The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, June 5, 2003

SEA OF DISCONTENT: Tens of thousands of protesters marched on San José yesterday morning; ICE workers reached an agreement with the government last night.
TT/ Julio Laínez

Agreement Reached to End ICE Strike
The government and unions from the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) late Wednesday reached an agreement to end the 20-day-old strike at the state telecommunications and energy monopoly.
(Click for more)

C.A. Hopes to Integrate Fishing Regulations
In an effort to coordinate and improve regional fishing regulations, a delegation of lawmakers and fishing authorities from throughout Central America are meeting in Panama today for a two-day conference to study ways to synchronize and modernize fishing legislation.
(Click for more)

Pope Names New Bishop to Puntarenas
Pope John Paul II yesterday named priest Oscar Fernández bishop of Puntarenas, according to the Holy See press office.
(Click for more)

June 5

Places for Skateboarders
Visitors and residents take note of the following places where you can practice. Parque Metropolitano La Sabana, Parque de La Paz, Old School Ramp (Hatillo 2) San Pedro Streets, Downtown San Jose, San Miguel Banks. Guanacaste: Tamarindo bowl and snake run (Tamarindo), Tony's Miniramp (Playa Negra) Parque de Liberia. Other: Tilagua Skatepark (Arenal), Parque Vargas (Limon). For questions and more information on skating in Costa Rica contact Simón at Chepesent@hotmail.com

Kicks, Hits and Screams
Go this weekend to Coronado and experience the adrenaline flow of the Korean Karate Tournament, starting at 9 a.m. both days at the Municipal Gymnasium.

Literature, Fiction and Videos
The Science Fiction Festival continues today with the presentation of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" at 6 p.m. at Centro de Cine, Av. 9, Ca. 11. Info: 222-9329.

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Agreement Reached to End ICE Strike
By Brian Harris
bharris@ticotimes.net

AT LAST: ICE and government sign accord to end strike
photo Casa Presidencial

The government and unions from the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) late Wednesday reached an agreement to end the 20-day-old strike at the state telecommunications and energy monopoly.

The agreement came last night, after a massive morning march on the capital by ICE, teachers' unions, student activists and public-sector workers, protesting a wide variety of government policies and perceived failed promises by the administration of President Abel Pacheco.

Following a marathon bargaining session, the two sides agreed to end the strike in return for a July 14 deadline for the Central Bank to approve a $60 million international bond issue by ICE in 2004, the final sticking point in the dispute.

ICE unions had said they would remain on strike until the Central Bank approves the issue, but said they are "confident" the issue will be approved by the deadline. On May 23, the Central Bank approved a $40-million bond issue for this year, and said it was willing to study the $60 million issue at a later date.

The deal, brokered by Archbishop Hugo Barrantes, Ombudsman José Manuel Echandí and upstart Citizen Action Party founder and leader Otton Solís, does not guarantee that unions will get their way and see the issue approved. Although the Central Bank is nominally autonomous from the government, it had cast aside reservations over the $40 million bond issue at the behest of the government.

The agreement goes to the union membership for approval Thursday morning and ICE could be back to normal operations as soon as Friday.

During the strike, basic service was uninterrupted but all other services, including customer service and repairs, were halted. Pacheco saw three of his key ministers-- Presidency Minister Rina Contreras, Finance Minister Walter Bolaños and Minister of Education Astrid Fischel-resign. In past months, union leaders had focused criticism on all three.
Don't miss Friday's TT for complete coverage.

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C.A. Hopes to Integrate Fishing Regulations

Fisherman in the Osa Peninsula pulls up his net for the night.
TT/Tim Rogers

In an effort to coordinate and improve regional fishing regulations, a delegation of lawmakers and fishing authorities from throughout Central America are meeting in Panama today for a two-day conference to study ways to synchronize and modernize fishing legislation.

The activity, organized by the Central American Integration System (SICA), is an effort to develop a common Regional Fishing Policy based on the new Convention on the Rights of the Sea and the Central American Fishing Treaty, according to a SICA press release.

Most of the fishing regulations and legislation in Central American countries is dated, requiring new efforts to establish a regional plan, according to event organizers.

In the last three years, Guatemala and El Salvador have passed new fishing legislation, while each of the other Central American countries has similar bills in Congress, according to SICA.

"It is important to develop a common fishing policy for the region," says the press release. "The fishing sector represents one of Central America's best opportunities for integration, in part because the movement of the fish and the ocean doesn't distinguish between borders."

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Pope Names New Bishop to Puntarenas

Pope John Paul II yesterday named priest Oscar Fernández bishop of Puntarenas, according to the Holy See press office.

Fernández, 53, will leave his two-year post as rector of the Mayor Central Seminary in San José to assume his post as bishop.

Ordained in 1977, Fernández worked as the chaplain at San José's San Juan de Dios Hospital before being appointed rector in 2001.

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