Pacheco Appoints 'Oil Task Force'
Expanding on the Costa Rican Oil Refinery's (RECOPE) National Emergency Plan, President Abel Pacheco yesterday appointed a special task force to coordinate government institutions under new emergency energy-saving measures that will be employed in case of a prolonged fuel shortage or continued hikes in international oil prices.
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Pacheco Will Not Go to Bat for Sportsbooks, Casinos
President Abel Pacheco said yesterday that he would not attempt to convince the Costa Rican Banking Association to allow Internet betting firms, known as "sportsbooks," and casinos to have bank accounts in the country.
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Ticos Nominate Chirac for Nobel Peace Prize
Lauding the French President for his tough defense of international law during the Iraq crisis, three prominent Costa Ricans nominated Jacques Chirac as a candidate for the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize.
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10+1 Costa Rican Film and Video Shows
Today at 3 p.m., Nosotras, at Spanish Cultural Center, Av. 13, Ca. 31. Info: 257-2919.

Belly Dance Show
Aya Sofya Restaurant invites everyone to enjoy this exotic dance at 9 p.m., the restaurant is on Av. Ctrl., Ca. 21. Info: 221-7185.

Whiffenpoofs in San José
Everyone is invited to enjoy the famous classic, jazz and popular "acappella" choir on Monday, March 17 at 7 p.m., at the Club Unión Restaurant, on Ca.2, Av. 1-3. Info: 257-1555.

Pacheco Appoints 'Oil Task Force'
By Fabián Borges
Tico Times Staff

PUMP PRICES GOING UP AFP

Expanding on the Costa Rican Oil Refinery's (RECOPE) National Emergency Plan, President Abel Pacheco yesterday appointed a special task force to coordinate government institutions under new emergency energy-saving measures that will be employed in case of a prolonged fuel shortage or continued hikes in international oil prices.

Last January, RECOPE unveiled its emergency plan, which calls for the limited circulation of vehicles and restricted consumption in the event international oil prices climb over $40 a barrel in response to war in Iraq (TT, Jan. 10).

Pacheco, however, said the task force will coordinate with all institutions to help devise a more comprehensive emergency plan.

Headed by Vice-President and Planning Minister Lineth Saborío, Finance Minister Jorge Walter Bolaños, Economic Advisor Ronulfo Jiménez, and Minister of the Presidency Rina Contreras, the task force will work consult regularly with RECOPE, the Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT), the Environment Ministry (MINAE), the Costa Rican Electricity and Telecom Institute (ICE), the Public Services Regulatory Authority (Aresep) and the Foreign Trade Ministry.

During yesterday's Cabinet meeting, Jiménez noted that the international price of oil has already increased by more than $10 a barrel.

Although the sharp price increase has not effected the country's oil imports during the first two months of the year, the elevated price is taking its toll on the economy and will likely raise to cost of living, he said.

"If oil prices remain at their current level ($37.80 per barrel) for the rest of the year, the country will have to spend an additional $150 million this to import the same amount of oil as it did last year (15.3 million barrels)," Jiménez explained.

"The effects of the price increase on a small economy like ours are dramatic," the economist stressed. "$150 million is the rough equivalent of 90% of this year's coffee export revenues, and 30% of the country's banana production.

Paying the additional cost of oil is likely to cost the country 10% of its international monetary reserves," he added.

As its first action, the task force yesterday commissioned Environment Minister Carlos Manuel Rodríguez to develop an energy-saving proposal for the entire public sector.

"Frugality and discipline must start at home," Bolaños explained. "We have to set an example on how to save energy, limit vehicle use and reduce the amount of gasoline used. Through the plan, energy consumption will be reduced and public funds will be saved."

Rodríguez is expected to submit his plan next week.

Pacheco Will Not Go to Bat for Sportsbooks, Casinos
By Fabián Borges
Tico Times Staff

President Abel Pacheco said yesterday that he would not attempt to convince the Costa Rican Banking Association to allow Internet betting firms, known as "sportsbooks," and casinos to have bank accounts in the country.

Eduardo Agame, president of the Costa Rican Casino Association, former Libertarian Congressman Otto Guevara and former Central Bank President Jorge Guardia met with President Abel Pacheco Monday to request the government's help in fighting a recent decision by several banks to close the accounts of several casinos and sportsbooks.

The gambling operations are complaining that several private banks, Banco Nacional and Banco de Costa Rica, suddenly closed their bank accounts.

Casino and sportsbook owners argue the government needs to protect the gaming sector's banking rights. They consider the measures taken by the banks unfair, and are requesting the same banking rights as other businesses that pay taxes.

Pacheco, however, made it clear that he would not get directly involved in the matter.

"I respect the banking sector's autonomy," he explained. "The government should not get involved."

Minister of the Presidency Rina Contreras said she plans to meet with the banking sector to hear its side of the story and possibly help the two sides reach an agreement.

"What worries the government the most is the number of college students who use their sportsbook salaries to pay their tuition and could be left without a job if these companies were suddenly forced to leave the country," Contreras added.