The Tico Times Online Daily Page

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

HELP NEEDED FOR AIDS PREVENTION: World Bank urges Central American nations to dedicate more efforts to HIV/AIDS prevention. Pictured: a young boy in Guatemala City holds a candle in memory of AIDS victims during World AIDS Day, Dec. 3.
AFP/TT

Taiwan Denies Campaign Donations
The government of Taiwan yesterday issued a statement denying any role in the campaign finance scandal surrounding President Abel Pacheco. The statement was issued through the Taiwanese Embassy in Costa Rica.
(Click for more)

Blame Game
Between ICE, Finance Ministry
The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) rejected accusations made yesterday by Finance Minister Alberto Dent, who said ICE was going to run up a larger deficit than forecasted, making it impossible for the government to achieve its goals of a 3.5% fiscal deficit.
(Click for more)

World Bank Urges Region to
Invest More in AIDS Prevention
The World Bank announced yesterday that Central America has four of the six countries in Latin America with the highest rate of HIV/AIDS, and said the region must invest more money in prevention to keep the epidemic from spiraling out of control.
(Click for more)

October 15

Concert Tonight
If you are a fan of 'experimental' music, or aren't sure what it is, don't miss the concert by Adrián Goizueta at 8 p.m. at the National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3/5. Info: 221-1329.

Karate Seminar
Register today to learn about the spirit of traditional karate. The seminar will be led by Sensei Nelson Carrión, 5 Dan black belt, Oct. 24-25 at the Hombu Dojo Budokan, 300 m. north of Veritas University on the road to Zapote. Info: 821-0120; call for schedules.

Child Musicians Play
Enjoy the talented performance of the Children's Symphony Orchestra at 7 p.m. at the Melico Salazar Theater, Av. 2, Ca. Ctrl./1. Info: 233-5372.

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Taiwan Denies Campaign Donations
By Tim Rogers
trogers@ticotimes.net

The government of Taiwan yesterday issued a statement denying any role in the campaign finance scandal surrounding President Abel Pacheco. The statement was issued through the Taiwanese Embassy in Costa Rica.

The declaration came in response to an Oct. 3 request by the legislative committee investigating campaign finance irregularities to the Taiwanese government, asking for clarification regarding allegations that the Asian government had made a $300,000 donation to Pacheco through the company Sunshine Co. Ltd (TT, Oct. 10).

The donation, which estranged Vice-President Luis Fishman claims came from the government of Taiwan, is one of two donations made to Pacheco's campaign from Taiwanese companies. Another donation for the sum of $200,000 was made to the campaign in the name of Pacific Co. Ltd. Both donations were deposited into offshore accounts in Panama.

Under Costa Rica's Electoral Code, it is illegal to accept foreign campaign donations.

The Taiwanese press reported the government's denial of Fishman's accusations Oct. 7. The Taiwan News quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Richard Shih saying: "We have no idea about any financing scandal in Costa Rica, and we definitely are not part of it. We believe this has something to do with their domestic power struggle."

The Taiwanese Embassy in Costa Rica, however, could not confirm the government's official position until yesterday.

The official response from the Taiwanese government denies any knowledge or involvement in Pacheco's campaign financing, and expresses concern that allegations linking them to a scandal could damage relations between the two countries.

"The government of the Republic of China (sic) is observing with concern the negative development of events in the recent months referring to donations," the statement reads, adding that allegations could jeopardize the economic cooperation between the two countries.

The diplomatic statement concludes by saying: "The government of the Republic of China sincerely hopes that [Costa Rica] deals with this issue with the prudence it deserves, and that relations [between the two countries] return to normal."

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Blame Game Between ICE, Finance Ministry

The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) rejected accusations made yesterday by Finance Minister Alberto Dent, who said ICE was going to run up a larger deficit than forecasted, making it impossible for the government to achieve its goals of a 3.5% fiscal deficit.

Dent charged that ICE was going to finish the year with a $146-million deficit, raising the country's fiscal deficit to 4.8%. The monopoly's deficit also could negatively effect interest rates and inflation, Dent warned.

The Finance Minister asked President Abel Pacheco to ask ICE for a financial report.

Pablo Cob, ICE's executive president, rejected Dent's allegations and insisted that ICE will most likely end the year with a $73-million surplus.
He blamed the fiscal deficit on Pacheco's economic team.

"We are not going to allow [Dent] to blame ICE for the country's situation," Cob said. "Numbers show that our situation is one of surplus."
-AFP

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World Bank Urges Region to
Invest More in AIDS Prevention

The World Bank announced yesterday that Central America has four of the six countries in Latin America with the highest rate of HIV/AIDS, and said the region must invest more money in prevention to keep the epidemic from spiraling out of control.

The four countries are: Belize, where 2% of all adults are infected with the virus, followed by Honduras (1.6%), Panama (1.5%) and Guatemala (1%). The other Central American countries have lower infection percentages ? El Salvador (.6%), Costa Rica (.6%) and Nicaragua (.2%) ? according to statistics quoted by the World Bank.

Projections indicate the HIV/AIDS rates in Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama could reach 2% by 2010.

The announcement was made in a report presented at the III Central American Congress on Sexually Transmitted Diseases, hosted by Panama.

"The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Central America is getting worse all the time. And although the epidemic is still concentrated in 'high-risk' populations, it is becoming more generalized in some countries," said Jane Armitage, director for the World Bank in Central America.

According to the World Bank, the "high-risk" populations in Central America are homosexual men, prostitutes, prisoners, the Garifuna (Afro-Caribbean population on Honduras' Caribbean coast), and, in the case of Honduras, street kids.

"Even with limited resources, countries can have a substantial impact on the epidemic, but the actual level of funding designated for HIV prevention in Central America is less than adequate," said Helen Saxenian, the World Bank's head social sector economist for Latin America and the Caribbean. "Countries need to invest at least $1 million annually in high-cost efficient prevention measures."

The report, which details the World Bank's Model of Fund Assignation Based on Cost-Efficiency, concludes that each Central American country needs to implement basic preventative measures such as offering better education and free condoms to at-risk populations, and making testing procedures more accessible.

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