Arias Wants Chang For Vice President
Even though his family has been clear that he has no political ambition or party affiliation, Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) presidential candidate, Óscar Arias, says he wants Franklin Chang for his vice-president.

He expressed his interest in Chang at a meetin go the Cámara de Industrias (Industrial Chamber of Commerce).

"I would be honoured if Chang could accompany me in the presidential ballot. He is well known outside (Costa Rica) and could attract investment in high technology to the country, he can talk to rich countries.", said Arias.

It was precisely yesterday that Chang announced his retirement at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)  to work on his personal science projects, mainly to focus on the development of a plasma engine. He was at NASA for the last 25 years and participated in various space missions.

Chang has made it clear in the past that he has no political aspirations and does not want to get involved in politics and has no political affiliation to any one party.

Arias says that the Costa Rican scientist and astronaut would be the "ideal ambassador" even though he admitted not having talked to Chang personally about it, though he will look forward to doing so soon.

"I am very much interested in talking to him (Chang) about it as it would be very beneficial for Costa Rica and an honour for me", added Arias.

Referring to the possibility of Fiscal General, Francisco Dall’Anesse, Arias did not discard that possibility, saying that the country has an high opinion of Dall'Anesse and in politics a high confidence level is not easy and Dall'Anesse could help him bring back confidence in politics in the minds of Costa Ricans.

In his talk to the industrialists, Arias told that his future government's priority will be to fight poverty, deepen commercial relations with other countries and to fight corruption. He added that the country needs a sound economic direction that will help attract foreign investment. Establishing incentives for business and to end "certain" monopolies will be a focus of his administration, Arias told his audience.

Arias also said that is important that the Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) - the Free Trade Agreement with the United States - be approved and that it have the support of the working class and union leaders.