Universities Unite: Students from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and National University (UNA) yesterday protested in front of the Supreme Elections Tribunal in downtown San José to express their opposition to a Tribunal ruling that university personnel, like other public officials, cannot use public resources to campaign for or against the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA).

The Chinese have come to town. Both the first Chinese trade exposition and first diplomatic delegation are in Costa Rica and preparing for a whirlwind of meetings, forums, cocktails, and signings this week.

Suzuki Piano Recital
With Alejandro Faerron, 11, performing Volume 2 of the Suzuki Piano Literature; and Cynthia Soto, 6, performing Volume 1, 6:45 p.m., Wunderle Suzuki Piano Talent Education Studio, Rohrmoser. Info: 232-3999.

Guatemalan Ballet
Modern and folkloric ballet from Guatemala, Eugene O'Neill Theater, inside Costa Rican-North American Culture Center, ¢5,000 (about $10), 7 p.m.

The Big Band of Costa Rica with Liam Teague and Robert Chappell
Today and tomorrow, 8 p.m., National Theater, Ave. 2/Ctrl., Calle 3/5.

By Tim Rogers
Nica Times Staff | trogers@ticotimes.net

MANAGUA – President Daniel Ortega and Costa Rican counterpart Oscar Arias took the first step toward defrosting bilateral relations yesterday by announcing the restart of the long-stalled Bilateral Commission to open a permanent dialogue between the two countries.

Following a 45-minute private meeting – the first between the two since returning to their respective presidencies during the 1980s – Arias announced that both are committed to restarting the Bilateral Commission to address some of the pending issues that define relations between the two nations.

The Bilateral Commission was a mechanism that existed between Nicaragua and Costa Rica in the 1990s to ensure open channels of communication, but it was frozen in 1997 during an escalation of tension over Costa Rica's rights to navigate the Río San Juan, the Nicaraguan river that forms part of the border between the two countries. Both Presidents agreed that the issue of the San Juan, currently in international litigation before The Hague, will not be addressed in the Bilateral Commission.

“Our countries not only share a common border, but a common dream,” Arias said. “But we haven't talked in 10 years.”

Arias was in Nicaragua at the invitation of Nicaraguan Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo to commemorate the 20 th anniversary of the Central American Peace Accords, for which the Costa Rican President won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1987.

Despite the apparent breakthrough in the relations between the two countries, on a personal level, the relationship between Arias and Ortega was as chilly as it was cordial.

Though Ortega picked up Arias at the airport in his own vehicle, the two men didn't publicly exchange pleasantries or any of the light banter that is typical during a meeting between two Presidents.

And when they did talk, the dissimilarities and ideological divide between the two men was clearly marked, suggesting a future challenges in the relationship between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, despite a new willingness to talk.

By Gillian Gillers
Tico Times Staff | ggillers@ticotimes.net

Some 800 members of the university community demonstrated yesterday against a resolution by the Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) that they say infringes upon university autonomy.

Students from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) in San Pedro, east of San José, and National University (UNA) in Heredia, north of San José, organized the protest, which also drew university union members, a few professors, rectors and organizations representing small farmers.

At issue was a July 12 resolution by the Tribunal that said university personnel, like other public officials, cannot use public resources to campaign for or against the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA).

One group of protestors marched from UCR to the Tribunal downtown, and another rode in about 12 buses from UNA. Students, rectors and trade unionists gave speeches and demonstrated, and about 50 police officers stood guard near the building, which was cordoned off with yellow cord and tape.

Responding to widespread outrage from the university community, the Tribunal clarified its resolution last week in a statement. We “consider desirable and necessary that public universities of the country stimulate national debate (on CAFTA)” through such activities as classes, conferences, research and publications, the statement read. Prohibitions against using public resources should not impede these activities – even when their purpose is to propose “critical visions and alternatives to the national reality,” as long they do not “degenerate into propagandistic activities.”

Some protestors were not assuaged. “It is not sufficient,” said William Jiménez, general secretary of the UCR Union of Retirees. “They are trying to demobilize the public universities with this clarification.”

But Olman Segura, Rector of National University, said he is “delighted” with the Tribunal's recent statement. He said the march had been planned before the Tribunal released it, and he joined protestors only to “reiterate the importance of university autonomy.”

UCR Rector Yamileth González released a statement yesterday expressing “great satisfaction” with the Tribunal's recent statement, which she said shows full respect for university autonomy. González had strongly criticized the Tribunal's July 12 resolution and requested a clarification.

By Peter Krupa
Tico Times Staff | pkrupa@ticotimes.net