Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, August 02, 2005
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U.S. Air Support to Assist Search
For Lost Fishing Boat
Shoring up Costa Rican rescue contingents searching for a lost fishing boat bearing two U.S. passengers, the United States is sending a Hercules C-130 military plane from El Salvador. The plane will complement a twin-engine police plane and another private plane both flying as far as 40 miles out to sea and a helicopter the Red Cross readied for use yesterday, according to the Public Security Ministry and Red Cross.
(Click for more)
Trade Organization Supports
Latin American Banana Producers
World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitrators announced yesterday that the European Union must reconsider its hike of import taxes on bananas from Latin America, saying the hike would deny Latin America total access to the European market.
(Click for more)
Brazil to Share Ethanol Experiences
With Central America
The government of Brazil will share with the countries of Central America its experiences with the production of ethanol fuel during a seminar August 15- 19 in Sao Pablo, officials announced yesterday.
(Click for more)
August 02
Our Lady of Los Angeles Day
Cartago is invaded by thousands of pilgrims who have walked for hours or days, in some cases, to thank the Virgin, request a miracle or simply express their faith. Visitors can attend the “gala” mass in her honor, attended by President Abel Pacheco, at 9 a.m.
Book Exchange
Every Tuesday after 5 p.m., Café Teatro, Calle 15, Av. 2, Plaza de la Democracia.
Concert By Sergio and Adrián Sandí
Tonight at 7 p.m. at Teatro de la Danza, 100 m East, 100 m North, 50 m north of Santa Teresita Church, Barrio Escalante. Info: 222-2974, 256-4838.
Opera Madama Butterfly
With two alternating casts, one international, including two Japanese sopranos, and one all-Costa Rican, Aug. 3-5, 7 p.m.; Aug. 7, 5 p.m.; Aug. 9, 11 and 12, 7 p.m., National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3/5. Info: 221-1329.
By Rebecca Kimitch
Tico Times Staff
rkimitch@ticotimes.net
U.S. Air Support to Assist Search
For Lost Fishing Boat
By Robert Goodier
Tico Times Staff
rgoodier@ticotimes.net
Shoring up Costa Rican rescue contingents searching for a lost fishing boat bearing two U.S. passengers, the United States is sending a Hercules C-130 military plane from El Salvador. The plane will complement a twin-engine police plane and another private plane both flying as far as 40 miles out to sea and a helicopter the Red Cross readied for use yesterday, according to the Public Security Ministry and Red Cross.
The boat, a 23-foot deep-hull runabout called the Kingfisher, left Playa Flamingo, in the northern Pacific province of Guanacaste, early Friday morning and was reported missing by that evening (TT Daily Page Aug. 1). Five passengers were on board: captain Harold González, 27, mates Danilo González, 23, and Mallel Gómez Alanis, 16, all Costa Ricans, and Mark Vockery and Laura McCloud, U.S. tourists, the Public Security Ministry reported.
The search was stalled when an alleged crank caller told the Coast Guard a shrimping boat had recovered the crew Saturday, but the search resumed Sunday morning.
Rescuers pinpointed a spot at sea where eyewitness reports showed the boat was last seen, and are following currents from that point, Coast Guard station director Manuel Silva told The Tico Times.
The Coast Guard's ship and a private yacht it contracted are now in Nicaraguan waters after the northern neighbor's government granted permission to enter, Silva said.
High winds and steep waves might have caused the boat to sink, according to Jim McKee, area sailboat charter company owner and dual U.S.-Costa Rica citizen.
“When the winds blow, it sets up wind-driven waves out of the gulf of Papagayo. They close together and the faces are very steep, almost vertical, which makes them very dangerous, so when they hit the side of a boat, it's almost like hitting a solid wall of water,” he said.
A TV station in Boyd County, in the U.S. state of Kentucky, reported Vockery and McCloud, Kentucky residents, are newlyweds on their honeymoon in Guanacaste.
The couple was reportedly staying at the Hotel Paraíso Conchal, near Playa Flamingo, but a hotel staff member claimed the hotel has no guest registry.
Trade Organization Supports
Latin American Banana Producers
By Leland Baxter-Neal
Tico Times Staff
lbaxter@ticotimes.net
World Trade Organization (WTO) arbitrators announced yesterday that the European Union must reconsider its hike of import taxes on bananas from Latin America, saying the hike would deny Latin America total access to the European market.
Banana-producing countries from Latin America have protested the proposed increase, which would raise taxes from 75 euros ($91) per metric ton to 230 euros (about $279) per metric ton (TT, July 15). The new tariffs were scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2006.
Officials here expressed their satisfaction with the ruling at a special press conference held at Casa Presidencial following the decision. Costa Rica exports the second largest amount of bananas in Latin America, behind only Ecuador.
The ruling specified that the European Union has 10 days to begin discussions with Latin America. According to Trade Minister Manuel González, Latin American representatives will meet with European Union officials Friday to begin negotiations for a new tariff rate. He added that if they are unable to come to an agreement, Latin America will take their case to a second round of arbitration, and even to the Doha round of WTO talks slated to take place this December in Hong Kong.
Brazil to Share Ethanol Experiences
With Central America
GUATEMALA (ACAN-EFE) – The government of Brazil will share with the countries of Central America its experiences with the production of ethanol fuel during a seminar August 15- 19 in Sao Pablo, officials announced yesterday.
The Guatemalan Minister of Energy and Mines said in a statement that representatives from the energy ministries of Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Panama – in the case of Costa Rica, the Environment and Energy Ministry – will participate in the conference.
Ethanol is a biodegradable alcohol that is generally distilled from corn or sugar. Oil shortages in the 1970s prompted Brazil to begin its ethanol program. Most of Brazil 's drivers use a fuel that contains 25% ethanol; other new flex-fuel cars can run on straight ethanol, which sells for approximately half the price of regular fuel.
During the August seminar, experts will offer technical presentations focusing on aspects of sugarcane production, usage and production of ethanol, and environmental issues, according to the statement.
Oil prices soared yesterday past $61 a barrel after the death of Saudi Arabia 's King Fahd.
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