Two representatives from the Organization of American States (OAS) are scheduled to arrive tonight in Costa Rica for a fact-finding mission as they prepare to monitor an Oct. 7 national referendum on the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA).
OAS officials Paul Durand and Betilde Muñoz will spend 10 days meeting with authorities at the Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE), President Oscar Arias, representatives of political parties, anti- and pro-CAFTA figureheads and church leaders, according to Javier Vega, the Tribunal official in charge of receiving the missions.
Elections officials expect about 150 international observers to monitor the referendum from groups including the Carter Center, the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme.
The OAS visit is the first international mission to come to Costa Rica before the referendum. “We hope more come,” Vega said. “We want to be very observed, no problem.” |
| 
| Exchange Rates
