Talking Turtles: Environmentalists from the National Sea Turtle Conservation Network yesterday marched in San José from the Environment and Energy Ministry (MINAE) to Casa Presidencial, calling for President Oscar Arias to expropriate land from developers in the northwestern Las Baulas National Marine Park, where leatherback turtles come to nest. Here, a giant leatherback marches alongside the network's Miguel Gómez.

The U.S. Department of State yesterday approved a $31,727 donation to the Public Security Ministry to use in fighting the trafficking, production and consumption of drugs, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.

Guatemalan Film Festival
“El pájaro sobreviviente,” by Alejandra Solórzano, 7 p.m., Centro de Cine, Barrio Amón, San José. Info: 223-2127.

Roundtable about Late Costa Rican Artist Francisco Amighetti
In honor of the 100 th anniversary of his birth, 7 p.m., Costa Rican Art Museum, Sabana Park, San José.

By Amanda Roberson
Tico Times Staff | aroberson@ticotimes.net

Costa Rican teachers got their wish of a fuller schedule they say will provide more job security yesterday when the government signed into effect a law that ups the maximum number of weekly classes they can teach from 32 to 40.

Teachers, who are paid per class, had argued they have trouble supporting themselves with just 32 classes, and most had supplemented their salaries with up to 12 temporary positions, or plazas interinas.

The new law, which was passed by the Legislative Assembly in August (TT, Aug. 31), was signed into effect yesterday by President Oscar Arias and Public Education Minister Leonardo Garnier, according to a statement from Casa Presidencial.

Garnier applauded the law, remarking that the old system had “always caused anxiety and instability among teachers.”

Upping their schedule to 40 hours is “an effort to give them stability and tranquility. It's a pleasure to sign this modification into law,” Garnier said.

A group of 94 Catholic priests yesterday denounced the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA), which they say would be a “radical reform to the state.”

An eight-page document signed by priests from around the country concludes that the “no” vote should prevail in a nationwide referendum on this controversial trade pact to be held Oct. 7.

The group made this pronouncement despite San José Archbishop Hugo Barrantes ordering church leaders to remain neutral about the pact.

In the document, the priests spell out their concerns about CAFTA, including the way they say it was negotiated behind Costa Ricans' backs and the “imposition of a neo-liberal state with its concomitant extension of division and social injustice.”

Those who work in the agricultural and industrial sectors will be the “great losers” if CAFTA is passed because of the “triangulation and diversion of trade to other Central American countries,” the statement says.

Barrantes reacted to this action by maintaining his stance that religious leaders should not choose sides on this nationwide debate.

“What I've taught the church is that we are above, not for or against” CAFTA, he said.

-Tico Times

The U.S. Department of State yesterday approved a $31,727 donation to the Public Security Ministry to use in fighting the trafficking, production and consumption of drugs, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.

These funds will be distributed among the Drug Control Police, Costa Rican Coast Guard and National Police.

Police will also be getting a boost from a donation of money and goods seized in drug busts that were confiscated by the Costa Rican Drug Institute (ICD).

The law obliges the institute to donate 60% of goods and money seized from drug trafficking to programs to prevent drug trafficking and consumption, explained ICD vice-president José Torres. Another 30% of these goods are donated to programs carried out by the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) and Prosecutor's Office, while the remaining 10% goes toward insurance and maintenance on seized goods, which include cars, boats and airplanes.

National Police also got an ¢8,000 ($15.50) monthly raise yesterday, and some officers also got additional bonuses, increasing their salaries by about ¢15,000 ($29) per month.

Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal said he hopes Costa Rican police officers will one day be the best paid in Central America, earning a minimum of $450 per month.