The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, December 17, 2002

CONCERNED ABOUT TAX PLAN: Casino workers hold up protest signs for lawmakers to see. Story Below.
TT/ Julio Laínez

December 17

Dogs Athletics
"Dogs´ flyball", a fast and fun sport for athlete dogs.
Park del cafe.Pizza hut in Pavas,200 m north,200 m
west.

Every Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. Info: Jory 393-4904
Jory_cr@yahoo.com

Body/Spirit/Mind Healing
Individual sessions, teaching techniques ranging from healing pain and disease to subtle energy work and elimination of trauma, for self and others. Info: 282-7644.

Christmas Eve Buffet, Dec. 25 Brunch and New Year’s Eve Party
At 6 p.m., and 11:30 a.m., with live music, entertainment for Children by Santa Claus; Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., Villa Hermosa, Marriott Hotel, San Antonio de Belén. Info: 253-5518.

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Pacheco Inaugurates New
Cruise Ship Terminal in Limón

President Abel Pacheco yesterday trekked out to storm-battered Caribbean port town of Limón to inaugurate a new cruise ship terminal, which will allow two cruise ships to dock at the same time.

Pacheco, a native of Limón, also announced government investment in the Caribbean town topped $92.8 million for 2002, according to a Casa Presidencial press release. More than $18.6 million went into public infrastructure, and $2.5 million went into social spending, such as health, education, housing and citizen security, the President announced.

"The province of Limón is a priority and, given government's limited resources, we need to determine which projects are priorities," Pacheco said, adding that the government's Emergency Fiscal Plan, up for vote next Monday, will be "an important oxygen tank, but still not sufficient" to deal with the economic hardships facing the Caribbean.

Pacheco asked Limonenses to be patient, understanding and to work together to help solve the region's problems. He said the amount of government money budgeted for Limón in 2003 is greater than that invested this year, but added that the amount invested in the region will all depend on resources available next year.

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Casino Workers Protest Emergency Tax Plan

More than 150 of the nation's casino employees demonstrated yesterday at the Legislative Assembly, protesting an emergency fiscal package that would tax - among other things - slot machines and casino tables.

Workers fear the new year-long measure - approved in first-round congressional debate and scheduled for second vote Monday - will lead to massive layoffs, as casino owners try to cut costs.

After demonstrating outside the building, protesters filed into the Legislative Assembly and held signs against the glass separating the visitors' gallery from the congressional floor.

"We are all have families to support," said casino-table worker Sylvia Ocampos.

Proponents of the emergency tax plan claim fears of massive layoffs in the casino sector are "exaggerated."

Read Friday's TT print edition for full story.

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BCIE Donates $2.5 Million for CAFTA Negotiations

The Central American Bank of Economic Integration (known by the Spanish acronym BCIE) announced Friday it will grant $2.5 million to Central American governments to help prepare for the negotiation of the free-trade agreement with the United States (CAFTA).

Pablo Schneider, BCIE President, said each Central American government will receive $500,000 to go toward feasibility studies and funding technical teams preparing the preliminary negotiation work.

"Strengthening Central America's commercial relations is one of the BCIE's priorities, and the bank will continue to work on projects that increase the flow of capital to the region, support Central American exporters, help modernize infrastructure and support production," Schneider said.

The first round of CAFTA negotiations will take place in San José next month.

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