As groups supporting the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) yesterday celebrated its victory in Sunday's nationwide referendum, the government extended an olive branch to its opponents.
Presidency Minister Rodrigo Arias sent a letter to the leaders of the Citizen Action Party (PAC), opponents of CAFTA who have promised to stall legislation needed to implement the agreement. Addressed to PAC faction head Elizabeth Fonseca, the letter says the government of President Oscar Arias wants to “build bridges... in benefit of all Costa Ricans.”
Fonseca accepted the Arias brothers' invitation to meet Wednesday and discuss the CAFTA implementation agenda as well as consensus projects to improve education, security and benefits for small businesses.
Fonseca told the press that the 13 CAFTA implementation laws go beyond what the treaty requires, and that PAC legislators will pass motions to lesson their impact. Even then the party will not vote for the laws, considering them “harmful to the country.”
The five legislative factions that support CAFTA are working with the Executive Branch on a strategy to pass the 13 laws before Feb. 29, the deadline for Costa Rica to comply with the treaty.
A victory for the “yes” side appeared certain as the Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) continued counting votes yesterday. At press time, with about 98% of votes counted, 51.6% voted “yes” and 48.3% voted “no.” The election saw about a 60% turnout, more than enough to satisfy the 40% voter turnout requirement for the results to be binding. |
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