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Protests Yes, Blockades No.
President Asks of Union Leaders
Costa Rican president, Oscar
Arias Sánchez, sent a note to
union leaders, Albino Vargas,
Fabio Chávez and José Antonio
Barquero, asking that come
Monday and Tuesday, the days set
for the national protest, that
they keep one of half of the
roads open so that the rest of
the Costa Rican can go about
their daily lives.
The union leaders have called on
their membership to take to the
streets in protest of the
passing of the Tratado Libre de
Comercio (TLC) - free trade
agreement with the United States
(CAFTA) - as public
institutions, including
hospitals, clinics and schools
will be affected.
"In a democracy like ours,
respectful of differing
opinions, that rejects violence
and loves peace and dialogue, I
think that people protesting is
absolutely normal. I have asked
the police to be out without
their guns and would like to ask
the union leaders, that one of
the things that angers most
Costa Ricans, are the blocked
streets. Therefore, I will ask
that we not use one side of the
street, to allow traffic flow on
the other side", said president
Arias in his message.
The president added that he has
asked Karla González, minister
of public works and transport,
to ensure that the Policía del
Tránsito (traffic police)
guarantee that one half of the
roads are kept open for
vehicular traffic.
The president reiterated that he
is respectful of democracy and
will respect the protest by
public sector employees, as they
form part of rights given to the
citizens in a democracy to
express their opinions.
President Arias added that the
Fuerza Pública (police) will be
out in full force during the two
days of protest as the
Legislature and government is
being pressured into abandoning
the trade agreement, but,
stressed that the police will
not be armed.
The protest is ready to go for
Monday October 23 and Tuesday
October 24, as the unions
attempt to completely paralyze
the country.
The government made it clear in
a statement yesterday that it
will dock the pay of those
workers who do not show up for
work.
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