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17 Mar 2006 |
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Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, March 17, 2006
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Public Health Ministry Launches
AIDS Prevention Campaign
The Public Health Ministry this week launched a nine-month campaign to educate Costa Ricans about the prevention of AIDS, said Health Ministry Advisor and campaign coordinator Guiselle Lucas.
(Click for more)
Alleged Guerilla
Arrested in San José
Libardo Parra, an alleged Colombian fugitive and member of the guerilla operation M-19, remained in prison in San José yesterday as Colombian officials began the process of extraditing him, Public Security Ministry spokesman Nícolas Aguilar told The Tico Times.
(Click for more)
Exports Increased 14%
In First Two Months of 2006
Costa Rican exports increased by 14% in the first two months of the year for a total of $1.18 billion, Foreign Trade Minister Manuel González announced yesterday. The growth last month compared to February 2005 was 20%.
(Click for more)
New Nicaraguan
Ambassador Sworn In
The new Nicaraguan ambassador to Costa Rica, Leopoldo Ramírez, was sworn in yesterday by Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Norman Caldera.
(Click for more)
March 17
Today
National Orchid Exhibit
Organized by the Costa Rican Orchid Association, March 17-19, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., INCOFER, San José (formerly the Pacific train station).
Fiestas in Guanacaste
Including cowboy exhibits, concerts, dances, March 17-20, Villareal, Santa Cruz, northwestern province of Guanacaste.
International Arts Festival
Sabana Park, west of San José, open-air concerts, performances, sports and more, March 17-26, for complete schedule check out www.festivaldelasartes.com.
Saturday
Tamarindo's Newly Awarded Environmental Blue Flag Ceremony
4:30 p.m., in front of Nogui's Restaurant in the Tamarindo Circle. Program includes a flag-raising ceremony by the National Blue Flag Committee, music by 91.1 La Radio, free dessert and games for kids. Info: 828-8113, ttadvmktg@yahoo.com or Laura at 810-1493, perkysibs@aol.com
Sunday
Azul Silencio
Jazz, folk and rock, 10 p.m., Jazz Café, San Pedro.
Edited By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff
aroberson@ticotimes.net
Public Health Ministry Launches
AIDS Prevention Campaign
By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff
aroberson@ticotimes.net
The Public Health Ministry this week launched a nine-month campaign to educate Costa Ricans about the prevention of AIDS, said Health Ministry Advisor and campaign coordinator Guiselle Lucas.
The campaign consists of radio and TV commercials giving information about three internationally promoted ways of preventing AIDS: abstinence, exclusivity between sexual partners and the correct use of a condom, Lucas explained.
These ads target the general population, Lucas said, but they are particularly important for “risk groups” whose lifestyles put them more in danger of contracting the disease, such as commercial sex workers.
Over the course of nine months, six radio announcements and five TV announcements will be broadcasted nationwide. Guests will also make appearances on widely viewed national talk shows to present the campaign's message.
The ads are “generic,” Lucas said, featuring men and women of different races to transmit the message that anyone can contract AIDS.
The campaign is funded by the Public Health Ministry, the National Council for Integral Attention to AIDS (CONASIDA) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
There are 1,800 diagnosed cases of AIDS in Costa Rica, Public Health Minister María del Rocío Sáenz told the daily La Nación.
Alleged Guerilla
Arrested in San José
By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff
aroberson@ticotimes.net
Libardo Parra, an alleged Colombian fugitive and member of the guerilla operation M-19, remained in prison in San José yesterday as Colombian officials began the process of extraditing him, Public Security Ministry spokesman Nícolas Aguilar told The Tico Times.
National Police worked together with International Police (INTERPOL) to arrest Parra Wednesday as he was driving along a highway west of San José, Aguilar said. Later that night they raided his home in Escazú, west of San José, and found “a considerable amount of money,” though Aguilar said he didn't know exactly how much.
Parra is wanted in Colombia for kidnapping and extortion and alleged to be a member of the guerilla operation M-19 (April 19 Movement), known for seizing the National Palace in Bogotá, Colombia in 1988.
Parra, however, told the daily La Nación he was “unaware of the charges against me in Colombia.” He said he hadn't been back to his country in many years but could return without problems at any time.
Aguilar said Parra entered Costa Rica in 2004 from Nicaragua and stayed on a tourist visa, which has long since expired.
Exports Increased 14%
In First Two Months of 2006
Costa Rican exports increased by 14% in the first two months of the year for a total of $1.18 billion, Foreign Trade Minister Manuel González announced yesterday. The growth last month compared to February 2005 was 20%.
Total exports last year were $7 billion, with 11.5% growth over the 2004 total (TT, Jan. 27).
González said in a statement that the agricultural sector was primarily responsible for the January-February increase. Many of the usual suspects made up the largest percentage of exports (pineapple, banana, food preparations and microprocessor components) and showed the most dynamic growth (sugar, pineapple, banana and aluminum sheets, among other products), but February also marked the first-ever exports of carrots to Trinidad and Tobago by the company Inabrisa S.A., the statement said.
The United States, Holland and the countries of Central America were the leading purchasers of Costa Rican products during the period. The Philippines, South Korea, Finland, Canada, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Dominican Republic showed the most growth.
-Tico Times
New Nicaraguan Ambassador Sworn In
The new Nicaraguan ambassador to Costa Rica, Leopoldo Ramírez, was sworn in yesterday by Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Norman Caldera.
Ramírez has served as Nicaragua 's ambassador to Mexico and the Dominican Republic, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
Ramírez replaces Nicaraguan Ambassador Francisco Fiallos, who resigned to focus on running for President in Nicaragua 's Nov. 5 general elections.
-ACAN-EFE
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