Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, October 03, 2005
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Nicaragua Denies Possibility
Of Diplomatic Cutoff
The Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry Friday afternoon denied reports that it had withdrawn its ambassador from Costa Rica in a spiraling dispute over rights to the San Juan River, which belongs to Nicaragua and runs along the northern border of Costa Rica.
(Click for more)
Costa Rica Electoral Campaign
Officially
Kicks Off With Call
For Honesty, Participation
Though the months of television ads, billboards and pamphleteers would seem to indicate otherwise, the 2006 presidential campaign officially began Saturday, in a solemn ceremony held in the auditorium of the Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) in downtown San José.
(Click for more)
Fire on Figueres Family
Farm Claims Four Lives
At least four people have died as a result of a fire at the hacienda “ La Lucha,” property 50 kilometers south of San José that belongs to the family of the former presidents José Figueres Ferrer and José María Figueres Olsen. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the authorities.
(Click for more)
October 03
National Fair for Elder Citizens
Seniors can participate in talks, folklore dance shows, aerobics, comedy, and an afternoon of dancing. The activity is free, today 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at El Tobogán, 800 m. from La República Newspaper on the Limón Highway. Info: 290-5690.
Electroacustic Party
DJ Erick Prestinary and Ensamble Étnico will mix electric music with sounds from Africa, Australia and the East, at 10 p.m., Jazz Café, San Pedro. Info: 394-4164.
Auditions and Open House
In English, preview of “The Little Theatre of Horrors/ Halloween Madness,” and auditions for “Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol” (4 men, 1 woman), 7-9 p.m. at Blanche Brown Theater, Escazú. Info: 355-1623, www.intertica.com/ltg.htm.
Edited By Leland Baxter-Neal
Tico Times Staff
lbaxter@ticotimes.net
Nicaragua Denies Possibility
Of Diplomatic Cutoff
By Tim Rogers
Tico Times Nicaragua Correspondent
trogers@ticotimes.net
GRANADA, Nicaragua – The Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry Friday afternoon denied reports that it had withdrawn its ambassador from Costa Rica in a spiraling dispute over rights to the San Juan River, which belongs to Nicaragua and runs along the northern border of Costa Rica.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Oscar García told The Nica Times that Nicaragua 's ambassador to Costa Rica, Francisco Fiallos, had not been recalled, but was merely back in Nicaragua to “consult” with the government on the country's official position regarding the river.
Garcia also dismissed questions regarding a possible cutoff of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“No one is talking about that,” he said.
The seven-year-old dispute over the extent of Costa Rica 's navigation rights on the river escalated last week when Costa Rica presented the case to the International Court of Justice at The Hague (TT, Sept. 30).
(See this week's print or pdf edition of The Tico Times, available now on newsstands or online, for more on the river conflict.)
Costa Rica Electoral Campaign Officially
Kicks Off With Call For Honesty, Participation
By Leland Baxter-Neal
Tico Times Staff
lbaxter@ticotimes.net
Though the months of television ads, billboards and pamphleteers would seem to indicate otherwise, the 2006 presidential campaign officially began Saturday, in a solemn ceremony held in the auditorium of the Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) in downtown San José.
The convocation included the participation of President Abel Pacheco, Public Security Minister Rogelio Ramos and President of the TSE, Óscar Fonseca. Many other ministers, legislators and candidates were among the audience, however notable in his absence was Óscar Arias, presidential candidate for the National Liberation Party (PLN) and current leader in the polls.
In addition to formalizing the start of the campaign, which will culminate in the national elections held Feb. 5, 2006, the ceremony featured speeches by both Pacheco and Fonseca.
Fonseca called upon the Costa Rican public to turn out and vote, saying that abstention “damages democracy.”
“Abstention… is a form of protest. But the truth is that abstention does not resolve any of the problems it is intended to, on the contrary, it can make them worse,” Fonseca said.
A recent poll found that 39 out of every 100 Costa Ricans said they would not vote in the upcoming elections, according to the daily La Nación.
Fonseca also said that low voter turn out in the last elections “should constitute a strong call to attention for those who are elected” in the upcoming elections.
“The people do not demand miracles nor extraordinary heroic acts, only work, a lot of work; honesty, a lot of honesty and a key behavior: to always tell the truth, as hard or harsh as it may be, and to act consequently. There is no other way,” Fonseca said.
Fire on Figueres Family
Farm
Claims Four Lives
At least four people have died as a result of a fire at the hacienda “ La Lucha,” property 50 kilometers south of San José that belongs to the family of the former presidents José Figueres Ferrer and José María Figueres Olsen. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the authorities.
The farm was founded by the late José (“Pepe”) Figueres, legendary leader of the 1948 revolution which created modern Costa Rican democracy. Jose Figueres was President three times in the 1940s and 1950s for the National Liberation Party (PLN). His son, José María Figueres, was President from 1994-1998.
According to the Red Cross, the four victims were Dora Solano, 60, who was the mother-in-law of Mariano Figueres, José Figueres' son and José María Figueres' brother; Henry Solano, 37, who was Mariano Figueres' brother-in-law; Sandra Castro, 37, and her five-year-old daughter Gabriela Castro.
Local media reported that Mariano Figueres and his wife we both at the hacienda, but according to the Red Cross, apart from those who perished, no others were injured.
The fire started at 5:00 a.m. in a 200-square-meter wooden house, which, according to authorities, allowed the fire to spread rapidly without giving the victims a chance to escape.
-ACAN-EFE
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