TLC Will Go To
Legislative Assembly in August
According to President Abel Pacheco, his skepticism over the Tratado
Libre de Comercio (TLC) - free trade agreement - and the Tax Plan,
is based solely on the last of support he has been receiving.
His latest comments were directed at the business community,
telling them that he alone is fighting for the agreement to get
passed through the Legislative house, while everyone else sits back
and wathces.
In a strong statememnt to businessmen, he told them that they need
to support the government and help convince Costa Ricans the
importance and the benefits of the trade agreement. Pacheco added
that the business community can't leave the fight only to him and
him alone.
Members of the Unión de Cámaras commented on the president's
statement, saying that they are not going to walk the streets in
protest, holding signs and shouting and chanting for free trade.
Samuel Yankelewitz, a spokesperson for the chamber was quoted as
saying "don Abel doesn't recognize the support the Unión de Cámaras
has given him, we are not going to buy ads in the newspapers every
day, trying to convince Costa Ricans... this is the job of
government."
Some legislators have publicly commented that president Pacheco is
making an error by not sending the TLC agreeement to the
Legislature, as the discussion will be long, requiring lots of time
for the debates, given the strong feelings both for and against the
agreement.
Pacheco countered in saying that he had seen no reason to speed the
process in such a conflictive proposal, given that the Americans
aren't given the agreement any priority. However, with a change of
attitude, he announced that the TLC agreement would be brought to
the Legislative Assembly in the nearest future.
Foreign Trade Minister, Alberto Trejos, confirmed that the agreement
would face the Legislature as early as August of this year.
The announcement by the president was made at an event hosted by the
Florida Bebidas who was celebrating with the announcement of the
first shipment of Imperial beer to California.
Tougher Immigration Requirements Announced
An announcement in new immigration requirements announced
this week is to ensure that criminals and "mafiosos" don't enter
Costa Rica.
According to Marco Badilla, Director de Migración y Extranjería, all
foreigners who are required to have a visa to enter Costa Rica, will
be required to submit to stricter scrutiny.
New immigration rules in effect this week, will require restricted
visa visitors to Costa Rica to visit the Costa Rican consulate in
their country to "officialize" all their documents. In the past,
visitors only had to have their documents notarized by a notary
public.
Among the countries affected by the new rules are; Cuba, China,
Iran, India, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Croacia,
Cameroon, Pakistan, Palestine and Haiti.
Americans, Canadians and Central Europeans don't need a visa to
enter Costa Rica and only are required to present a passport for a
visitor stay of up to 90 days. According to Badilla, this group
represents 80% of tourism to Costa Rica.
Visitors with restricted visa need to now present a formal request
to visit Costa Rica, detailing the intent of their visit and the
length of their stay. Those who want to enter as investors need the
support of CINDE (Coalisión de Iniciativas para el Desarrollo),
while those who are intent on importing and exporting will require
approval from PROCOMER (Promotora de Comercio Exterior) and post a
$100.000 bond.
Artists and sports professionals will also be affected by the new
regulation, as they will be required to present a signed contract by
the institution who is inviting their participation in Costa Rica.
Immigration director, Badilla and Rogelio Ramos, Minister of Public
Security, say the new rules are to ensure that undesirables as was
the case detected last week when a group of "mafiosos" and one
suspected terrorist, was to have travelled to Costa Rica.
Weak spots in
economy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) pointed out the weaknesses of
the economy of Costa Rica, remarking the delay in applying
structural reforms and the growing public debt as compared to the
national output.
To the negative aspects, the IMF adds the losses incurred by the
Central Bank and the lack of competitiveness. It pointed out that
the economy is vulnerable to changes such as increases in interest
rates and in the prices of fuels.
The report, based on a recent visit to Costa Rica by a delegation of
the Fund, points out the strengths, weaknesses, and risks of the
economy in the short and mid term.
On the other hand, it states that in 2003 Costa Rica had a positive
performance, with the Gross Domestic Product increasing by 5.6
percent, inflation below 10 percent, contention of the public sector
spending, and the negotiation of a free trade agreement with the
United States.
RACSA Claims to Have Bettered Internet Access
RACSA - the state owned provider of internet service - announced
yesterday that it has increased it's capacity by 33%, providing
better and faster service to it's subscribers connecting to the
world wide web.
According to information published by RACSA, it assures that the new
connection speed of 465MB per second will provide substantially
better service in data communication.
The increase was achieved at one of the two underwater cables, the
Maya 1 cable - that connect Costa Rica to the rest of the world. The
fibre optic cable, which permits a large amount of data and voice
communications, runs underwater in the Caribbean. The other cable is
called Arcos 1, which also runs underwater in the Caribbean.
Isidro Serrano, general manager for the Radiográfica Costarricense,
said that with the increased service of the Maya 1 cable and the
Global Crossing cable in the Pacific that ICE - the parent company
of RACSA - is planning of opening soon will ensure a continuous
connection at all times.
In Costa Rica only ICE and RACSA can provide internet service given
the state monopoly on telecommunications.
RACSA says that 24% of all Costa Ricans connect to the internet on a
regular basis, either at home, work, school or internet cafés.
RACSA has some 600 business customers, 70,000 dial up accounts and
6.000 cable modem customers and estimates some 25.000 customers who
use their “900 en Línea” or internet cards which require no
contract.
COPA AMERICA:
Costa Rica Loses to Paraguay
The downtown afternoon rush wasn't filled with cars, people rushing,
crowds at each corner.
At every bar, in front of every television set, soccer fans were
glued to the game, the first game of Group C of the Copa America.
A penalty kick in the dying minutes of the game saw Costa Rica lose
to Paraguay. The final score, Costa Rica 0, Paraguay 1.
Throughout the game, Paraguay were the dominant side but their
strikers were unable to score from the created chances as the
average level of both teams was lower than hoped for.
Paraguay and Costa Rica share group C with favorites Brazil and
Chile. Brazil defeated Chile 1-0 in their match yesterday.
Costa Rica faces Brazil on Sunday.
Click here for the Copa America website.
 News
Briefs
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The Archbishop of San José, monseñor Hugo Barrantes, announced that he will
terminate financial support to finance the defense of father Mínor Calvo
Aguilar, who is in jail awaiting trial for his supposed role in the murder
of journalist Parmenio Medina. The church had been funding Calvo's defence
with a 1.5 Million colones per month payment. Calvo is charged with being
one of the principal authors of the murder of Medina three years ago.
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Experts assure that the recent activity at the Arenal Volcano is normal. On
July 2, the volcano spewed ashes and gases that put Comisión Nacional de
Emergencias - emergency crews- and neighbours of La Fortuna on alert.
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