The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, April 11, 2003

SAY CHEESE. The Presidents of the five Central American countries negotiating
the free-trade agreement with the U.S. (CAFTA) and U.S. President George
W. Bush pose for the camera after their meeting Thursday at the White House's
Oval Office. Bush has promised that CAFTA would help bring development and
an end to poverty for Central America. Read this week's Tico Times print
edition for more information.
Tico Times/AFP

Women's Contributions Recognized With Prizes
Clotilde Mayorga, an indigenous woman from Batsi, Talamanca, joins the ranks of nine other Costa Rican who comprise the "Gallery of Woman," formed by law in 1999 to recognize the achievements of diverse Costa Rican women.
(Click for more)

In keeping with Holy Week tradition, The Tico Times will be closed from April 11-April 20 and will not publish an edition Friday, April 18. We will be open for business April 21 at 8 a.m. and the Daily News page will resume Monday, April 21.
We hope all of our online readers have a very happy holiday.

April 11

Feminist Film Festival
Tonight, "Thelma and Louise," April 10; "Memorias de Antonia," April 24; "Holly Smoke," May 15; "Camila," May 29, all at 6 p.m., atCalderón Guardia Museum, Av. 11/13, Ca. 25, Barrio Escalante. Info: 222-6392.

National Symphony Concert
Don't miss it! Tonight at 8 p.m., National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3/5. Info: 221-5103.

Tropical Dancing Night
Yaguaré will be performing cumbia, salsa, merengue and more at Salón Monrío, Turrialba. Info: 253-7334.

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Pacheco: Firm on Position
To Support War in Iraq

President Abel Pacheco reaffirmed his support for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, calling it "a great accomplishment for humanity in favor of decency and against terrorism."

In an interview in Washington, D.C. conducted by the daily Al Día, Pacheco said he did not feel ashamed of fully backing the war effort, despite the fact that over two thirds of Costa Ricans are opposed it.

"Why would I regret backing a just cause alongside many close friends of Costa Rica including the other Central American countries (El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua), Spain and Denmark?" Pacheco asked reporters.

Pacheco announced that after making the hard but necessary decision to support the war, he spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, who thanked "Costa Rica for its moral support in favor of the cause of human rights."

Over the last few weeks, Pacheco has been blasted by the political opposition, members of his own party, social organizations, and former presidents for backing the war and including Costa Rica on the list of countries that support U.S. President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq without the approval of the United Nations Security Council. (TT Mar. 21, 28)

-AFP

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Costa Rican Foreign Ministry Asks
Cuba to Hand Over Opposition Leaders

The Costa Rican government Wednesday asked the Cuban government to free 79 dissidents sentenced earlier this week to strict prison sentences.

"Costa Rica respectfully and firmly calls on high Cuban authorities to free the detainees," Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar stated in an official document sent to Cuban officials. "Releasing the prisoners will contribute to improve the respect for human rights in Cuba."

Tovar added that "for Costa Rica, a country with a tradition of respect for human rights, the unjust persecution and imprisonment of political dissidents, including independent journalists and peaceful opposition leaders, is a source of great worry."

Cuban justice tribunals Wednesday sentenced the 79 dissidents on charges of conspiring against the government and the security of the Cuban state and collaborating with the United States. All were all found guilty and given prison sentences of between six and 28 years.

The dissidents were detained in March during what has been described as the worst round of government repression against opposition to take place in Cuba during the last decades. Christian Liberation Movement (MCL) activist Luis Enrique Ferrer received the strictest prison sentence.

-AFP

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Costa Rican NGOs Organize
'Lights-Out For Peace'

Several Costa Rican non-governmental organizations will organize "lights out for peace" Saturday from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. to advocate for peace and an immediate end to the war in Iraq.

The Friends for Peace Center and several other non-profit groups are urging all Costa Ricans to turn off their lights for an hour as a sign of disagreement with the U.S.-led war in Iraq and President Abel Pacheco's decision to "morally support" it.

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Women's Contributions Recognized With Prizes
By Amanda Schoenberg
Tico Times Staff

Clotilde Mayorga, an indigenous woman from Batsi, Talamanca, joins the ranks of nine other Costa Rican who comprise the "Gallery of Woman," formed by law in 1999 to recognize the achievements of diverse Costa Rican women.

Mayorga, the first indigenous woman among the nine winners, was awarded the honor because of her extensive community development work, fighting for equality between the sexes and participating in several indigenous groups.

Minister of Women's Affairs Esmeralda Britton announced Mayorga as the newest addition last month, as well as the winners of the annual Angela Acuña Braun prize, awarded to women who have made outstanding achievements in television, radio, and written media.

Ana Lucía Faerrón and Ligia Córdoba won the prize for television, for three of their documentaries, "Ansias de Amanecer," "Enamoradas de la Vida," and "Soñando Despiertas," on the "Palabra de Mujer" show on University of Costa Rica Channel 15. Their programs focused on women's diverse occupations, including women who fish, a group of artisans, and female coffee growers.

Honorable mentions went to Channel 15, AMNET and Cable América and to Evelyn Fachle for a series of interviews with prominent Costa Rican women, including writer Carmen Naranjo, actress Haydeé de Lev and Congresswoman Margarita Penón.

Ivannia Varela won the written press prize for her articles, "Nuestro Ciclo de Vida" and "Felicidad es una Niña," published in the Dominical magazine in the daily newspaper La Nación. The Revista Dominical received honorable mention, as did the newspaper Huella for its coverage of women in different walks of life and Marianela Cordero for her report, "Amas de Casa ¿Insatisfechas?," published in Perfil magazine.

According to prize-winner Faerrón, the Palabra de Mujer show has been "a dream made reality." She said it was difficult to obtain financing for the documentary series, because it was hard to convince people to put money toward a show made by and for women. However, once they finally found funding, they received several prizes, and were thrilled to receive the additional recognition of the Angela Acuña prize.

"We are trying to give women opportunities and open up spaces that don't have to do with domestic work, but include women's work in fishing, boat construction and a variety of other areas," said Faerrón.

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