biologist Carrol Henderson, was presented Thursday in Washington, D.C. to Costa Rican Ambassador to the United States Jamie Daremblum.

"As a Costa Rican, I am honored to have in my hands a book that reminds us that Costa Rica is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity," said Daremblum, who was accompanied by former President Miguel Angel Rodríguez, Environment Minister Carlos Rodríguez and several U.S. congressmen.

The book's author, who works for Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources, says he fell in love with Costa Rica during his first visit here in 1969, and has traveled back here 25 times since. In addition to his love for the country's nature, Henderson also fell in love with Tica Ethelle González, with whom he has been married for 33 years and has a son, Craig.

There is still no information about where the book will be sold here, or its cost.

Bolaños Willing to Renounce Immunity
MANAGUA (AFP) - Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños announced Thursday that he will renounce his immunity to face corruption charges presented by former President Arnoldo Alemán, when and if Alemán renounces his own immunity.

"Logically, both of us will have to face corruption charges, if [Alemán] files formal charges," Bolaños said. "I am not afraid."

Alemán, who is under investigation for allegedly bilking the government of some $96 million while in power, has alleged that he has evidence that some of the questionable money was used to fund Bolaños campaign. However, Alemán has not yet made good on his promise to present the judge with the "proof" he claims to have.

Alemán, who may be stripped of his immunity by congress as early as next week, has also threatened to sue Bolaños' for slander caused by a corruption campaign that he feels is based on "personal attacks" of his character.