[dailyarchive/2005_03/exchange_rates.htm]
Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, March 08, 2005
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Calendar Celebrating Right to
Abortion Stirs Controversy
As the National Women's Institute (INAMU) yesterday prepared to commemorate International Women's Day today, Minister of Women's Affairs Georgina Vargas had little to celebrate when she faced questions regarding allegations INAMU defends abortion.
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Foreigners to be Deported
Costa Rican immigration authorities say they have detained four Chinese citizens, 10 South Americans and 16 Nicaraguans, who have been or will be deported to their countries of origin, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.
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Small Quake
Rattles Guanacaste
An earthquake off the Nicaraguan coast hummed through Costa Rica 's northwest province of Guanacaste early yesterday morning. The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) at Universidad Nacional measured the quake at 4.9 on the Richter Scale – enough to make the floor vibrate, but not powerful enough to do damage.
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March 08
Happy International Women's Day!
International Women's Day celebrations include a talk on the day's history, awarding of prizes for the Rainbow Seeds Contest, and an art exhibit, 2 p.m. at the José Figueres Cultural Center in San Ramón, Alajuela.
Round Table on Peace
Moderator Eduardo Mora Valverde will guide a discussion between Walter Muñoz, Nuria Marín, Vladimir de la Cruz and priest Miguel Picado, who will brainstorm actions and strategies for the conservation of peace. Free and open to the public, Calderón Guardia Museum , Barrio Escalante, 100 m . east, 100 m . north of Santa Teresita Church. Info: 255-1218, 222-6392.
Jam Session
Kin Rivera (drums), Walter Flores (piano), Nelson Segura (bass) and guest percussionist “Pangui” Mora will perform at 10 p.m. at the Jazz Café in San Pedro. Info: 253-8933.
Edited By Rebecca Kimitch
Tico Times Staff
rkimitch@ticotimes.net
Calendar Celebrating Right to
Abortion Stirs Controversy
By Rebecca Kimitch and press reports
Tico Times Staff
rkimitch@ticotimes.net
As the National Women's Institute (INAMU) yesterday prepared to commemorate International Women's Day today, Minister of Women's Affairs Georgina Vargas had little to celebrate when she faced questions regarding allegations INAMU defends abortion.
The allegations stem from an INAMU-sponsored calendar, which, within its text, promotes a woman's right to an abortion.
Vargas repeatedly said at a press conference yesterday, “this institution is not starting a campaign in favor of abortion.” She emphasized abortion is illegal in Costa Rica .
The calendar, published with public funds by the government entity,
contains various important dates regarding women's rights. It highlights Sept. 28 as the decriminalization of abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean , and includes the text, “The right to an abortion is part of a woman's rights…,” according to the daily La Nación.
Abortion is not only illegal in Costa Rica , it is opposed by 91.7% of the country, according to a recent Demoscopía poll published in the daily Al Día. However, 43.4% of those polled said abortions might be justified in cases of rape, if the physical and mental health of the mother is at risk, or there are fetal malformations.
The Minister of Women's Affairs said she authorized a calendar recognizing contributions of women in history, but the contents never passed through her office before they were published, the wire service EFE reported. Varags said she has ordered an investigation to find those responsible and take appropriate administrative measures.
José Francisco Ulloa, president of the Episcopal Conference, told La Nación last week President Abel Pacheco owes an explanation because it is incomprehensible that such a calendar could be published in violation of the Constitution, the politics of Costa Rica and doctrines of the Catholic Church, the country's official religion.
The Civil Pro-Life Association is considering filing a complaint with the Comptroller General's Office regarding the use of public funds to promote abortion, the daily reported.
Vargas said 1,000 calendars were published at a cost of ¢905,000 ($1,946). They were distributed to state institutions, but will be “recalled immediately,” she said.
INAMU is holding a celebration in recognition of International Women's Day today in the Radisson Hotel in San José at noon. During the celebration, officials will announce the official start of a process to create a National Policy for Gender Equality and Fairness.
Other events will be held throughout the day, including: a proclamation at the Legislative Assembly by various women's groups against the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States, and the public announcement of the New Feminist League Party (TT Daily Page, March 7).
Costa Rican immigration authorities say they have detained four Chinese citizens, 10 South Americans and 16 Nicaraguans, who have been or will be deported to their countries of origin, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.
One of the Chinese citizens, who allegedly carried an altered Venezuelan passport, may have been a “coyote,” who tried to sneak his fellow countrymen into the United States , according to the ministry.
The four Chinese travelers, headed for Mexico , did not carry the required transit visas and were deported to Venezuela on Sunday, after arriving in the country the day before.
Immigration director Marco Badilla said in the statement that Costa Rican authorities detected four groups of Chinese citizens who traveled with fake Taiwanese passports in 2004, as part of an alleged network that transports Asians to North America through South America .
In addition, seven Peruvians and three Ecuadorians tried to avoid an immigration post on the Inter-American Highway but were intercepted Saturday by police inside Santa Rosa National Park , in the northwestern province of Guanacaste .
The 16 undocumented Nicaraguans, scheduled to be deported this week, were also apprehended over the weekend during a joint operation by police, immigration officials and officials from the municipality of Alajuela , where the Nicaraguans were arrested in “problematic” bars and after-hours hangouts.
The foreigners were transferred to an immigration center in San José , where they await deportation.
Small Quake
Rattles Guanacaste
By Robert Goodier
Tico Times Staff
rgoodier@ticotimes.net
An earthquake off the Nicaraguan coast hummed through Costa Rica 's northwest province of Guanacaste early yesterday morning. The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) at Universidad Nacional measured the quake at 4.9 on the Richter Scale – enough to make the floor vibrate, but not powerful enough to do damage.
The tremor struck at 1:17 a.m., 86 kilometers south of Managua , Nicaragua , about 75 km below ground under the Pacific. The observatory reports it was felt in the municipality of Santa Cruz in Guanacaste.
Scientists say a quake of that size would never generate tidal waves. Typically, big waves are characteristic of a magnitude 6.0 quake or greater, according to Mario Fernández, seismologist for the National Seismological Network of the University of Costa Rica .
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