Figueres Key Note Speaker At Global Warming Conference
Former president Jose María Figueres Olsen, who has refused to return to Costa Rica to answer questions on his role in the ICE-Alcatel scandal, where he admits to receiving us$900.000 in payment for consulting services, has been chosen as the keynote speaker at the inaugural UAE Global Climate Change Conference, dedicated to global climate change.

The 'Global Warming: The Role of the Business Community' conference will be held on Sunday, 28 January 2007 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai.

Held under the patronage of Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of the Dubai Municipality, the UAE Global Climate Change Conference is an initiative of Dubai Industrial City and Dubai Recycling Park, a project of the National Projects Holding Co. The conference will provide a vital opportunity for leaders of the local business community to discuss the issues surrounding global climate change and develop potential solutions.

"We no longer have the luxury of time. According to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), 2006 was the world's 6th warmest year on record," stated Figueres. "We must take major steps towards promoting sustainable development and making a proactive impact on global climate change - in the private sector in the UAE, the Middle East region, and globally as a whole."

"Global warming is the single most dangerous threat to the world today," said Musaed Al-Saleh, Vice Chairman and CEO of National Projects Holding Co. "Dubai Recycling Park and Dubai Industrial City share a common vision to encourage Middle East organisations to ensure the safety of future generations. This conference is in line with our goals of leading the way in the local community for environmental and socially responsible investments."

Currently Figueres is the CEO of the Grupo Felipe IV in Madrid, and in this capacity he continues his commitment to development and technology and participates in a number of projects and endeavours in the international arena.

In Cost Rica, Figueres has been asked to appear before a legislative commission to answer questions of his connection to the French telecommunications firm, Alcatel, who won the multi million dollar contract to install a GSM cellular network in Costa Rica, and allegedly paid bribes to various highly placed ICE officials and former Costa Rican president, Miguel Angel Rodríguez.

Figueres admitted receiving payment from Alcaltel for services rendered. The payment, accordingt to Figueres, came after he left office.

 

Editor's Note:
The following letter was received on 28 January 2007, sent by Mr. Figueres himself, who says the above statements are incorrect and offers the correction as follows:

Dice usted que me he negado a comparecer ante una Comision del Congreso. Los hechos son que envie un declaracion jurada a tal Comision y que el 6 de Setiembre del 2005 la JUez Maria Morales Diaz fallo a mi favor el que no hubiera atendido los pedidos politicos de tal Comision.

Dice usted que acepte recibir dineros de Alcatel. Esto es falso – ni lo he aceptado, ni los he recibido.