Natural Water Resource Protected Under TLC
The Comisión de Asuntos Internacionales de la Asamblea Legislativa (legislative commission on international affairs) has decided to include text in the Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLC) - free trade agreement with the United Sttes, that would defend the state control over the exploitation of natural water sources.

The text is to clear up any possible misinterpretation was presented by Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) legislator, Maureen Ballestero, which, once the motion is approved, will dispell any fear of environmental groups over the natural resource.

According to the clause inserted into the trade agreement, the state would continue to exercise control over the regulation and use of water as a "dominio pública" (public domain).

PLN party chief, Mayi Antillón, denied that the TLC would see natural water resources exploited by falling into private hands as the trade agreement gets ready to be ratified by next month.

"The subjectof water has been sanitized. It has been said that water will dry water because it will be bottled and taken away, disappearing water from our rivers. It has been said that the same happened in Mexico with the approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a product of a disportionate trade", said Antillón,

Antillón added that her party will not let that happen as it passes legislation to protect the natural resource.

"Costa Ricans will never have to worry about their water, included in our legislation is the prohibition of exporting of natural resources if they become dry. We have bullet proof legislation", said Antillón.