The Final Push: Street vendor René González clapped along with the crowd yesterday during a rally in the middle of downtown San José's Avenida Segunda for the approval of the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA). Costa Ricans will vote on this controversial trade pact in a nationwide referendum Sunday.

The northwestern Guanacaste province will be promoting itself as a tourist attraction to buyers from around the world during the Guanacaste Market Place fair beginning Sunday and running one week.

National Symphony Orchestra in Concert
With guest director Hal France, guest pianist Alexander Peskanov, playing works by Gabrieli, Schumann, Stravinsky, and Petrouchka, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m., National Theater, San José. Info: 221-5341.

Movie Forum Featuring “Earthlings”
5 p.m., University of Costa Rica health library auditorium, San Pedro, http://www.uespra.org/

Humberto Vargas Concert
Award-winning Costa Rican singer performs, 7 p.m., Spanish Cultural Center, Barrio Escalante, San José. Info: 257-2919.

Free Hike to Cariblanco Waterfall
With Mundo Aventura, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., leaving from Auto Mercado Los Yoses. Info, transportation: 280-0112, 280-0114.

Sax Fest
With Feminas Quartet, Anacrusax Quartet, Mexico Sonsax and Latinos Sonsax, 7:30 p.m., Teatro Dionisio, Café Britt, highway to Barva, Heredia, 500 meters north, 400 meters west of Auto Mercado. Info: 277-1600.

“84 Charing Cross Road”
Little Theatre Group production in English, today and tomorrow, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Laurence Olivier Theater, Ave. 2, Calle 28, San José. Info: 355-1623.

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

The U.S. Trade Representative has sent Costa Rica a clear message: The United States will not consider negotiating a new trade agreement if Costa Rica votes down the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) in Sunday's referendum.

“It is difficult to imagine any U.S. administration renegotiating the current agreement or negotiating a new trade agreement with Costa Rica if this agreement is rejected,” said U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab. “The opportunity for Costa Rica to enjoy the benefits of regional free trade is now.”

Schwab's comments do not officially close the door to a trade agreement, however, since the decision of whether or not to negotiate could be in the hands of a Democratic presidential administration after the 2008 U.S. election.

Costa Ricans around the country will vote Sunday in the country's first referendum, which just happens to be on possibly the most controversial topic in recent history. If at least 40% of eligible voters turn out, the results will be binding.

Campaigns for both the “yes” and “no” side have heated up this week as each pulls out its final stops to win over undecided voters.

See tomorrow's print or electronic edition of The Tico Times for more details on Costa Rica's options should it vote down CAFTA, and stay tuned to the online Daily News page for coverage of election results.

Tears of devastation overtook many residents of the eastern province of Cartago yesterday as they cleaned up the wreckage from floodwaters that swept over the province Wednesday.

About 300 families in Cartago lost most of their possessions after the overflowing Reventados River gushed through the cantons of La Lima, El Guraco and Quircot, according to a statement from the National Emergency Commission (CNE).

Heavy rains continuing through yesterday led the commission to declare a red alert for the cantons of El Guarco and the center of Cartago.

About 200 people spent Wednesday night in temporary shelters set up by the commission, while others abandoned the flooded area to stay with family members elsewhere.

The commission has contracted machinery to help clean up Cartago and has dispatched geologists and engineers to evaluate damage caused by the “avalanche of water” that washed over the province. Food, water, blankets and other supplies are also being distributed.

CNE president Daniel Gallardo lamented Wednesday's flooding as a consequence of poor urban planning that has allowed for construction on top of riverbeds.

A similar tragedy occurred in 1963, and since then dikes have been built in Cartago to prevent flooding. However, construction on top of riverbeds, and even on top of the dikes, has rendered them virtually useless.

-Tico Times

The northwestern Guanacaste province will be promoting itself as a tourist attraction to buyers from around the world during the Guanacaste Market Place fair beginning Sunday and running one week.

Buyers from the United States, Germany, Argentina, the United Kingdom and Mexico are scheduled to attend.

The fair will exhibit Guanacaste's attractions that draw thousands of tourists there every year, explained Patricia Duar, director of the Costa Rican Association of Tourism Professionals (ACOPROT).

“Guanacaste has its own personality,” so it deserves its own tourism fair, she said.

The fair will take place in the town of Flamingo and will draw local hotels, tour operators, car rental companies, airlines, tourism providers, chambers and banks. They will be able to set up appointments with international buyers, and these buyers will have the opportunity to tour the area before and after the event to check out the quality of products and services.

Of the 22 buyers coming to the trade fair this year, nine will be here for the first time.

Guacacaste's beaches make it a prime tourist destination; 36% of tourists who go there each year have visited the province at least once before. Tourists to Guanacaste spend an average of $2,000 and stay 8.14 nights.