[dailyarchive/2005_03/exchange_rates.htm]
Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, March 15, 2005
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GMO Threat Expands in
Costa Rica
While conservationists and concerned Costa Ricans call for an end to the expansion of transgenic agriculture in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture continues authorizing new crops, according to environmentalist Fabián Pacheco.
(Click for more)
Men Arrested in Connection with
Alajuela Hospital Problems Freed
Two men arrested in connection with a series of equipment failures and substandard construction at the new Hospital San Rafael, in Alajuela, northwest of San José , were granted conditional freedom yesterday. They had begun three-month preventive detention while authorities investigated their cases.
(Click for more)
Countries Join Forces in
Costa Rica Against Terrorism
Government representatives from six Latin American countries yesterday inaugurated in San José a workshop that aims to unite forces against terrorism. The governments are hoping to unify each country's legislation against terrorism, with the help of the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS) and Canada.
(Click for more)
March 15
Neo-Romantic Concert
Celebrated pianist Manuel Obregón and guitarist Mario Ulloa are performing tonight at 8 p.m., at the National Theater, Av. Ctrl./2, Ca. 3/5, 281-3770.
Luz de Luna Festival
Features a series of activities during the week and opens tonight with a cimarrona (typical Costa Rican music) show, marimba and a flamenco show. Tomorrow people may enjoy the play, “El Delantal Blanco” (in Spanish), and a jazz concert by Amarillo , Cian y Magenta. March 17 is concert night with performances by Roberto Antillón, music workshop students, the Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Children's Symphony Orchestra. March 18, the audience will enjoy a tango show and a performance by professors from the Municipal School of Integrated Arts (EMAI). March 19, the Big Band will play and the festival will close March 20 with a chess demonstration. All activities start at 7 p.m., in front of the Centennial Church in Santa Ana , 233-3235.
Painting Show
Go to Café Expresivo and enjoy the “Act Painting” by Brian Goodfellow, at 10 p.m. and the participation of DJ Café at 8 p.m. The restaurant is in Barrio Escalante, 375 m . east of Santa Teresita Church, 224-1202, 281-1690.
Edited By Katherine Stanley
Tico Times Staff
kstanley@ticotimes.net
GMO Threat Expands in
Costa Rica
By María Gabriela Díaz
Tico Times Staff
mgdiaz@ticotimes.net
While conservationists and concerned Costa Ricans call for an end to the expansion of transgenic agriculture in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture continues authorizing new crops, according to environmentalist Fabián Pacheco.
During 2003-2004, three companies that grew transgenic crops in an area of 627 hectares – Delta and Pine, Del Trópico Seeds and Olson Seeds – existed in Costa Rica, anti-GMO activist Pacheco said in a press release issued Sunday.
Currently, from 2004-2005, growth of GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, has spread to almost 1,450 hectares and expanded with the arrival of two more companies, UNIPO S.A. and Pura Semilla de Algodón S.A., said Pacheco, who is also the son of Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco.
“We (the Costa Rican Conservationist Federation, FECON) have been asking the Ministry of Agriculture for figures on transgenic expansion in the country since last year, and three weeks ago, they finally supplied us this information,” Fabián Pacheco told The Tico Times yesterday.
“GMO growth has duplicated within one year, and there is still no news on the moratorium on transgenic crops requested last year,” he said.
Last year, several activist groups in Costa Rica requested this moratorium, arguing studies on the impact of GMOs on human health and the environment are insufficient (TT, April 23,2004).
GMOs, also known as transgenics, are produced in laboratories through genetic engineering and designed to exhibit certain traits, such as resistance to viral infections, bacteria, fungi and pesticides (TT, February 25).
Men Arrested in Connection with
Alajuela Hospital Problems Freed
By Robert Goodier
Tico Times Staff
rgoodier@ticotimes.net
Two men arrested in connection with a series of equipment failures and substandard construction at the new Hospital San Rafael, in Alajuela, northwest of San José , were granted conditional freedom yesterday. They had begun three-month preventive detention while authorities investigated their cases.
The Financial Crimes Division of the Prosecutor's Office had arrested the Costa Rican economic manager of the Madrid-based construction consortium Obrascón Huarte Laín, S.A., Hernando Lazo, and the Social Security System's (Caja) former assistant operations manager, Israel Moya, on embezzlement charges, after it raided their offices last month (TT, March 4, 2005).
The consortium was accused of botching the new public hospital, where reports have mounted of equipment failures, leaks, poorly fitted doors, broken sterilizing machines, air-conditioning glitches, missing accessories for medical equipment, and other problems (TT, Feb. 18).
After the arrests and rash of public accusations and denials, the consortium agreed to pay for damages.
Lazo and Moya must pay a ¢10 million ($21,500) cautionary fee, sign in with the court every 22 days, and they cannot approach the hospital, contact any witnesses in the case, or leave the country without authorization, according to Sandra Castro, spokeswoman for the Judicial Branch.
Countries Join Forces in
Costa Rica Against Terrorism
Government representatives from six Latin American countries yesterday inaugurated in San José a workshop that aims to unite forces against terrorism. The governments are hoping to unify each country's legislation against terrorism, with the help of the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS) and Canada.
The workshop includes the participation of representatives from the Justice Ministries, Foreign Ministries, Prosecutor and Attorney General offices, and Judicial Branches of Costa Rica, El Salvador , Mexico , Nicaragua , Panama and Peru .
The activity is called International Cooperation of Penal Matters in the Fight Against Terrorism and includes the advice of experts from Argentina , Brazil , Italy , Spain and Mexico . It will culminate tomorrow.
Elias Carranza, director of the United Nations Latin American Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Delinquency (ILANUD), told ACAN-EFE it is fundamental that the laws of each country be unified.
“This workshop is centered around the implementation of anti-terrorism laws. It is important that multilateral decisions be taken, and that the laws comply with UN and OAS conventions, “ he said.
Costa Rican Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar added, “Mechanisms of judicial cooperation and the exchange of information and intelligence, as well as efforts to cut off the financing of terrorism, make up the principal tools to fight terrorism.”
– EFE
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