The Tico Times Online

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, October 08, 2002

GRANDFATHERLY ADVICE: President Pacheco meets Taiwanese counterpart Chen Shui-bian. Story below.
photo courtesy Casa Presidencial

NEWS FLASH!!
(posted Tuesday 12:45 p.m.)

Flood Warning Issued For Central Pacific Region
The National Emergency Council (CNE) has issued a flood warning for the central Pacific region because of abnormally high tides that will begin tomorrow around 4:30 a.m.. A strong possibility of flooding exists at Nosara and Sámara beaches, in the northwestern province of Nicoya, and in the cities of Puntarenas, Jacó, Parrita and Quepos.
According to Lídier Esquivel of the CNE, the abnormally high tides could produce waves as high as three meters (10 feet). The CNE is urging area residents and visitors in these to stay away from the beach and evacuate oceanfront homes.

October 08

Canadian Thanksgiving
Call today to reserve. The club will be collecting non-perishable food at the event for the food bank; please bring a donation if you can. The event is October 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Gran Hotel Costa Rica, children under 5 free, 5-14 ¢2,500, adults ¢4,500 (members), ¢5,000 (guests). Info and reservations at 228-5393, sumaro2@racsa.co.cr

Ortography Contest Final
Seventeen kids around the country will participate in tomorrow's contest final. The winner will travel to Argentina to the Hispano-American contest. At 9 a.m., at the National Auditorium, Children’s Museum, west end of Ca. 4, 296-2722.

Celtics Music
Spanish Cultural Center invites everyone to its show "Danza en el Bosque," with music by Peregrino Gris, Hery Mendoza and Bernal Monestel. At 7 p.m., Av. 13, Ca. 31. Info: 257-2919.

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Banana Ship's Crew Faces Deportation
By Tim Rogers
Tico Times Staff
An irate Dutch banana boat captain is reportedly refusing to ship out of the Caribbean port of Limón, following the arrest and pending deportation of five of his 20 crewmembers.

The five Filipinos from the "Klipper Stream" were detained by Immigration police Sunday afternoon for not having proper shore passes, and moved yesterday to a San José jail where they are awaiting deportation to the Philippines, according to an Immigration spokeswoman.

Although the detainees reportedly told Immigration officers they had left their passports on the ship, police determined that they had entered the country in an "irregular state."

According to a port zone worker who wished to remain nameless, Immigration officers never bordered the Klipper Stream to issue shore passes, as is usually done during a ship's stay at port.

Immigration spokeswoman Karol Messing told The Tico Times that the crew members didn't wait for officers to board the ship, and will now be treated the same as any other person who enters the country illegally.

The ship's captain confirmed that five of his crewmembers were arrested, but declined further comment to The Tico Times.

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Pacheco Promises Support for Taiwan

President Abel Pacheco yesterday arrived in Taiwan as part of an official visit in which he will meet with leaders and discuss various aid projects. His visit coincided with the birth of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's first grandchild - an event both men believe symbolizes the strong ties their nations share.

"This child is a herald of the friendship between our countries," Pacheco told the local press. "Despite the distance, we share many of the same values."

Shui-bian praised Pacheco and Costa Rica for their strong commitment to human rights. He asked Pacheco for advice on how to be both a good president and a good grandfather.

During a ceremony in his honor, Pacheco stated that it was time for other countries to join Costa Rica in welcoming Taiwan into the international community.

"I come to honor this country's right to participate in international organisms," he explained.

As a result of its longstanding dispute with mainland China, few countries officially recognize Taiwan.

Shui-bian announced Taiwan would increase aid to Costa Rica in the areas of financial assistance, infrastructure and education. He thanked Costa Rica for 60 years of unconditional support for Taiwan.

After meeting with Shu-bian, Pacheco and the Costa Rican delegation visited the headquarters of RSEA, the firm that is building the "La Amistad" bridge over the Tempisque River and will be in charge of constructing the Naranjo-Florecia highway in the Northern Zone.

Pacheco thanked RSEA, a world-leader in the construction of earthquake-resistant structures, for the technical assistance it has provided Costa Rica in the past.

The Tempisque Bridge is tentatively scheduled to be opened next month.

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Tica 'Drug Mule' Busted at Airport
A 20-year-old Costa Rican woman from the Caribbean port town of Limón was busted Saturday at Juan Santamaría International Airport allegedly trying to smuggle 953 grams of cocaine out of the country, according to a Ministry of Public Security press release. The drugs were reportedly packed inside capsules, hidden in a wig and her underwear.

The young woman, identified by the last name Cross, had arrived from Panama, and was en route to London via Venezuela and Amsterdam, according to police. However, her adventure ended here when she was arrested for drug-trafficking -- a penalty that carries up to 20 years in prison.

Police claim they are worried about the increase in young "mules" being used to smuggle drugs, and are calling on young people to avoid getting lured into a life-style beyond their economic means.

Drug Police have set up a 24-hour anonymous tip line and are asking citizens for help in cracking down on smuggling: 800-DROGAS NO.

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