Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, May 01,  2003

Chile Defeats C.R. 1-0
The Costa Rican National Soccer Team's stay in the Top 20 international teams may be short-lived, following the Sele's 1-0 loss last night to the 80th world-ranked Chilean National Team.
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Crackdown Irregular Pensions Paying Off
Labor Minister Ovidio Pacheco this week called the government's crackdown on illegal pensions a "great success" that will enable the government to save billions of colones this year.
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Animal Rights Activists Protest Zoo
Animal-rights activists protested outside Simón Bolívar Zoo in San José yesterday, demanding a change in the zoo's administration, which they say is overcrowded and poorly maintained.
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Tico Boxer to Get in Ring in Miami
As part of an effort to reinvigorate the local boxing scene on Miami Beach, Florida, Costa Rican Junior-Light Weight fighter Alex Brenes will step into the ring May 15 to take on Miami Beach police officer Luis Corps, in the cops' professional boxing debut.
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Rock Fest
Get your tickets today and don’t miss this concert featuring 45 bands. Concert on Sat., May 3, starting at 10 a.m. and finishing on at 12 midnight. The concert is at SportWorld, behind the National Trophy Factory. Tickets on sale at Burger King Restaurants, 220-1001.

I Horse National Fair
Horse lovers enjoy this exhibit of all breeds, a rodeo, and a concert by Calle 8, Los Huracanes, Los Aventureros, Los Navegantes and Mariachi Colonial. The fair starts at 10 a.m. opening today and closing on Sun., May 4, at Rancho Río Grande, 1.5 km. north and 500 m. west of El Quijongo, San Isidro del Guarco, Cartago. Info. 278-4241.

Flamenco de la Cava
Conciertos Internacionales invites everyone to enjoy the presentation of highlighted Flamenco dancer Eva Yerbabuena, winner of the best dancer award in the Bienal de Sevilla. Tonight at 8 p.m., at the National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3/5. Info: 223-1960 or 223-1086.

Chile Defeats C.R. 1-0
By Tim Rogers
trogers@ticotimes.net

The Costa Rican National Soccer Team's stay in the Top 20 international teams may be short-lived, following the Sele's 1-0 loss last night to the 80th world-ranked Chilean National Team.

The Ticos had three excellent scoring opportunities in the first half. But each attempt was negated by brilliant defensive play by the Chilean defense and keeper.

Chilean captain Pablo Contreras netted a beautiful goal in the 60th minute, off a bicycle shot from outside the 18.

Although the game was only a friendly match, the loss is particularly painful to the Ticos, who last week were raised in FIFA's international ranking to 18th in the world -- the first time the team has climbed inside the Top 20 (TT Daily Page, April 25).

Chile and Costa Rica will meet again June 11 in San José.

Crackdown Irregular Pensions Paying Off
By Fabián Borges
Tico Times Staff

Labor Minister Ovidio Pacheco this week called the government's crackdown on illegal pensions a "great success" that will enable the government to save billions of colones this year.

"Pension payments will cost the government $540 million this year," Pacheco explained. "Next to public employee salaries ($895 million) and foreign-debt interest payments ($815 million), pensions are the third largest government expenditure. The sum of these expenses is equivalent to 85% of tax revenues."

The government is making an effort to guarantee that Costa Ricans who have rightfully earned their pensions receive them in a just and prompt manner, he said.

"We are cracking down on illegal pensions (pensions paid out to people who don't exist, have died or are not entitled to receive them) and are attempting to close the legal loopholes that make pension fraud possible," Pacheco explained.

Shortly after taking office, President Abel Pacheco annulled a decree that had previously allowed people who had worked for only a few years in the public sector to collect partial pension payments.

Efforts also have been made to reduce corruption in the veterans' pension plan.

Although fewer than 500 people fought during the country's last armed conflict - the 1948 Civil War - the government currently pays more than 6,000 veteran pensions, Pacheco said.

Hundreds of these pensions are paid to people who were under 10 years old when the army was abolished in 1949, the minister said, adding that in 2002 alone, 750 new requests for veterans' pensions were made.

Thanks to improved confirmation of the validity of each claim, there have been only 13 requests so far this year. The crackdown on fake veterans' pensions has saved the government almost $257,000, he said.

The Ministry also investigated pensions paid to people over 100. The study revealed that only four of the 17 people receiving these pensions were still alive, Pacheco said. By not paying the bogus pensions, the government will save $128,000 this year.

Since last year, the Labor Ministry has investigated and cancelled hundreds of pensions to people who were not entitled to receive them. Many pension-fraud cases have gone to court and many more are being filed, he said.

President Pacheco has also submitted two bills before Congress - one that will eliminate future veterans' pensions and a second that will allow the taxation of luxury pensions paid to former top government officials.

The Labor Ministry is drafting a new manual that will clarify the requirements for receiving pensions. To keep better track of who is receiving pensions, the Ministry will transfer all of its records onto a computerized database this year, he said.

"By applying improved controls to guarantee the validity of pension claims, we will reduce the number of false claims without denying pensions to those who have rightfully earned them," he explained. "We're putting order to the pension department. From a moral and ethical perspective, we're targeting fraud and corruption. From an administrative perspective, we're improving efficiency."

To date, more than 500 injunctions have been filed before the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) by people who have not received the pensions to which they claim they are entitled.

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Animal Rights Activists Protest Zoo
By Isabel de Bertodano
Tico Times Staff

Animal-rights activists protested outside Simón Bolívar Zoo in San José yesterday, demanding a change in the zoo's administration, which they say is overcrowded and poorly maintained.

The United Association for the Rescue of Animals (AURA) timed the demonstration to coincide with a conference attended by representatives from the Environment Ministry and from zoos all over Latin America. At the entrance to the zoo conference attendees were bombarded with leaflets listing the 14 articles in the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights, which AURA says are violated by the zoo on six counts.

The principal complaint of AURA is that Fundazoo, the organization in charge of the zoo, makes large amounts of money from the entrance fee charged at the gate as well as extra funds from the government and sponsorship by private companies. However, according to AURA, the money does not translate into better conditions for the animals.

"The animals, in particular the big cats, show signs of stress and are clearly unhappy," said Luis Diego Marín, demonstration organizer. "This zoo is not run as a professional operation. There is corruption and the administration is like a dictatorship, they have nobody to answer to."

The Environment Ministry plans to reconsider the administration of the zoo next year, and AURA is campaigning against the renewal of the current contract.

However, Environment Minister Carlos Rodriguez told The Tico Times that the present administration had made much progress in its 10-year occupancy of the post.

"For the sake of transparency we will be reconsidering the organization of the zoo in an open, public way," he said. "But it is by no means certain that we will decide to change that organization. I am not satisfied with everything that has been done by this administration, but there have been considerable improvements in the running of the zoo."

AURA insists that the administration-selection process be made open to the public. In a meeting with President Abel Pacheco last month, AURA declared they were able to persuade Pacheco that the matter was urgent enough that he should speak with Rodríguez to ensure that various administration candidates are considered when the Fundazoo contract comes up for renewal next year.

Yolanda Matamoros, director of the Simón Bolívar Zoo, dismisses complaints by groups such as AURA.

"Lies, lies, lies," she said as she skimmed over the list of 15 accusations printed by AURA.

The charge that seemed to incense her most was that of misuse of money given to the zoo by the government.

"The government doesn't give us a single colón," she said in exasperation. "We are terribly short of money and there is nothing suspicious about the way we use the resources we do have. I have no time for these people and their complaints when I have so much work to do at this zoo."

However, the Environment Ministry's papers show that Fundazoo does receive government money and that the Ministry also pays the zoo's electricity, water and telephone bills.

Those in charge of the zoo were clearly made uncomfortable by the small group of demonstrators outside their gates. The police were called and a photographer came out of the zoo to take identity pictures of the protesters. Later in the morning, when The Tico Times tried to get into the zoo, entry was at first refused on the grounds of association with the demonstrators.

"I cannot stand to see the animals treated in this way," said another demonstrator, María Elena Fournier of the conservationist group Yiski. "Animals are such an important part of Costa Rica's national identity and we have to care for them properly. I hope that the pressure we are putting on the government will mean there are soon some changes in conditions here."

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Tico Boxer to Get in Ring in Miami
By Tim Rogers
trogers@ticotimes.net

As part of an effort to reinvigorate the local boxing scene on Miami Beach, Florida, Costa Rican Junior-Light Weight fighter Alex Brenes will step into the ring May 15 to take on Miami Beach police officer Luis Corps, in the cops' professional boxing debut.

Brenes, with an amateur record of 32-11 and a professional record of 2-3-2, has only been fight professionally for two-and-a-half years. Trainers, however, expect the young fighter to go far.

"I plan to be the best fighter to ever come out of Costa Rica," Brennes said. "When people look at the Costa Rican flag, I want them to know that we are a country that produces champions."

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