Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, January 09,  2003

TRADE TALK: CAFTA talks begin in U.S. Photo/AFP

CAFTA Talks Begin in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AFP) - The United States and five Central American nations yesterday began the first round of free-trade talks aimed at eliminating tariffs and other barriers to trade in goods, agriculture, services, and investment.
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Pacheco Defends C.R.'s
Representation at Lula Inauguration
By Amanda Schoenberg
The aftereffects of the inauguration of Luiz Inácio da Silva "Lula" Jan. 1 as President of the largest country in Latin America and the fourth largest democracy in the world continue to ripple throughout Costa Rica this week.
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C.R. Could become a 'Laundromat,'
Union Leader Warns
Albino Vargas, Secretary General of the National Association of Public and Private Employees, warned this week that the growing number of casinos and Internet-gambling firms (sportsbooks) in Costa Rica could turn the county into a massive money-laundering destination.
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Minnesota Music in Monteverde
The Choir of the University of Minnesota, in Duluthis performing tomorrow at the Santa Elena Church in Monteverde, at 6 p.m. Concert is free. Info: 207-7500.

Karate Classes
Taught by sensei Alex Vargas, 4 dan black belt. Completely professional lessons for children, teens and adults. Mon., Wed., Fri., 5-6 p.m., 6:30-8 p.m.; Tues. and Thurs., 6-7, 7:30-9 p.m., at the Kodo Kai Dojo (school), Mercedes Norte, Heredia. Info: 207-7500.

My Animal Collection
Is the craft workshop offered by the Gold Museum. Children 6-8 work with waste materials to make animal sculptures. Jan. 13-17, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Hurry and register today! underneath Plaza de la Cultura. Info: 243-4202, 243-4208.

CAFTA Talks Begin in Washington, D.C.

Zoellick (L) and C.R. Trade Minister Trejos

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AFP) - The United States and five Central American nations yesterday began the first round of free-trade talks aimed at eliminating tariffs and other barriers to trade in goods, agriculture, services, and investment.

The announcement was made by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and ministers from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Working-level trade negotiations on the Central American Free Trade Agreement -- known as CAFTA -- will begin Jan. 27 in Costa Rica, with a goal of completing negotiations by December.

"[The trade agreement] will give Americans better access to affordable goods and promote U.S. exports and jobs, even as it advances Central America's prospects for development," said Zoellick. "[CAFTA] will reinforce free-market reforms in the region; the growth stimulated by trade and the openness of an agreement will help deepen democracy, the rule of law, and sustainable development."

The free-trade negotiations will include nine rounds of talks planned in 2003.

According to Zoellick's office, U.S. exports to the Central American region have grown 42% since 1996 and totaled $9 billion in 2001, with imports at $11 billion.

The United States has stepped up free-trade talks in recent months under new congressional authority, and has launched free-trade talks with Australia and completed negotiations with Chile.

The U.S. hopes to establish a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) with 34 nations of North and South America by 2005. Only Cuba would be excluded from the FTAA trade zone.

Pacheco Defends C.R.'s
Representation at Lula Inauguration
By Amanda Schoenberg
aschoenberg@ticotimes.net

The aftereffects of the inauguration of Luiz Inácio da Silva "Lula" Jan. 1 as President of the largest country in Latin America and the fourth largest democracy in the world continue to ripple throughout Costa Rica this week.

President Abel Pacheco accused the daily La Nación Tuesday of "machismo" and "racial discrimination" for the paper's criticism of his decision to send Minister of Women's Affairs Esmeralda Britton to Brazil for the inauguration.

A Jan. 3 editorial in La Nación questioned the choice of Britton to represent Costa Rica, calling her a "minister without a portfolio" known for her business acumen and defense of women's rights, but without a direct relationship with the new "era of Lula."

Nine heads of state (including Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez), five vice-presidents, several chancellors and the prince of Asturias, Spain attended the inauguration in Brazil.

According to Pacheco, Lula's election signals "hope for his great country and hope for a suffering Latin America."

Pacheco said he was unable to attend the event and that Britton's presence revealed Costa Rica's multi-ethnic population and determination to fight for women's rights. Pacheco explained his decision in a letter sent Tuesday to Lula.

"With her [representation], Costa Rica told the world that it believes in the cause of women and their incorporation into a society without violation nor humiliation," said Pacheco.

Minister Britton described a whirlwind of meetings and said she was able to meet with President Lula for only three minutes.

She mentioned that the inauguration was not an opportunity to discuss international business at length, but said she was impressed with the new president's determination to combat poverty, hunger and corruption, and to increase relations with Central America.

C.R. Could become a 'Laundromat,'
Union Leader Warns

Albino Vargas, Secretary General of the National Association of Public and Private Employees, warned this week that the growing number of casinos and Internet-gambling firms (sportsbooks) in Costa Rica could turn the county into a massive money-laundering destination.

Vargas, leader of Costa Rica's largest union, addressed his concerns outside San José's Camino Real Hotel, where more than 100 casino and sportsbook bigwigs met this week to discuss non-credit card based forms of payment.

"I don't think Costa Ricans realize how much this country has become a form of fiscal paradise for all types of lucrative activities, both legal and illegal," Vargas said. "Costa Rica is [hosting] businesses that, by their nature, are very susceptible to receiving illegal money, such as that of drug traffickers."

More that 120 sportsbooks operate in Costa Rica, moving an estimated $4 billion annually, according to this week's casino/sportsbook "summit" organizer, Marc Lesnisck.
-AFP
Read Friday's TT print edition for full coverage of Sportsbook "summit"