The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, October 31, 2002

HAPPY HALLOWEEN: Escazú is a favorite stomping ground for brujas of all ages.
TT/photo

October 31

At the Movies
Contemporary Art and Design Museum presents the movie El Dormilón, directed by Woody Allen. At 5:30 p.m. at the Videoteca of the Museum at Av. 3, Ca. 15. Info: 257-7202.

Tonight’s Concert Suspended
Tonight's concert planned at the National Auditorium has been changed to Nov. 22. Juan Manuel Arana, director of the National Auditorium, at the Children’s Museum apologizes for the inconveniences. Info: Anayanci Quirós, Soprano, 234-1996, Anayanci_soprano@costarricense.cr

ExpoCan 2002
One of the best canine events organized by the Costa Rican Canine Asociation, with eight international judges. Raffles, stands, exhibits, and dog products on sale. Open through Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Info: 280-8711, www.acc.or.cr

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Culture Minister Appeals Budget
Cut for New Art Museum
By Fabián Borges
Tico Times Staff

Blasting Congress's decision to shoot down his proposal to create a Fine Arts Museum, Culture Minister Guido Saénz yesterday vowed he would change lawmakers' minds, or seek funding from private firms.

Congress, meanwhile, maintains that a new museum is an "unessential luxury" during a time when the country struggles to reduce the fiscal deficit.

Saénz defends the proposal, arguing that the country needs a place to display its art and that the museum would increase San José's tourism by making the city a more attractive and cosmopolitan place for foreigners to visit (TT, July 26).

The Fine Arts Museum, he noted, would be able to house the some 6,000 paintings currently in storage at the Costa Rican Art Museum's warehouse, as well as several historic 19th-century European theater curtains from the National Theater.

"The museum would preserve thousands of valuable works of art that, due to lack of space at the country's existing museums, aren't being displayed," he explained. "Some works of art, including the historic curtains, are deteriorating due to improper storage."

While Congress may not yet be behind the proposal, Saénz has found a strong advocate in President Abel Pacheco.

"Costa Rica has historic treasures which few people are aware of," Pacheco argued. "We have many beautiful things that need to preserved. The government is behind Don Guido and the museum 100%. For the time being, we might have to delay the museum, but I promise that the Fine Arts Museum will become a reality before my term is up."

The site chosen for the new museum is the old customs building, FERCORI, on the east side of San José.

The 2003 budget had set aside ¢450 million ($1.2 million) to begin waterproofing and renovating the building next January.

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Pacheco Criticized for Firing Justice Minister
By Arturo Gudiño
AFP

Opposition political parties and the National Association of Public and Private Employees (ANEP) criticized President Abel Pacheco yesterday for selling out to neoliberal interests by firing Justice Minister José Miguel Villalobos.

Villalobos, who had criticized the government for granting a concession to a U.S. company to build and manage a new prison complex, locked horns with Pacheco over whether the contract was unconstitutional.

Pacheco denied his decision to fire Villalobos was due to private-sector pressure, but the President's announcement sparked backlash from several sectors of society.

Albino Vargas, Secretary General of ANEP, said Pacecho's decision would will result in a "radical change in the strategy of union movements, which, until now, had been supporting the President."

Citizen Action Party faction leader Humberto Arce said Villalobos' termination is a "crack in the makeup of a government proclaiming to fight for transparency and against corruption."

Arce charged that the neoliberal sectors -- which tried to privatize the Costa Rican Electricity Company (ICE) during the last administration -- "have won the battle for the inner government circle."

"President Pacheco has given into the sector that combines politics with business," Arce said.

National Liberation Party deputy Luis Gerardo Villanueva attacked Pacheco for selling out the people who helped him get to the presidency.

"Pacheco is getting rid of his own people," he said. "On Tuesday Minister of Social Services Alvaro Trejos resigned, and today he fires his Justice Minister, who has supported him from day one."

The North American consortium Management Training Corporation was granted the polemic jail concession during the administration of Miguel Angel Rodríguez (1998-2002). The concession would cost the Costa Rican government $72 million over the next 20 years.

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C.R. Urges U.S. to Not Use Force against Iraq

Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar said yesterday he hopes the United States does feel the need to unilaterally use force against Iraq, and urged the UN Security Council to come to a solution that takes all positions into account.

"We hope that the U.S. does not decide to use force outside the context of the UN," Tovar said during an interview with the Foreign Press Association. "The Security Council needs to come to a decision conclusion that is satisfactory to all parties involved."

Meanwhile, students, environmentalists and other members of civil society will assemble in front of the Foreign Ministry this morning to voice their opposition to what they call "the U.S.' warlike intentions against Iraq."

The protest, organized by Costa Rican Environmental Preservation Commission (FECON), will feature performances by various artists, including Nicaraguan singer/songwriter Enrique Mejía Godoy.

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