Weekly review

Extension for FTA

The other six nations partaking in the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) granted Costa Rica an additional seven months to approve the implementation agenda, whose deadline was February 29th and is now October 1st, 2008. However, the USTR Susan Schwab said that it is expected that Costa Rica finishes the process before the new deadline.

Global warming

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Global warming is not fiction; it is not a normal cycle of the planet; it is reality with dramatic consequences in all of the planet’s ecosystems; and it is time to awaken to this problem, because the sole option is acting now, Climate Project operations director Gary Dunham said at state National University in Heredia. An NGO, Climate Project is led by former U.S. Vice-President and Nobel Peace Award Al Gore. Mr. Dunham, as well as scientists from Italy, Spain, Chile, Ecuador and Argentina partook in a series of lectures aimed at promoting awareness on global warming and the role everyone should play to soothe its consequences.

More funds for the environment

The National System of Conservation Areas increased its budget fro 2008 by 28 percent, in comparison to last year’s. According to Minister of the Environment Roberto Dobles, the increase is aimed at improving the conservation tasks through a larger allowance of financial and human resources. Central Pacific Conservation Area manager Jose Calderon admitted that even though the resources are not enough to meet all the needs, “we are better off by far now.”

Ties with Israel

The Israeli Ambassador Ehud Eitam, tried to soothe the likely deterioration of the relations between his country and Costa Rica, resulting from the establishment of relations between the Central American nation and the Palestinian Authority. The possibility of deterioration emerged when a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the cancellation of a bilateral meeting to be held in Costa Rica. The spokesman said that there was disappointment with Costa Rica’s regrettable decision. Ambassador Eitam, however, said that he wishes “the excellent and extraordinary friendship” with Costa Rica continue with “our peoples and countries” for many more years.

German investment

A delegation of German businessmen visited Costa Rica aiming at eventual investment here. They are members of the Lateinamerika Verein (LAV), an organization that promotes trade and social relations between Germany, the European Union and Latin America. Construction and renewable energy sources were at the top of the list of areas to be explored, which also includes the expansion of facilities at the Port of Limon. Costa Rican-German Chamber of Commerce executive director Alberto Arguedas pointed out that Costa Rica is Germany’s leading trade partner in Central America.

$72.5 million for Limon

The World Bank pledged granting Costa Rica $72.5 million for the modernization of the Caribbean city port of Limon. President Oscar Arias, Finance Minister Guillermo Zuniga, and World Bank director for Central America Laura Frigenti signed the contract.

Plane lost 65 years ago

The debris of a Vultee BT-13 Valiant belonging to the Chilean Air Force and lost in 1943 were found in the Costa Rican Central Mountain Range. Even though there are reports of the finding of the wreck in 1963, there is no record of that event, according to official sources. The plane was en route from San Antonio, Texas, to Santiago, Chile, and the crew consisted of a pilot and a mechanic. Chilean authorities plan to take part of the wreck back to their country, in order to exhibit them at the Aeronautics Museum.

A sea of black T-shirts

Saprissa Stadium in San Jose hosted a concert by Iron Maiden. The group’s fans flocked in thousands, not only from Costa Rica but also from all of the neighboring countries. A description of the crowd by a daily La Nación staff writer was “A sea of black T-shirts,” all bearing the name of the group and highlighting its pet, Eddie. Such was the excitement for the concert that some youngsters camped at the stadium 72 hours ahead of time.