The Tico Times Online Daily Page

THE SOLUTION TO SAN JOSE'S TRAFFIC PROBLEM? The French government has already drafted a master plan for the proposed high-speed electric train system from Cartago to Alajuela via San José. However, before it can be built, the Costa Rican government will need to find a way to pay for it.
Tico Times/AFP

San José Light Rail System on the Horizon
If Government Can Find Financing
Public Works and Transport Ministry Javier Chaves yesterday gave an update on recent developments in negotiations with the French government to build a high-speed electric train system from Cartago to Alajuela via San José.
(Click for more)

Costa Rica Proposes International
Ban on Human Cloning
Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar Monday announced Costa Rica would submit a proposal aimed at outlawing the cloning of human beings to the United Nations General Assembly.
(Click for more)

Improv Dinner Evening
Tonight 7-10 p.m., Club 96, at Los Anonos Road, Urbanización San Rafael, Escazú. Info: Lynne, 249-2158, lynnevent@yahoo.com

Cuban Film Festival
Check it out today and tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Centro de Cine, Av. 9, Ca. 11. Info: 222-9329.

San José Light Rail System on the Horizon
If Government Can Find Financing
By Fabián Borges
Tico Times Staff

Public Works and Transport Ministry Javier Chaves yesterday gave an update on recent developments in negotiations with the French government to build a high-speed electric train system from Cartago to Alajuela via San José.

Last year, the French government offered to design and build a light-rail system to help reduce San José's traffic congestion. The French offered to handle every aspect of the project and then pass the final bill on to the Costa Rican government, which would pay it gradually over the course of several years.

A master plan for the project that the Costa Rican government approves has already been drafted. The only remaining roadblock is securing the financing necessary to begin work the project.

"French engineers have drafted a very precise and detailed plan that shows what the light-rail system would be like," Chaves explained. "The French would handle every phase of the project and would give it to us fully functional."

"Over the last few weeks, we've suffered delays in reaching a financing agreement for the project," he added. "We consider the French government's current proposal to be too expensive for the country to pay."

According to the French, Costa Rica is medium-income country and therefore not eligible for more generous financing.

"We're currently negotiating with the Central American development Bank and other international financial institutions to see if they could help us to finance the light-rail system the French have offered us", Chaves said.

Next week, Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT) officials will meet with French government representatives to negotiate the proposal to have international financial institutions help finance the project.

European Parliament Debates Whether to Raise
Tariffs on Non-Traditional Exports Today

Brussels, Belgium (AFP) - The European Union's (UE) European Parliament will debate the proposal made earlier this year to raise import tariffs on several Costa Rican and Colombian non-traditional export products, including melons, pineapples, ferns, and ornamental flowers.

Costa Rica and Colombia are part of the European Union's (EU) "Generalized System of Preferences" (GSP) program - a unilateral concession that allows certain non-traditional exports to enter European markets tariff-free.

The products on each country's GSP list are evaluated regularly to see if they still meet the requirements for tax exemptions. If exports of a product reach a certain volume during three consecutive years, the product "graduates" from the program and becomes subject to tariffs. If the Council of Ministers ratifies Tuesday's decision, as of June 1, several Costa Rican non-traditional exports will face steep tariffs of more than 8%.

During the last month, Costa Rican diplomats, foreign trade officials, former presidents and exporters have lobbied the EU in hopes of bringing down the proposed measure.

On Feb. 11 the European Commission voted to begin applying the tariffs in June of this year. Costa Rica vowed to appeal the decision. The matter was then transferred to the European Commission, which will debate it one last time. At this time, it's almost certain that some tariffs will go into effect during the next couple of months. (TT Daily Page, Jan. 15, 23, 28; Feb. 10, 23; TT Jan. 31)

However, there is some dissent inside the parliament on when the tariffs should be imposed and how. Spain is proposing to limit the number of products that will be taxed and is suggesting that exports that serve as alternative crops to illegal drugs remain exempt.

According to diplomatic sources, Greece, which currently holds the temporary EU presidency, will attempt to delay the tariffs until November.

The European Commission remains firm on its original decision and has "no intention of changing its proposal", European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy told news wire services.

The European Parliament is expected to finish discussing the matter and reach an agreement on April 14 or 15. If they are unable reach an agreement before May 12, the European Commission's decision to impose the tariffs in June would be approved by default.