San Jose Blog

MICHELETTI, ARIAS AND ZELAYA: IN THE MIDDLE OF A PUBLICITY STUNT.

One month ago, as announced by the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, the president of Costa Rica, Óscar Arias Sánchez, was appointed as a mediator in a dialogue between the interim de facto President of Honduras Roberto Micheletti and the deposed Honduran president, removed form the power by what most of the international community considers a coup d’état, Manuel Zelaya. Negotiations were going take place at San José between four delegates representing Micheletti’s interim goverment and a commission sent by Zelaya. Even though, that fisrt round of negotiations didn’t draw an outcome fot the political crisis at Honduras, it did put Costa Rica in the headlines of main news around the globe. But here lies a question: Why choosing such a country and it’s president to lead the agreements between both parts?

First of all, Costa Rica is well known for being a neutral country. Ever since the abolition of the army by Jose Figueres Ferrer in 1948 and consecrated in the Constituion of 1949, Costa Rica, not only has gained a well-known name for becoming the first country around the world to, constitutionally, abolish its army, but for establishing a policy of neutrality among international incidents that includes acts of belligerence.

Óscar Arias’ name appear in this peace equation during his first term as president (1986-1990). It was in that time, that he contributed to solve the political conflicts in Central America which invloved the United States using Honduras as a military base for its armed forces to support a rebel group named the Contras which were fighting against the Sandinista goverment in Nicaragua. The U.S. was also aiding the goverments of El Salvador and Guatemala that, at the time, were enduring left-wind guerrilla attacks. Panama didn’t escape this chaotic political enviroment, as it was facing the military dictatorship of Manuel Antonio Noriega. In the middle of all this, Costa Rica’s name rise as president Arias earned the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Esquipulas II Agreement which developed a plan in Central America for promoting democracy with free elections and the disbandment of paramilitary forces that receives aid from other groups or countries.

A lot has been said about Arias’ work during the Esquipulas II Agreement. Some opinions favorable, some discouraging. Mostly because some might consider, Arias used his political power to gain a title he didn’t deserved and left unwatch his political duties as president in his own country.

Those in favor of that last opinion, say that more than 20 years later, Arias,  running his second term as president, onces again seizes the opportunity to rise his name among the international comunnity, to back up the prize he earned two decades go. In a different enviroment, dealing with goverments that stand behind economical policies, leaving behind ideologies, facing a powerful movement like the one Hugo Chavez, in South America and Nicaragua, is devoloping masked as the A.L.B.A., leaving unwatched a country which isn’t as economically or socially stable as in the mid-eighties, Arias’ new San José Agreement, that deals with a 12-step program to achieve national reconciliation and strengthen democracy in Honduras, has not been as welcomed as he expected, rejected by Zelaya’s Commission and leading the path to failure in giving resolution to the crisis.

Nevertheless, the intention to display a publicity stunt by the mandatary, achieve its goal as he, once again, gained international recognition. At this point in which some say Arias use his political influence and power for his name to achieve this recognition, it is necessary to question those remarks that see these as a negative point for Costa Rica. The repercutions in internal policies for a country  that his president delivers most of his efforts to an international event, are not questionable, but the fact that it is not only his name that’s been used fot “publicity” matters, but the country itself, quite says a lot of the way of its internal policies work and way of thinking of the people. A president that stands behind such peace policies, only is representing a country and a population that believe in those policies and that have forged a country that stands for non-belligerence toward other states and furthermore, that promotes a democratic system that doesn’t rely on the power of armed forces displayed by the military. Whether for personal interests or not by Arias, that’s the kind of publicity no other country can afford.

ELECTIONS AND TRIALS: A THIN LINE BETWEEN BECOMING A PRESIDENT AND A BECOMING A CONVICT.

Two weeks ago, Juan Carlos Cubillo’s voice, one of the attorneys for the Ministerio Público, was heard through the courtroom as his words were delivered toward former president and current candidate representing Partido Unidad Social Cristiana for the 2010 presidential elections, Rafael Ángel Calderón Fournier, at the final statements in the long awaited sentence to the Caja-Fischel Trial.

Caderon´s being accused by the prosecution, with two charges of embezzlement and two more of corruption related to the purchase of obsolete medical equipment for the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (C.C.S.S.), the department in charge of social security and healthcare in Costa Rica. The purchase was made possible by a given loan from the goverment of Finland.

The Fiscalía (prosecution) asked 24 years of prison for Calderon Fournier to the Tribunal Penal de Goicoechea for the alleged indicments. At the same time, seven other people are being indicted as well, for participating in the Finnish loan made possible by Corporación Fischel, a group that tied all of the accused .

Last Friday, the legal adviser for C.C.S.S., also demanded a total of $46 million to be payed to the institution in compensatory damages by the eight people involve in the accusations.

As for today, recognized in the past as one of Costa Rica`s biggest political parties, in a mostly two-party system that saw its collpase 10 years ago, Partido Unidad Social Crsitiana, is at stake once again, awaiting for the final resolution as Calderon Fournier, one of the most representative member in its lines, faces these charges.

Calderón Fournier served as president from 1990 to 1994. His father, Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, who also served as president from 1940 to 1944, was one of Costa Ricas’ leading figures in politics in the mid-twentieth century. During his term, he founded the Universidad de Costa Rica, the most prestigious university in Costa Rica and one of the top-ranked universities among Latin America; promoted the Labor Code; developed a series of reforms called the Social Guarantees, which lead the path to social security with the creation of the C.C.S.S. Coincidentially, the current trial lead agaisnt Calderón Fournier and the other people accused, involves the C.C.S.S. in a way that it was used as a decoy to make the loan possible. The institution not only suffered in the healthcare department that covers all costaricans, but was affected in their retirmement plans that includes half of the population, 2 million people approximately. Therefore, if found guilty, not only the political party will be damaged, but the Calderon family name in a way that an institution his father created to play such a big role in the development of the country, was used by a group of people, including his son, to play a out major act of corruption.

The final sentence that will be pronounced by the Trinbunal de Goicoechea, could determine, not only 2010 elections, but the way a new political system will arise within PLN (Partido Liberación nacional) and PAC (Partido Acción Ciudadana), the other two major parties at Costa Rica, that will endure, not only a tougher battle for the presidential elections, but for the number of seats at the Asamblea Legislativa, the Congress. Therefore, the closure of the trial, whatever the decission made by the judges, brings light in the horizon of Costa Rica’s legislation in terms of investigating possible acts of corruption made by public figures and servants as well as going to the top of government hierarchy. In that sense, more than a public embarassment as seen by some political analysts, the Caja-Fischel Trial brings out, not only the worst in human condition by means of acts of corruption, but the best of the social condition of a country that stands against anything that damages the public interest.

Lula and his BRIC

Lula, he may resemble Santa Claus more than Chavez or Arias do, and maybe because of that he is generally well liked everywhere he wishes go. He symbolizes the might of the Southern Cone and makes up for the Argentinian political fiascoes, the general irrelevance of Paraguay and in his association with Chaves, even passes on some of his political moderation on. And on occasion of his friend Mauricio Funes assuming the presidency of El Salvador Lula has designed something of a Central American tour, passing by Costa Rica before heading back south.

As member of the so-called BRIC, Lula posses great chance of political and economic alliance for Arias, who has wished to strengthen his bonds with Asia, specially China. The once factory worker also poses great promises of direct exchange of ideas and goods with Costa Rica, for which the circumstances of Etanol would suit fine to national policies.

Arias had already paid a visit to Lula during 2008 and now his brazilian counterpart will be arrive not short from the emotional atmosphere of the PLN convention. His visit will be regarded in all official manner and several activities have been planned in San Jose for the occasion.

Palo Verde Park redeemed

The Tribunal Ambiental, entity focused on supervising and denouncing the proper use and/or damage inflicted upon our natural resources and protected parks has forced the government to make amends for the damages caused to the Palo Verde Park when the IDA (Institute of Agricultural Development) flooded a sector of the protected area while working on the construction of canals to irrigate nearby rice and sugarcane plantations.

The issue had been denounced since early in 2000, when park authorities complained to other gubernamental agencies of the severe damage inflicted upon a “Pochote” forest. By 2007, official research concluded that the areas of la Bocana, Nicaragua, Corralillo y Quebrada la Mula –all within the protected area and nearing 3,000 acres in size- had been affected by the industrial flooding.

Just one year time is the actual frame designed by the Tribunal to have the responsible agencies do damage control. Such plans include the construction of a 6 kilometer long canal that will allow for the expulsion of the waters from the reservoir.

The Palo Verde protected area has been regarded by international agencies as a site of great environmental value and primordial wetland asset.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureates challenge trial of Suu Kyi

Oscar Arias joins the ranks of several Noble Peace Prize winners in their struggle to impede the trial of fellow laureate Aung San Suu Kyi before the Burmese justice system. The 1991 Peace Prize winner is now threatened with imprisonment over an alleged violation of the home condition forced on her since 2003. Costa Rica has released a statement which denounces the trial as “a mockery of law”.

The list of Noble Awardees includes Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams,Wangari Mathaai, Shirin Ebadi, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Rigoberta Menchú and a few more. The group wrote a letter to the UN and to the Association of Nation of South-East Asia claiming for intervention on behalf of Suu Kyi and pointing out the absurdity of the case as Burma lacks a proper judicial system.

Concerns have also been raised in regards to Suu Kyi´s health. According to international news agencies, her doctor as well as two other women who looked after her were imprisoned also . Risks of low blood pressure and dehydration are the most stressful and principal arguments presented by Human Rights organizations demanding the release of the Peace Prize winner.

Suu Kyi had received international acclaim for her work in denouncing and fighting the injustices committed in Burma throughout years of political instability and violation of human rights.

Long delayed telecommunications wave once again at risk

The reach of the power of the executive branch of our government falls painfully short as the conglomerate of institutions invested with the care taking of project development fight each other for the paying of responsibility dues in the over-stretched course of preparations for the Free Trade Treaty charter.

The office created specially for the overseeing and regularization of all aspects of the soon to explode offer of private-funded telecommunication companies is even unable to pay the salaries of it´s employees. The SUTEL –initials in spanish for the Regulating Superintendency of Telecommunications- has contested the refusal expressed by the ICE to release about 450 million colones meant for the financing of operations of the recently created and fundamental institution.

ICE’s authorities claim they will not approve the outing of the aforementioned figure as –according to them- the new law that allowed for the existence of SUTEL also failed to properly assign a recipient for the funds intended to finance the regulations of such services. In short, technicalities which stiffen the already paralyzed process much needed to permit Costa Rica to adequate to the fearsome competition challenges.

The  long-standing reluctance shown by the ICE to accept the irrevocable fact of private competition to their once holy monopoly market of local telecommunications once contested fiercely the mere likeness of a trade agreement´s existence with the US moving its massive bulk of Union leadership and labour force to the streets of San Jose with failing final electoral results. Notwithstanding, the lingering agenda of obstacles to the full execution of the treaty´s measures makes their resolve not just obvious but some might even quarrel if obnoxious.

Back on the Heredia Train

However delayed, the train route destined to relieve the over-congested and wanting Heredia-San Jose access line will begin operation during the second half of May –thus having changed the preset date of which we had informed of before. The discordance now appears to root in the lack of proper agreement between Incofer –the Costa Rican Railway Agency- and the Bus Companies that also provide transportation between the capital city and “city of flowers”.

The precise point of divergence being that of the pricing for the new train service, which would come to directly compete with the tolls applies to the existent bus lines. While the price set for the Heredia-San Jose train ticket would be of 355 colones, the majority of companies dealing in the bus service charge an approximate of $320, and if one is to consider the time efficiency offered by the train service´s premise –running to a maximum speed of 25 kph yet spared of traffic disturbances- the threat posed to the financial position of the pre-established services is more than evident.

The ARESEP (literally: Regulating Authority of Public Services) is now evaluating the setting of the starting ticket price for the train service while considering some aspects that were somewhat neglected in the current 355 C. calculation. The offered pricing for example does not consider the investment made in the purchase of the spanish train cars nor other financial technicalities. With the likeness of and adjustment performed to the Heredia Train line the ARESEP is actively attempting to prevent an en economic war between the parties involved in the daily movement of over 50,000 peoples between two of Costa Rica´s largest urbanized zones.

Without further adieu, and in view of the general readiness of our new transportation means we hope to find the service available soon enough, and if any further issues appear we´ll surely inform on them.

One drop of niceness: ID for ticket price is now a reality for the Elderly.

While some bus companies had begun using the electronic ID check devise to replace the transportation cost for the aged citizens it had not become fully a reality just until now. The CCSS has stopped the issuing of tickets and discounts destined to the elderly in view of complications the process raises in administration burdens and as it extends over an area of responsibilities which by law do not pertain to the institution.

The application of the special law for the elder person now sees fulfilled one of its most pressing goals: guaranteeing free public transportation to all citizens over the age of 65. As it is disposed, the one thing required from them would be to hand their identification cards to the bus driver so they can swipe it through an electronic device cancelling thus the previous and ancient requirement of an specific toll.

While many companies still have not adhered to the new normative, the CCSS and the National Chamber of Transportation are eyeing possibilities to safeguard and maintain the right of the elderly to travel freely, among them is the chance of actually exercising the usage of over 250,000 tickers that had been issued already for the same means. Other options are also being considered without much detail on them having been released to the press.

The application of this law has been received joyfully by most of the regular users over 65, declaring the sparing of transportation costs does little to alter the difficult financial situation that affects many of them, however dignifies their position as appreciated group within our society. Remains to be seen if similar measures will be taken for the protection of the physically challenged.

Of how the Costa Rican youth feels empowered by spraying graffiti on National Monuments…

On Last May 1st (aka Labour Day) a disgruntled group marched to the Asamblea Legislativa –as it has grown to be common thing every first day of Virgin Mary´s dedicated month- to protest the “Plan Escudo” of President Arias intended to fight the current world crisis and it´s repercussions in our country. Apart from the customary reactionary expressions so “a la mode” since Chavez times during the mid 90´s, some hooded individuals also turned to spray on the recently restored walls of the Northern flank of the National Museum.

All this appears to have been caught on video by the surveillance cameras of the Fuerza Publica (Police Force) in staggering detail: while the disenfranchised artists painted away the northern wall, police men in direct proximity failed to react accordingly. The sequence of lawful actions lingered some more; after having dispersed the people involved in the show of political unrest, some 8 people were arrested for the artistic transgression. A Judge soon after decided to let them go under the harsh request that they would not become involved in similar acts for the extenuating period of a SINGLE month.

Oh no!, said the Authorities of the Museo Nacional, and they went on to present a query of complaint to the Ministerio de Seguridad (Ministry of Inbound Security) and to the judge in charge of the coordination/regulation of acts of flagrance/minor felonies. They wish make use of the edict that decreed the building of the ancient Military Headquarters of Bellavista (Modern Museo Nacional) as Architectonic and Cultural Patrimony, thus, cancelling the prior ruling and seeking to charge the actors of the nationalistic? deed with the proper legal implications. The estimated costs in damages come near to 3 and half million Colones.

EU funds will reach local Municipalities

Despite initial confusion within the administrative bodies of local municipalities, the EU has cleared the air as far as how the funds destined in the URB-AL program are to be spent. This particular plan has as main goal the direct financial assistance to infrastructure development projects from different towns and cities in Latin America.

The interesting and “controversial” factor to the whole idea is the very precise and careful study undertaken by the EU´s regulating authority whenever analyzing the viability of each individual request. Central America had thought the URB-AL plan would simply determine a budget that would apply to each country and region and would thereafter passively monitor the development of the projects funded.

The vision and objective of the EU in this particular is entirely different, they firstly wish to have all the different town organizations and municipalities bring in their plans for infrastructure development before the delegates of the Latin America – EU Aid Commission, and thence, compete with other regional plans for the desired funding.

Mauren Clarke as San Jose´s current Mayor will oversee the direction of the program for our local interests. The URB-AL plan will thus take effect between the present year up to 2012.