Nicaraguan and Costa Rican Foreign Ministers
Discuss Peaceful Resolution of Differences

By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff
aroberson@ticotimes.net

In a symbolic act of friendship, Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Norman Caldera and Costa Rican Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno sat side by side during a press conference to recap Caldera's visit to Costa Rica yesterday.

The ministers announced plans to resume yearly meetings of a bi-national commission -- which last met in Granada, Nicaragua in 1997 -- to resolve differences peacefully.

Nicaragua recently brought complaints of xenophobia and discrimination against Costa Rica before the Inter-American Human Rights Commission over the case of Natividad Canda, a Nicaraguan citizen who was attacked by dogs in November 2005 while attempting to enter a Costa Rican warehouse and later died from his wounds (TT, Nov. 10, 2005). The complaints also addressed the death of Nicaraguan José Ariel Silva, who was lynched by a group of Costa Ricans last December.

These complaints -- among other issues, including an ongoing dispute over navigation rights of the San Juan River that partially separates Costa Rica and Nicaragua -- have drawn attention to the countries' relationship.

Both ministers expressed hopes that the reestablished bi-national committee will allow for peaceful resolution of these and other disputes.

“This is the next firm and concrete step toward a good relationship,” Stagno said, explaining that the commission will likely meet in October in Costa Rica and will be made up of sub-commissions to address topics including security, borders and cartography and development. Additionally, the ministers plan to reestablish a “mixed commission” to address topics including health, education, job opportunities and others related to social and economic development.

“We believe peaceful solutions are absolutely possible,” Caldera said, adding that the commission will work on any issue that concerns both countries, including prevention of crime and drug trafficking.