Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, February 24,  2003

¡SI SE PUDO! Ticos win the UNCAF Cup. AFP/TT

Church Outraged Over
9-Year-Old's Abortion
MANAGUA -- The Catholic church of Nicaragua announced Saturday that it has excommunicated the parents, doctors and the female activists involved in a Thursday night abortion performed on 9-year-old rape victim "Rosa," whose health was reportedly in deteriorating condition due to a pregnancy her young body could not support.
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Ticos Take the Trophy
Proving that it is still the biggest dog on the block, the Selecion Nacional (Sele) defeated Panama's National Soccer Team 1-0 yesterday afternoon to win the Central American Nations' Cup (UNCAF) and advance along with Guatemala and El Salvador to the regional Gold Cup tournament next July in the United States.
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La Nación's Director Resigns
After 21 years working as director of Costa Rican daily La Nación, Eduardo Ulibarri announced last Friday that he will resign his post at the end of March.
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II Central American Workshop on Solar Photo Voltaic and Solar Cooking

Don’t miss it! Mon.-Fri., Feb. 24-28 at 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the National University, Heredia. Info: 277-3482, 277-3345.

Conference Two Writers and a Trip
Spanish writers Rosa Regás and Pedro Molina Tembury, at 7 p.m., at the Spanish Cultural Center, Av.13, Ca. 31. Info: 257-7554.

Italian Art in C.R.
This is the last week to see the Macchiaioli Italian art at the National Museum, Ca. 15, Av. Ctrl./2. Info: 257-1433.

Jazz Festival
Featuring an art show, karaoke, folklore dance shows, theater, magic shows during the day at Hotel California. Also, an Art Auction, at 6 p.m. with closing ceremony, music, wine, dance, at Hotel California in Manuel Antonio, Quepos. Info: 777-3634, info@quepolandia.com

Church Outraged Over
9-Year-Old's Abortion
By Tim Rogers
And AFP wire reports

Young Nicaraguan girl demonstrates in favor of "Rosa's" right to an abortion. AFP/TT

MANAGUA -- The Catholic church of Nicaragua announced Saturday that it has excommunicated the parents, doctors and the female activists involved in a Thursday night abortion performed on 9-year-old rape victim "Rosa," whose health was reportedly in deteriorating condition due to a pregnancy her young body could not support.

The Nicaraguan government, meanwhile, announced it is opening an investigation of the private clinic that conducted the delicate and controversial procedure, as well as the leaders of the activist group Women Against Violence, which represented the parents and the girl.

"We are investigating the circumstances under which the abortion was conducted, to see if it was in violation of the law," said Arturo Harding, Nicaragua's Minister of the Interior.

"Rosa" -- a name invented by doctors to protect the identity of the young girl -- was left pregnant after being raped by a Costa Rican campesino shortly before her 9th birthday (TT Daily Page, Jan. 3, 10, 17; Feb. 10, 12, 17, 19). A 20-year-old rape suspect was arrested last week in the Caribbean-slope town of Turrialba and is undergoing DNA tests to determine his guilt or innocence.

After being misinformed by Tico doctors that their daughter could not have an abortion in Costa Rica, Rosa's parents took her back to Nicaragua Feb. 13 (TT, Feb. 21).

The Nicaraguan Health Ministry formed a special commission to study the case and rule whether the Rosa would be eligible to have an abortion under Nicaraguan law, which only allows the procedure in instances when the mother's life is in danger.

But doctors and activists apparently decided that Rosa could not wait for the government to make its decision and went ahead with the abortion on Thursday night.

Juanita Jiménez, lawyer for Women Against Violence, told The Tico Times hours before the procedure that Rosa's health was in "critic" condition.

However, Health Minister Lucía Salvo disagreed, insisting that the young girl was in "stable condition" when she checked out of the government hospital early last week and was moved to the private clinic in Managua.

The Catholic church, meanwhile, strongly condemned the "Nicaraguan feminists" for manipulating the illiterate campesino parents of Rosa, and announced that everyone involved -- including the family of the victim -- is excommunicated from the church.

"We are calling for the defense of life," demanded Managua's Archbishop Jorge Solórzano. "The government and those responsible need to be firm. We will see if government leaders are in favor of life or death."

As Rosa recuperates in the private clinic this week, Jiménez claims her group is ready for anything the Catholic church wants to throw at them.

Ticos Take the Trophy
By Tim Rogers
trogers@ticotimes.net  

 

Sele Captain Luis Marín hoists the Cup. AFP/TT

Proving that it is still the biggest dog on the block, the Selecion Nacional (Sele) defeated Panama's National Soccer Team 1-0 yesterday afternoon to win the Central American Nations' Cup (UNCAF) and advance along with Guatemala and El Salvador to the regional Gold Cup tournament next July in the United States.

Under the helm U.S.-born coach Steve Sampson, the Ticos finished the tournament by defeating El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua while drawing against Guatemala 1-1.

The Sele did not provide much in terms of offensive fireworks -- only managing five goals in as many games. Sampson told reporters after the game that the team needs to work on converting more opportunities in front of the net into goals.

In the Sele's defense however, the opposition teams stacked their backfields against Costa Rica; Nicaragua played the Ticos with an unorthodox nine defenders, while Panama flooded its backfield with seven of its 10 field players.

Costa Rica's defense, on the other hand, managed to hold opposing teams to only one goal during the tournament, despite several shaky performances.

Defending UNCAF champions Guatemala finished second after scoring eight goals in three wins and one tie and one loss. With a third-place finish, El Salvador also managed to advance to the Gold Cup by scoring six goals in three wins and two loses.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the tournament was Honduras (one win, three losses, one tie), which continued in its downward spiral after failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Costa Rica has now won the biannual UNCAF Cup four times since it began in 1991. The victorious Tricolor will return to Costa Rica this morning.