Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, September 17,  2003

Education Minister Calls for
Improved Public Education
Claiming that Costa Rica's public education system has lost its competitiveness, Education Minister Manuel Antonio Bolaños yesterday announced a new initiative to improve the quality of education, eliminate discrepancies in rural and city schooling, and inject morals back into the classroom.
(Click for more)

September 17

Learn Sign Language
The University of Costa Rica invites everyone to register for this class, held Sept. 22-Nov. 28. Register today 1-4 p.m. or tomorrow 8a.m.-noon. For further information call 207-4160, 253-5653.

Famous Film Music at Museum
Don’t miss this concert by the National Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m., at the auditorium of the Children’s Museum, Av. 9, Ca. 4. Info: 222-7647, 258-4929, ext. 121.

International Guitar Festival
A must-attend event! opening tonight with the best guitar concerts today-Fri., Sept. 17-19, 8 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 20, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 21, 8 p.m., National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3/5, 236-1944, 297-1718.

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Strikers in Limón Clash with Police, 13 Injured
By Tim Rogers
trogers@ticotimes.net

At least 13 people were injured and 10 arrested yesterday as police clashed with striking port workers in the Caribbean province of Limón, authorities reported.

The confrontation occurred shortly before noon, when workers of the Federation of Limonense Workers (FETRAL) attempted to block the Moín Port, the country's largest, as part of yesterday's strike to protest the government's alleged failure to comply with promises to inject funds into Limón. Police responded to the port blockade by firing tear gas at the protestors, according to the Red Cross.

FETRAL is a 4,000-member union made up of workers of the Atlantic Port Authority (JAPDEVA), the Costa Rican Oil Refinery (RECOPE), the Municipality of Limón, the Agricultural Chamber and public hospital employees.

The strikers are demanding that the administration of President Abel Pacheco comply with a list of promises to help create jobs and improve infrastructure in Limón, as well as compensate JAPDEVA $7.5 million for lost income due to a lowering of port tariffs last year (TT Daily Page, Sept. 16).

The Pacheco Administration insists it has complied with all the promises made last May, and stresses that it has nothing to do with tariff rates, which are decided by the independent Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP).

Pacheco yesterday blamed the strike leaders for hurting the economic interests of Limón, and called on all striking workers to return to their jobs. He emphasized that the strike is illegal and no one who participates in the work stoppage will be compensated for the strike, as occurred when the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) went on strike last June.

Claiming the strike is "unjust and unnecessary," the government insisted yesterday the strike will not affect transportation, imports, exports and fuel supplies. However, not everyone appeared confident that fuel supplies would continue. A rush on the pumps yesterday in San José and the surrounding municipalities resulted in lines of motorists trying to fill up while they could.

To ensure a continued oil supply, Pacheco yesterday asked Colombian President Alvaro Uribe for technical support to keep the pumps running. Uribe agreed to send 10 Colombian technicians to Costa Rica to manage the RECOPE plant in Limón.

Strike leader Ronald Esna, the general coordinator of FETRAL, called the Colombian aid a "formal invasion of foreigners invited by the government."

Esna told The Tico Times yesterday that the Colombian takeover of RECOPE pumps will only cause more problems.

The strike is expected to continue indefinitely, with no apparent progress made by either side yesterday.