The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, October 21, 2002

MY HANDS ARE CLEAN: President Pacheco sets record straight on campaign finance scandal.
TT/Photo Julio Laínez

October 21

Training Course for Naturalist Guides
Class features teachings in a variety of topics related to the Costa Rican biodiversity. From Oct. 28-Nov. 1 at INBio Park, Santo Domingo, Heredia. Info: 244-0690, ext. 854, phurtadu@inbio.ac.cr

Femenine Sculptures
Miguel Angel Brenes exhibits his show "The Eternal Femenine," at the National Gallery. Show runs through the end of the month. The gallery is in the Children's Museum, west end Ca. 4.

Search for Voices
Heredia Liric Choir invites everyone who loves Chamber music to its auditions, which will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at the Firestation of the province. Info: 237-3911, 390-7290.

Dog International Exhibit
Pedigree and Asociación Canofila invite all canine lovers to its next International Dog show, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Fercori, Ca. 23, Av. 7-9, registration deadline is Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.. Info: 253-0809, 280-8711.

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Pacheco Explains Campaign Finances
By Tim Rogers
Tico Times Staff
Continuing to defend his reputation and again insisting that he has done nothing illegal, President Abel Pacheco went before the nation yesterday morning for his weekly radio address, and attempted to finally set the record straight on the month-old scandal involving foreign campaign donations.

The President explained that the man in charge of handling his campaign contributions was Social Christian Unity Party leader Rodolfo Montero, who just returned to Costa Rica last week after being out of the country for more than two weeks.

Because Montero had the answers to recent questions posed to Pacheco by journalists and opposition lawmakers, the President waited until yesterday to address the growing concerns of campaign finance irregularities.

Reading from a letter written to him by Montero, Pacheco explained that a group of 10 of his campaign supporters opened three private bank accounts -- one in Pacheco's name, one in the name of Gramínea Plateada, and a Panamanian account under the company name Bayamo S.A. en Panama -- to help raise the funds necessary to finance his presidential run.

In the letter, Montero denied allegations made last week by Citizen Action Party deputy Humberto Arce, who accused Pacheco of receiving a large donation from the government of Taiwan.

Montero did however admit that other unidentified foreign businessmen deposited donations.

There was no mention in the letter of the questionable $30,000 contribution made to Pacheco by Lebanese-born Panamanian businessman Abdul Mohamed Waked, who is thought to be under investigation by the United States (TT, Sept. 27).

Montero stressed that no laws were violated, because none of the foreign contributions went through official party channels.

Under Article 176 of the Electoral Code, it is illegal for parties to receive foreign campaign donations. However, Montero pointed out, the law does not apply to a group of "friends" who set up bank accounts to help raise funds.

"So where is the irregularity?" Montero demanded.

Legal analysts consulted by The Tico Times last month agree that Pacheco -- who renounced his immunity Sept. 23 -- and company cannot be found guilty of violating the law.

"The Electoral Code prohibits foreign campaign donations, but establishes that political parties, not candidates, can be sanctioned for accepting illegal contributions," said Rodolfo Cerdas, lawyer for the political think tank CIAPA. "There is great confusion about this, but don Abel cannot be held legally accountable" (TT, Sept. 27).

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Ticos Oppose U.S. Attack on Iraq
By Tim Rogers
Tico Times Staff

Nobel Peace Laureate and former President Oscar Arias may be the most outspoken and visible Costa Rican opposed to a U.S. military strike on Iraq, but he is not alone.

The great majority of Ticos opposes a U.S. attack on Iraq, and is worried about the negative consequences such a military campaign would have on Costa Rica, according to a survey conducted by Universidad Nacional's Institute of Social Studies.

A demographically balanced phone interview of 600 Ticos, found that 69 percent believe the U.S. has proof that Iraq has developed weapons of mass destruction, but 82 percent are opposed to the U.S. bombing the Arab nation.

Seven out of 10 Ticos are nervous that a U.S. attack would prompt other Arab Nations to ally with Iraq and join in the war against Uncle Sam.

Ninety percent believe a U.S. attack on Iraq would have a negative affect on Costa Rican tourism, the price of gas and the value of the colón. And 92 percent say that Costa Rica is poorly prepared or not prepared at all to deal with a world disaster resulting from war.

Yet despite Costa Rica's perceived lack of preparedness, 53 percent of Ticos don't feel their country is at risk of a terrorist attack, while 36 percent think a terrorist attack here is "probable" or "very probable."

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Amputee Dies in Hospital
Francisco Moya died Saturday afternoon in San José's Calderón Guardia Hospital, after doctors erroneously amputated the 49-year-old diabetic patient's wrong leg Oct. 11 (TT Daily Page, Tuesday Oct. 15).

When doctors in the Caribbean slope town of Turrialba last week discovered they had amputated Moya's "good leg," they were forced to amputate the sick leg also.

The Social Security System's medical directorate is investigating the issue, and the family has told the national daily press they plan to file a malpractice suit.

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