Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, April 04,  2003

RECOPE to Lower Oil Prices
Responding to the dramatic dip in international oil prices over the last two weeks, the Costa Rican Oil Refinery (RECOPE) yesterday announced it will ask the Public Services Regulation Authority (ARESEP) to lower gas prices at the pump.
(Click for more)

Weather Conditions Improve
After three days of being battered by strong winds and heavy rains in the Northern Zone and along the Caribbean coast, the National Emergency Commission yesterday announced that weather conditions are improving but that the "green alert" declared Tuesday will continue (TT Daily Page, April 2).
(Click for more)

U.S. Considers Eliminating Agro Subsidies
SAN SALVADOR (AFP) -- The U.S. trade delegation at the Central American trade talks announced yesterday that the United States could eliminate its agricultural subsidies -- at Central America's request -- in the eventual regional free-trade agreement (CAFTA).
(Click for more)

III Annual Charity Picnic
Lots of food, entertainment and fun, Organized by the Residents’ Association of Costa Rica, Sat., April 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., in Montelandia, San Rafael, Heredia. Info: 233-8068, 221-2053.

Argentinean Quintet Tiempo in Concert
Sat., April 5, 8 p.m., National Auditorium, Children’s Museum, end Ca. 4. Info: 222-7647.

"Inventario"
French TV reality show, winner of the Premio Ancora as best play and best secondary supporting actress, Sat., April 5, 8 p.m., National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3/5. Info: 221-5103.

RECOPE to Lower Oil Prices

Responding to the dramatic dip in international oil prices over the last two weeks, the Costa Rican Oil Refinery (RECOPE) yesterday announced it will ask the Public Services Regulation Authority (ARESEP) to lower gas prices at the pump.

Since March 20 international oil prices have fallen almost $8 per barrel, to close at slightly less than $30, according to RECOPE.

Reports from Iraq that "allied" forces prevented the massive oil-well fires that many expected in the south of the country, coupled with Saudi Arabia's output increase of 1.7 million barrels per day to compensate for Iraq's lack of production, have brought international prices down from the pre-war speculative high of $38.

In the last two weeks, international oil prices have risen and fallen on each new report from the battlefields of Iraq (TT, March 28). Barrel prices, however, have not climbed anywhere near $40 since mid March.

During the 1990 Gulf War, oil prices climbed to over $40 a barrel, prompting RECOPE this time to announce a National Emergency Plan that would be implemented in the event the war drove barrel prices over $40 (TT Jan. 10).

RECOPE President Litleton Bolton said he will request the pump-price adjustment today, but did not say by how much.

Weather Conditions Improve

After three days of being battered by strong winds and heavy rains in the Northern Zone and along the Caribbean coast, the National Emergency Commission yesterday announced that weather conditions are improving but that the "green alert" declared Tuesday will continue (TT Daily Page, April 2).

This week's extreme weather conditions -- caused by a cold front coming down from the United States -- damaged 160 homes and a schoolhouse in the southern Caribbean region near the indigenous reserve of Talamanca, according to the National Emergency Commission.

In southern region of Sixaola, 25 people were relocated to temporary shelters due to flooding. In nearby Talamanca, another 20 families were relocated to relatives' homes.

As weather conditions normalize, cleanup efforts are beginning.

The Ministry of Health reports that it has started to clean up some 300 wells contaminated during flooding in the southern Caribbean. The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, meanwhile, reportedly has started cleanup on the Bratsi Shiroles route 801, which runs north to south in the Talamanca Mountains.

The Braulio-Carrillo Highway (Rout 32), connecting San José to the Caribbean province of Limón, reportedly has been cleared after mudslides and flooding blocked passage earlier in the week.