Arias: "We Cannot Go On Discussing the TLC for the next four years"
The decision by the Sala Constitucional (Constitutional Court) on the procedure to approve the Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) - free trade agreement with the United States - has not pleased president Oscar Arias.

Notwithstanding, the president is confident even though there are errors in the trade agreement it will receive a positive vote, he said during a Consejo de Seguridad de San José.

Arias laments the pace at which the country is moving towards ratifying the trade deal, something that he says does not happen in other countries in the region.

"Costa Rica has to choose if it will bend towards isolation, protectionism and move forward in ushering a small economy like our to the world economy", said Arias.

According to Arias, if the first is chosen the growth rate will be less and unemployment and poverty will increase, however if it chosses the latter, it has to do it soon, "we cannot go on discussing the TLC for the next four years", said Arias.

The president is confident that he has the support of 38 legislators to approve the trade deal. "What is important is that the 38 votes is a coalition of five minor parties, in this parliament there is no on in the majority", said Arias.

Arias appears not to fear the protests against the TLC and the union leaders threats to paralyze the country, saying he confides in the "maturity" of Costa Ricans. Arias added that Costa Rica is a country of rights and that is why he respects the decision of the Constitutional Court.

The Court decision says that all the appeals by legislators to the trade agreement must be discussed, eliminating the "fast track" process that the Arias government has been pushing for.