The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, July 15, 2003

Preserving the peace: One person died and several were injured in a clash between police and squatters in a northern zone farm belonging to banana exporter Standard Fruit Company.
See related story.
Tico Times Photo / AFP

Cuban Nuclear Engineer
Receives Asylum in Costa Rica
President Abel Pacheco yesterday issued a decree accepting the territorial asylum request made last Friday by Yoandi Sánchez, the 24-year-old Cuban nuclear engineer who had come here to represent Cuba during a seminar on chemical and biological weapons.
(Click for more)

EU Promises to be Costa Rica's
'Friend and Trading Partner'
The seven members of the European Parliament's Commission on Relations with Central America and Mexico visiting the country this week congratulated Costa Rica for its "progressive views" on the International Human Rights Court and its efforts to lead regional integration.
(Click for more)

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July 15

Marine Camp
Participants will get to enjoy the beach, coral reefs, snorkeling, and hikes in Manuel Antonio National Park. The tour includes lodging (bring your own blankets and sleeping bags) in the park, meals, transportation, and expert instruction. Leaves Fri., July 18, 8 a.m., returns on Sun., July 20 in the evening. Info: 233-9074.

Panel Discussion on "What We Should Know about Osteoporosis"
Head panelist Dr. Xinia Ramírez and moderator Dr. Fernando Morales will discuss the most important facts about osteoporosis. 9-11 a.m. at the Dr. Raúl Blanco Cervantes Geriatrics and Gerontology auditorium, Av. 8, Ca. 16. Info: www.ins-cr.com

Jazz and Blues
Miriam Jarquín and Blues Latino will delight the audience tonight at 9:30 p.m., at Jazz Café, San Pedro. Info: 253-8933.

Cuban Nuclear Engineer
Receives Asylum in Costa Rica
By Fabián Borges
fborges@ticotimes.net

President Abel Pacheco yesterday issued a decree accepting the territorial asylum request made last Friday by Yoandi Sánchez, the 24-year-old Cuban nuclear engineer who had come here to represent Cuba during a seminar on chemical and biological weapons.

Up until last Friday, Sánchez had worked for the International Cooperation Department of the Cuban Science and Environment Ministry. He arrived in the country last week to take part in an international seminar on chemical weapons in San José. After the seminar, he walked to the Foreign Ministry and presented his asylum request directly to Foreign Vice-Minister Marco Vinicio Vargas.

In his request, Sánchez alleged that, in Cuba, citizens "lack even the most basic freedom of movement" and assured the island's regime is "repressive and totalitarian".

"I requested asylum as a result of the regime that rules Cuba," he wrote. "It is the only way I can be safe."

This trip was the first time Sánchez had left his home country. However, he admits he had made the decision to seek foreign asylum years ago.

He fears the asylum request will cause the Cuban government to take reprisals against his family.

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EU Promises to be Costa Rica's
'Friend and Trading Partner'
By Fabián Borges
fborges@ticotimes.net

The seven members of the European Parliament's Commission on Relations with Central America and Mexico visiting the country this week congratulated Costa Rica for its "progressive views" on the International Human Rights Court and its efforts to lead regional integration.

On behalf of the European Union (EU), the parliament members vowed to help Costa Rica and the other Central American countries by serving as both a "friend and a trading partner".

The parliament members arrived on Sunday to conduct a four-day visit to Costa Rica (TT Daily, July 10). On Monday, they met with President Abel Pacheco, former presidents Oscar Arias (1986-1990) and Rafael Angel Calderón (1990-1994) and the ambassadors to the EU's member states.

Today, they will meet with representatives of the country's banana exporters and will tour pineapple, melon and flower plantations - non-traditional exports as of June 1 required to pay tariffs to enter the EU market. (TT Daily Page, Jan. 15, 23, 28; Feb. 10, 23; Apr. 9; May 10; TT Jan. 31)

"The purpose of this trip was to get to know and understand the country's real situation," Raimón Ohiols, President of the Commission told reporters. "We are here to reinforce the good relations the EU and Costa Rica share and to continue to develop our friendship.

"There are two important beliefs we share," he added. "We are aware that we live in an interdependent world and understand neighboring countries must strive for some form of regional integration. Old-style multilateral relations between countries must be replaced with a new form of interaction between integrated regions."

The parliament members agreed the region's future development will greatly depend on new trade opportunities. They pronounced themselves firmly in favor of speeding up the pace of trade negotiations between the EU and Central America.

"We are in favor of increased dialogue between the EU and Central America," Parliament Vice-President and Commission member Alfonso Puertas explained. "We don't want to force regional integration but are very much in favor of stimulating it. We want to be your friends and trading partners."

The parliament members will leave for Guatemala tomorrow.

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One Dead and Several Wounded in Clashes
Between Squatters and Police in Northern Zone

One person died and several were wounded yesterday during a violent confrontation between police and a group of squatters in a farm belonging to multinational banana exporter Standard Fruit Company in the northern zone, the Security Ministry reported.

The clash took place near El Bambuzal farm in Río Frió de Sarpiquí, where Thursday police had expelled several families that had illegally occupied the banana company's land.

According to Security Minister Rogelio Ramos, a police squad sent Monday to patrol the area was violently attacked by 30 squatters. Police were forced to defend themselves, and one person died and several were injured.

Two police officers were among those injured, he said.

-AFP

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