The "Old Man"
Wasn't That Nuts After All; Don Abel Pacheco
Says He Satisfied At the Decision Over The
San Juan
Costa Rican president, Abel Pacheco
(2002-2006) who critics called him nuts for
his decision to send the dispute with
Nicaragua over the San Juan river to the
international court was vindicated this week
after the United Nations court voted in
favour of Costa Rica in most of the
arguments presented.
Pacheco told the La Republica that the
decision by the Court was just and balanced,
very logical adding that the decision was a
very wise one by the justices of the court.
For Pacheco, he recalls all the criticism,
not just of the San Juan decision, but for
everything he did or did not do. For
Pacheco, in Costa Rica it is very difficult
to make crucial decisions.
The former president said he recalls the
criticism when he put his hands on reforming
pensions and Riteve, where tear gas had to
be used to deal with protests. However, the
former president feels satisfied now that
the pensions system has order and vehicles
have to go through an annual inspection.
Now, critics, according to Pacheco, have
bite their lip because he wasn't so crazy
after all.
Pacheco said that people are now
understanding that all he did was in good
faith and that he is used to criticism and
really didn't take much notice. "II had a
tough life, so I do not mind", said Pacheco.
For Pacheco the Nicaraguans are within their
right not to allow Costa Rican authorities
to navigate their river armed. "Why bother
the 'Nicas' patrolling (the river) armed",
the former president asked rhetorically.
Asked about how the country is doing today,
Don Abel responded by saying he is happy,
especially for the way he left things, a
country on the move, despite all they can
say.
Pacheco has been quiet for the last three or
so years, not commenting one way or the
other on the country's situation or the
current government.
"Either I am sick in the head or blind or
people have to realize that we provided a
good government. And so it is, people are no
realizing that we governed well.
"People can now say this old man knew and
was not wrong at all", said Pacheco.
Asked about CAFTA, more on the reason for
not pushing for it, the former president
said that they saw that the trade agreement
was all the wonder it was at the beginning
and saw that it wasn't worth to bloody a
country that was polarized, which was
evidenced by the referendum held by the
Arias government, where the vote in favour
was by the smallest of margin.
Pacheco said that being president is no
game, remembering the time he was threatened
with death when he introduced the TICA
systems at customs. "Look today, I am
sitting here fat and with a belly and no one
killed me", said Pacheco.
The "old man" is die hard Socialcristiano,
following the leadership of Calderón
Guardia.
Asked how he sees the party today, he
responded with "what party?".
Pacheco today says he is removed from party
politics, but continues to the
Socicalcristiano and hopes that the ideals
of the Socialcristiano resurfaces.
Asked how he would restore the party, he
said "we the old guard should all retire and
let the young carry the flag".
The former president said that painfully he
sees no future for the party in the 2010
presidential elections, blaming the current
administration of the party.
Asked if he sees the country better off
today because of his work, Pacheco gave
praise to current president Oscar Arias, for
doing many good things, although he
disagrees with some of the decisions made
the Arias brothers.
Breaking off diplomatic relations with
Taiwan in favour of China is one of the
decisions he disagrees with, preferring to
leave his commentaries on the Arias
administration at just that.
Asked what he would if he were president
again, if for only one day, Pacheco
responded with "Machalá, Machalá, I touch
wood"
The former president said he is satisfied
and although realizes he left things undone,
he added that everything is very difficult
in the country, the legislation, the
Constitutional Court, the Comptroller's
office. "Here, you have to ask for
permission to move one foot to another",
said Pacheco.
Pacheco says he has spent his time after
leaving the presidency being a grandfather
to his 12 grandchildren and a
great-granddaughter and spending his time
planting endangered species in his Ezparsa
farm.
Don Abel Pacheco can be frequently seen at
Plaza Mayor, a few blocks from his home,
where he enjoys talking to people and
listening to their comments.
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