Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, May 28, 2004
 SAFE Landing: Medics from the Social Security System (Caja) were flown into the remote mountains of Talamanca this week to provide medical attention to indigenous residents there. Photo courtesy of the Public Security Ministry |
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CAFTA “Dead on Arrival”
Say Trade Pact’s Opponents
As the top trade officials of Central America and the United States sign the official texts of the Central American Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA) today in Washington D.C., a recent poll shows U.S. citizens are more or less evenly divided over the issue, while representatives of several opposition U.S. trade unions and advocacy groups warn the trade pact is “dead on arrival.”
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Universities Walk to
Improve Quality of Life
Universities are making a call to nearly every walk of society – from heads of households to people with handicaps to public and private workers – to join in a march to improve the quality of life, Sunday at 9 a.m. in San José.
(Click for more)
EXPOTUR Participants
Deem Event a Success
The 20th annual Tourism Negotiation Exchange (EXPOTUR) concluded yesterday with more than 500 participants apparently satisfied with the country’s largest industry trade show.
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Caja Medical Personnel
Aid Talamanca Indigenous
Medical personnel from the Costa Rican Social Security System (Caja) on Wednesday traveled via helicopter to administer aid to indigenous people living in the mountains of Talamanca, in the southeast area of the country.
(Click for more)
Taiwanese Fair Features
Kung-fu, Bonsai Trees
While Taiwan is in the news spotlight for controversial payments to the Foreign Ministry, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) is holding a two-day Taiwanese culinary extravaganza.
(Click for more)
May 28
Argentine Trova Singer Facundo Cabral in Concert
Performing songs of his new production “Facundo Cabral and The Latest News,” Friday and Saturday at the Melico Salazar Theater in San José, 223-1086, 223-1960.
“Talking With”
Last weekend of the English-language show performed by the Little Theater Group at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Blanche Brown Theatre in Bello Horizonte, Escazú. For reservations call 355-1623.
Honoring George Harrison
Fans of the Beatles can enjoy a presentation of the music of the famous singer tonight at 6 p.m. at the Children’s Museum. The audience will see an exhibit of his concert in New York in 1971, and Revolution Band will perform the best of his repertoire. Tickets are ¢1,000. Info: 258-4929, ext. 122.
CAFTA “Dead on Arrival”
Say Trade Pact’s Opponents
As the top trade officials of Central America and the United States sign the official texts of the Central American Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA) today in Washington D.C., a recent poll shows U.S. citizens are more or less evenly divided over the issue, while representatives of several opposition U.S. trade unions and advocacy groups warn the trade pact is “dead on arrival.”
At press time, Costa Rican Foreign Trade Minister Alberto Trejos, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and the trade ministers of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua were scheduled to officially sign CAFTA at 10 a.m. today at the Organization of American States (OAS) building in Washington.
“The trade ministers can sign CAFTA, but it will be dead on arrival in Congress,” said Larry Weiss, executive director of Citizens Trade Campaign. “Coupled with the stalled WTO [World Trade Organization] and FTAA [Free-Trade of the Americas] talks, it is one more indication that the Bush Administration’s misguided trade policy is in a state of collapse.”
The survey, conducted by the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) and Knowledge Networks, concluded there was significant support for CAFTA, even though the statistical results show those polled are nearly evenly divided on the issue, taking in to account the margin of error (plus or minus 2.3 to 4 percentage points, depending on the question).
The findings were part of a large study entitled “Americans on Globalization, Trade and Farm Subsidies.” Those polled were told “The United States and some countries of Central America have negotiated a treaty called the Central American Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA). This is similar to what the U.S. now has with Mexico and Canada in NAFTA [North American Free-Trade Agreement]”. Nearly half (49%) said they were in favor, while 42% said they were opposed, according to the survey.
Democrats were found to be more likely to support CAFTA than Republicans. Among Democrats, 53% favored it and 41% opposed it. Among Republicans, 48% supported CAFTA, compared to 45% who opposed it. Among independents, CAFTA is supported by 51% and opposed by 39%, according to the survey.
While no regional differences were evident, support in the crucial electoral swing states – Florida, Ohio and other states that could vote either Democratic or Republican during the November presidential election – was lower, according to the survey.
Support for CAFTA was found to be closely linked to feelings about the effects of globalization on job security, according to the survey.
In related news, trade-advocacy group Citizen Trade Campaign yesterday issued a statement forecasting the eventual demise of CAFTA.
“Lawmakers in Washington have increasingly criticized CAFTA over a variety concerns, including its lack of enforceable labor protections, the potential negative impact the agreement could have on the environment, and CAFTA's replication of the notorious investor to state cases that have allowed corporations to sue governments under NAFTA,” the statement read.
Congress is not expected to vote on CAFTA this year. Widespread opposition to the harmful “off-shoring” of jobs has also contributed to sentiments against the agreement, according to Citizen Trade Campaign.
“NAFTA has created serious environmental problems – rather than alleviating them – accelerating the destruction of natural resources and opening the way for corporations to challenge environmental and health standards in unaccountable international tribunals,” said Brent Blackwelder, president of
Friends of the Earth. “Trade ministers ought to be fixing the outrages in NAFTA instead of pushing for more of the same in agreements like CAFTA.”
Labor unions have also spoken out against liberalizing trade between Central America and the United States.
“CAFTA is a step backward on protecting labor rights in trade agreements – it is clear that there will be no effective enforcement in the agreement as it currently stands,” said Bill Klinefelter, Legislative and Political Director of the United Steelworkers of America. “The Administration’s backsliding on its duty to workers in the U.S. and abroad has led to tremendous opposition to this agreement in Congress, and will ultimately derail it.”
Universities Walk to
Improve Quality of Life
Universities are making a call to nearly every walk of society – from heads of households to people with handicaps to public and private workers – to join in a march to improve the quality of life, Sunday at 9 a.m. in San José.
The walk, which will begin in front of the Edificio Colón on the west end of Paseo Colón and end in front of the Pali on the same street, will kick off an open invitation for applications for the award, “Contributions for the Improvement of the Quality of Life 2004.”
Folk singers and other artists will provide entertainment along Paseo Colón, which will be closed to traffic during the walk.
The event is being organized by the Ombudsman’s Office, University of Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional, Technology Institute of Costa Rica, State University at a Distance (UNED) and the National Rectors Council, with the help of the government of Finland and the Municipality of San José.
The goal of the walk is to inform organizations about the award, which will recognize initiatives to improve living conditions for society as a whole, a group traditionally excluded from the benefits of development or in a particular geographic area.
The award has five different categories, based on type of organization. For more info call 258-8585 ext. 1294 or visit a branch of UNED. Applications for the award will be accepted until June 30 at Ombudsman’s offices throughout the country.
EXPOTUR Participants
Deem Event a Success
By Fabián Borges
fborges@ticotimes.net
The 20th annual Tourism Negotiation Exchange (EXPOTUR) concluded yesterday with more than 500 participants apparently satisfied with the country’s largest industry trade show.
More than 150 different companies offering lodging ranging from five-star luxury resorts, such as the new Four Seasons Hotel, to holistic resorts such as Samasati Nature Retreat were present. Major international chains such as Barceló, Marriott and Radisson also had stands.
International airlines such as American, Mexicana and United were present along with local carriers Nature Air and Sansa. All the major rental car companies were there, side by side with companies that provide bus tours across Central America. Various golf tours were present, as were adventure tourism providers offering white-water rafting and canopy tours. Café Britt and Doka Estate had stands with information of their coffee tours. Several tourism magazines had stands, as did The Tico Times weekly newspaper.
Several tourism companies from Arenal and La Fortuna in the Northern Zone banded together to set up a stand highlighting the natural wonders of their region.
Tourism companies in the northwestern province of Guanacaste had a large presence. The Liberian Chamber of Tourism (CALITUR) had a colorful stand.
Members of the Sarapiquí Chamber of Tourism (CATUSA) pitched in to rent a large stand to promote the country’s north central region.
“Our goal is to make people get to know the region,” explained Luis Alberto Sánchez of CATUSA. “More than anything we want people, national and international, to know more about us. People think we are located far away, but we are only an hour and 20 minutes from San José. It’s a very pretty zone with many things to offer.”
A 16-member Nicaraguan delegation also was present.
“Mainly we hope to strengthen the contacts we have established at previous EXPOTURs,” explained Regina Hurtado of the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute. “We are showcasing new products we are offering. We are promoting the coffee route. We plan to develop the northern part of the country, which has exuberant vegetation and is home to several coffee haciendas.”
Caja Medical Personnel
Aid Talamanca Indigenous
Medical personnel from the Costa Rican Social Security System (Caja) on Wednesday traveled via helicopter to administer aid to indigenous people living in the mountains of Talamanca, in the southeast area of the country.
Three medics and four technical assistants spent nine hours in a helicopter, from the aerial division of the Public Security Ministry, landing at various sites in the remote mountainous areas known as Piedra Meza and Guayabal, according to ministry officials.
Though officials did not specify all of medical problems they encountered, they said many of those who received attention had serious respiratory problems. The other medical problems, they said, were “diverse” and “required immediate attention.”
Children comprised an “important number” of those attended, according to the pilot of the aircraft.
Taiwanese Fair Features
Kung-fu, Bonsai Trees
While Taiwan is in the news spotlight for controversial payments to the Foreign Ministry, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) is holding a two-day Taiwanese culinary extravaganza.
The Taiwanese Culinary Delicacies Fair will display East Asian traditions in San José. Events include dances, kung-fu fights, care of bonsai trees, an exhibition of traditional dress, orchids for sale, a stone sculpture exhibition, and workshops in calligraphy and origami.
Also, those interested can mark their calendars for Saturday, June 19, for a Dragon Boat race at the Balneario Ojo de Agua in San Antonio de Belén. For information call the Taiwanese Veterans Association at 281-0604.
This weekend’s event, the Culinary Fair, will benefit the Dr. Raúl Blanco Cervantes Hospital, a medical center that is more than 30 years old and in need of repair on the south wing, used for geriatric care.
The festivities begin in the parking lot behind the Más x Menos supermarket in Sabana tomorrow and Sunday.
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Wednesday October 26, 2005