Franklin Chang For President? He Says NO.
With a friendly smile and wave of his had, Costa Rican astronaut Franklin Chang ruled out any possibility of running for president of Costa Rica and reaffirmed his conviction that he could do more for the country from private business.

The scientist and retired NASA astronaut told the Spanish daily La Prensa Libre that he is now busy with his new venture, a private company to develop a plasma engine that will be used in future space travel and has no political aspirations.

Chang said that all Costa Ricans should be involved in the country's politics and that is how we can choose our leaders and maintain sovereignty. 

The scientist said that he can better help from outside of government, being involved politically as a "responsible citizen", as all Costa Ricans should, and try to find solutions facing the country and now that he is in Costa Rica he can help the government of the day, independent of party politics.

Chang added that he sees himself more effective from the outside that from being part of a government. Asked if he saw himself as a presidential candidate, he clearly said he is not interested. Chang added that, from his position on the outside, he is free of any party politics, and can offer solutions to problems without any ties. "I am interest in the country not the parties", said Chang.

Chang added that president Arias did not offer him any government post, nor would he have accepted, preferring to participate in projects where the interest of the country are foremost and not of any political party.

Chang participated in the "Plan de Medio Siglo" project and was named a "notable" by former president Abel Pacheco in matters of the free trade agreement with the United States or the Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLS< as it is known locally.

Asked about his thoughts on the TLC and the need for Costa Rica to be part of globalization, scientist Chang said that Costa Rica has enjoyed a good life since the Revolución del 48 (the revolution of 1948) and since has emerged on the world stage. However, slowly, that participation has decreased and poverty has increased and the gap between the poor and the rich has grown and these are things that we have to face and correct, which the scientist and former astronaut believes the free trade the agreement with the United States will do.