TSE Magistrates
Given Police Protection

Two magistrates from Costa Rica's Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) are under police protection after receiving death threats and harassment from unknown sources.

Public Security Minister Rogelio Ramos said magistrates Olga Nidia Fallas and Gretel Ortiz will be receiving protection for several weeks, the daily La Nación reported.

Both magistrates reportedly opposed contracts worth millions of dollars between the TSE and the Costa Rican branch of Unisys, a U.S. computing firm.

Fallas told the press the problems began in late 2004 after she opposed TSE president Oscar Fonseca and magistrate Luis Antonio Sobrado, by not allowing the direct purchase of Unisys equipment to process election information in the February 2006 general elections, at a cost of $1.5 million.

The magistrate decided against the sale based on the fact that other equipment bought from the company in 1998 for $5.5 million had had consistent breakdowns since the beginning, to the point that it is now useless, according to TSE authorities.

Also, the Electoral Inspection (an internal control organ of the TSE), last year alleged that Unisys had sold used equipment to the institution for around $300,000, presenting it as new.

Fallas said that a few weeks ago, unidentified persons entered the garage of her house in an apparent act of intimidation, because nothing was stolen.

Meanwhile, Ortiz told a legislative committee that she had received anonymous phone calls threatening her, saying “You're going to pay for what you've done,” and that neighbors have seen suspicious cars around her house.

Ortiz said her problems began in August 2004, after she was designated by the Supreme Court of Justice to take part in a tribunal that ordered sanctions against Sobrado and Fonseca.

Minister Ramos told the press it's not his responsibility to investigate why the magistrates have asked for protection, although he explained that the protective measures will be reviewed every so often to determine whether they are still necessary.

Japan Seeks New Stage
Of Cooperation with Region

San Salvador (EFE) – Central American Presidents and the Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, will meet next August in Tokyo to revise cooperation agreements between their countries, which will mark the beginning of a new stage in their relations.

Japanese Ambassador to El Salvador, Akio Hosono, described the meeting as “a great opportunity to open a new chapter in their relations.”

He indicated the last summit to bring together Central American and Japanese officials was celebrated 10 years ago in Costa Rica.

In a message published yesterday in various Salvadoran dailies, on occasion of the 70th anniversary of relations between Japan and Central American countries this month, Koizumi expressed the wish to broaden their ties.

He also expressed hope that during the next summit in August, “we may exchange opinions more frankly to reach a shared vision on how to develop these relations even more, and together, carry out a special role in the international community.”