|
Currency | |
|
Dollar Exchange: | |
|
Central Bank | |
|
|
 Sell ¢490.50 |
|
CR Colon: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
US Dollar: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28 Oct 2005 |
|
Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, October 28, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WTO Rules for Second Time
In Favor of Latin America
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled for the second time in favor of Latin America in the so-called “banana war” over proposed European Union tariffs, finding that the most recent proposal of 187 euros ($225) per metric ton of bananas imported from Latin America would not grant Latin American producers the same access they now enjoy under most favored nation status. Currently, Latin American bananas are charged 75 euros ($92) per metric ton.
(Click for more)
Water Institute
Protest Continues
A strike by employees of the National Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) has entered its third week and is expected to continue into the next, strike supporter Albino Vargas, secretary general of the National Association of Public and Private Employees (ANEP), told The Tico Times yesterday.
(Click for more)
Yellow Alert
Declared in Nicaragua
Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños declared yesterday a yellow alert as the country prepares for Hurricane Beta, which could hit the country as a category two or three hurricane.
(Click for more)
San José Named
Culture Capital
Although Costa Rica isn't always known for its culture, particularly compared to the rest of Latin America and Spain, San José was ratified yesterday as the Latin American-Iberian Culture Capital for 2006. The honor came from the Executive Committee of the Union of Latin American-Iberian Capital Cities (UCCI).
(Click for more)
October 28
Free Scaling, Live Music, and More
On Oct. 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., El Rocodromo, Mundo Aventura Store, 100 m. north, 25 m. west of Toyota, Paseo Colón. Info: 846-6645.
Pejibaye Fair
Including crafts, bullfights, horse parade, free concerts, food sales based on pejibaye, Tucurrique, Cartago. Info: 362-9188.
The Little Prince
The classic work of Antoine Saint Exupéry in a play adaptation, Sundays through Nov. 7, 11 a.m., Teatro de Bellas Artes, University of Costa Rica Campus.
Concerts and Master Classes
By Carlos Micháns (composer) and recently created group “Quatour des Pays Bas,” Oct. 28, daytime master classes (composition - instrumental) at the University of Costa Rica School of Music, San Pedro. Concert by “Quatour des Pays Bas,” 7:30 p.m., at the Eugene O'Neill Theater. Info: 207-7554.
Edited By Rebecca Kimitch
Tico Times Staff
rkimitch@ticotimes.net
WTO Rules for Second Time
In Favor of Latin America
By Leland Baxter-Neal
Tico Times Staff
lbaxter@ticotimes.net
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled for the second time in favor of Latin America in the so-called “banana war” over proposed European Union tariffs, finding that the most recent proposal of 187 euros ($225) per metric ton of bananas imported from Latin America would not grant Latin American producers the same access they now enjoy under most favored nation status. Currently, Latin American bananas are charged 75 euros ($92) per metric ton.
“I cannot hide that I feel very, very satisfied with this ruling,” Costa Rican Trade Minister Manuel González said at a press conference yesterday announcing the news.
This ruling follows an identical decision Aug. 1st in another WTO arbitration on the Union 's original proposal of 230 ($283) euros. The EU proposed the 230-euro tariff as a part of its efforts to make a transition from its current trade system, which is a combination of quotas and tariffs and expires Dec. 31, to a tariff-only system.
Leaders from banana-producing nations in Latin America have rejected this offer, saying it would wreak havoc on their economies and cause serious social problems, and have held a series of summits to hash out a common strategy for defending their exports (TT, July 15), which led to taking the issue before the WTO.
“What happens now? That is a question mark,” González said. “I believe what this does is give the Latin American countries additional muscle, a much more solid platform on which to enter negotiations with the European Union on what will be the regimen that they finally apply.”
The ruling is not binding, however, and the Union could always still impose the 187-euro tariff unilaterally, “or they could say, ‘187 no, but 186 yes,'” González pointed out. In that case, Costa Rica and the other Latin American countries would have the option of turning to a WTO panel, a more definitive process but one that would take two to three years and cost Costa Rica a substantial price, the Trade Minister added.
González said it was still unknown exactly how the Union would proceed, and whether they would consult with Latin America. If an agreement is not reached, he said the country would use “any means available” to fight the tariffs, including taking the issue before the WTO Doha Round talks set to take place in Hong Kong in December.
Water Institute
Protest Continues
By María Gabriela Díaz
Tico Times Staff
mgdiaz@ticotimes.net
A strike by employees of the National Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) has entered its third week and is expected to continue into the next, strike supporter Albino Vargas, secretary general of the National Association of Public and Private Employees (ANEP), told The Tico Times yesterday.
Strikers received good news yesterday afternoon when a labor court declared the strike legal, meaning they will be paid for missed days of work.
“The tribunals sided with us, saying our fight is a just one; we have been peaceful, we have continued supplying the public with water,” said Walter Navarro, president of the AyA Workers Association (ASTRAA).
Employees demanding an 18% increase to their salaries have protested outside AyA offices in San José and Pavas, west of San José, and last week marched to Casa Presidencial, disputing wages they say are lower than other public workers' (TT, Oct. 21). Protesters also burned tires in front of the institute's Puntarenas office, according to the daily La Nación.
Vargas said that in a meeting with government officials on Tuesday, Labor Minister Fernando Trejos offered a 9.81% increase to their salaries, and then retracted the offer. However, Trejos told The Tico Times this is “a lie,” since only AyA executives, not Trejos, can offer a raise.
According to the minister, on Oct. 20, the government offered AyA employees a raise of 8.7% and an additional school bonus, designed to pay for children's back-to-school needs, of 8.19%. However, the employees rejected the offer.
According to Vargas, the strike will continue Monday outside AyA in Pavas, even though it has reached a point where it seems nothing more can be done.
“The strike is at a dead point, and we are waiting to see if (Costa Rican Archbishop) Monseñor Hugo Barrantes will offer us support,” said Vargas.
The Tico Times was unable to obtain comments from the Episcopal Conference by press time.
Yellow Alert
Declared in Nicaragua
Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños declared yesterday a yellow alert as the country prepares for Hurricane Beta, which could hit the country as a category two or three hurricane.
The warning was made so that shelters that will receive evacuees will take the necessary precautions, according to a statement from Nicaragua 's Casa Presidencial.
Bolaños also announced measures the government is taking to prepare for the impeding threat from Beta. Three disaster prevention command posts on the Atlantic coast have been reinforced with forces from Nicaragua 's military and personal from the Humanitarian Rescue Unit (UHR). The posts are in Puerto Cabezas, Bluefields and Corn Island.
The Nicaraguan President has also sent various ministers to the Caribbean to install coordination mechanisms, and 117 municipal prevention committees have been activated around the country.
In addition, classes have been suspended in schools in the Atlantic region starting tomorrow and continuing until further notice.
Beta, a tropical storm at press time, is expected to cause heavy rains to the eastern coast and Northern Zone of Costa Rica as well. The country's National Emergency Commission (CNE) is on the alert.
San José Named
Culture Capital
Although Costa Rica isn't always known for its culture, particularly compared to the rest of Latin America and Spain, San José was ratified yesterday as the Latin American-Iberian Culture Capital for 2006. The honor came from the Executive Committee of the Union of Latin American-Iberian Capital Cities (UCCI).
San José was selected based on its “cultural path” and because the International Festival of Arts in 2006 will be held here, Madrid Deputy Mayor Mercedes de la Merced told ACAN-EFE.
During a ceremony yesterday that had President Abel Pacheco among the attendants, De la Merced, secretary general of the UCCI, gave San José mayor Johnny Araya a parchment declaring the city the Culture Capital.
“The declaration of San José as the Latin American-Iberian Culture Capital 2006 is an excellent opportunity for josefinos and, in general, Costa Ricans to contribute a greater knowledge and give greater value to the traditions and expressions of different peoples,” Pacheco said.
The President asked Mayor Araya to provide ample space in cultural events for indigenous cultures.
The Municipality of San José will coordinate in 2006 a series of artistic, cultural and tourist activities throughout the city, particularly in spaces pegged for revitalization.
The plans include a national poetry festival, a Latin American-Iberian festival of theater, the International Festival of Arts in March, and a greater push for urban and street art.
– ACAN-EFE
Daily News | Home | Top Story | Business News | Central American News
Editorial Cartoon | Weekend | Exchange Rates | Fishing | Culture | Classified Ads
Display Ads | Subscribe! | Travel Guide | Archives | Links | About Us | Newsstand Locations
Contact Us