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Approval Of TLC
Possibly By Referendum
The Tribunal Supremo de
Elecciones (TSE) guarantees that
it will hold a referendum if it
is asked to do so for the
approval of the Tratado de Libre
Comercio (TLC) - free trade
agreement with the United
States.
In the TSE resolution, it
authorized the collection of
132.000 signatures for a
referendum to be held.
The Tribunal resolved on the
issue following a consultation
by former legislative deputy and
presidential candidate, José
Miguel Corrales and others.
The question to be asked in the
referendum, according to the
Tribunal, is "¿aprueba usted el
tratado de libre comercio entre
República Dominicana,
Centroamérica y Estados Unidos?"
(do you approve the trade
agreement between the Dominican
Republic, Central America and
the United States).
The Tribunal made it clear that
if the legislature decides that
the trade agreement requires
only 20 votes, then 30% of the
census roll must participate in
the referendum. However, if the
trade deal requires 38 votes,
then 40% of the census roll is
required for it to be binding,
according to the Tribunal.
Costa Rican president Oscar
Arias said yesterday that they
are studying the TSE resolution
and today (Friday) a press
conference will be held to
communicate the government's
position on the matter.
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