San José, Costa Rica -   Thursday 07 October 2004

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The Secretary General of the Organization of American States and former Costa Rican president, Miguel Angel Rodriguez,  gets an explanation of the current situation by Lt. Coronel Santiago Terreyra, in charge of the Argentine U.N. peacekeeping battalion, in Gonaives, Haiti, Wednesday, Oct. 6. Rodriguéz faces more  allegations of corruption at home in Costa Rica. [AP Photo/Kent Gilbert] Click for larger image!

insidenicaragua A new weekly feature published on Sundays, featuring a summary  of current news and events in Nicaragua.

PRESIDENTIAL SCANDAL
Alcatel Firm Paid Rodríguez Credit Cards
The records shows that on July 31, 2002, former president, Miguel Angel Rodríguez's, account at the BICSA Bank was paid by a cashier's cheque drawn from the Banco Cuscatlán account helt by Servicios Notariales Q.C., the same firm that made the other payments to former members of Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) directors on behalf of Alcatel.

PRESIDENTIAL SCANDAL
More Bad News for Rodriguéz
Another accusation against Rodriguéz is being brought to light by Noticias Repretel, the television channel 6 news team, that the former president received us$200.000 in commission for the underground cabling contract that is underway in San José.

Ericsson Asks Costa Rica Court To Restore $130M Contract
The Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson said Wednesday it is asking Costa Rica's top court to restore a $130 million contract that has been nixed by the national Contraloría General de La Republica (Comptroller's office).

ICE Expects Shortage of Cellular Lines Starting December
As expected, the cancellation of the Ericsson contract and the problems with Alcatel, Pablo Cob, president of Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) confirmed yesterday that come December there will be a shortage of cellular telephone lines.

Anti Corruption Law Passed
President Abel Pacheco yesterday signed the "Law Against Illicit Enrichment and Corruption,” which had been approved in second debate by the Legislative Assembly last month.

This Year to Date 14 Arrested on Sexual Abuse of Minors
Rogelio Ramos, Ministro de Seguridad Publica, confirmed that police have in custody a mathematics professor and systems engineer are accused of abusing at least 45 minors between the ages of 12 and 16.

Costa Rican National Forum on Shark Finning
For the first time ever, members of Costa Rica’s government, Costa Rican fishermen, marine biologists, and concerned citizens are coming together to publicly discuss the controversial issue of shark finning and the landing of shark fins at private docks in Puntarenas, Costa Rica's largest Pacific port.

Brazil agrees on IAEA inspection of its nuclear facilities
Brazil has agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect some of its nuclear facilities and an accord will be signed this week, diplomats said Wednesday.

9 killed in clashes between insurgents in Colombia
At least nine people were killed when two insurgent groups fought for the control of Choco in western Colombia, police said Wednesday.

Venezuelan vice president ends Russian tour
Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel concluded an official visit to Russia on Wednesday after signing the final document on a first inter-governmental commission.

International News from the New York Times
 

SPECIAL REPORTS: ENVIRONMENT-PANAMA: Harpy Eagles Take Flight Again Thanks to Panama, the remarkable harpy eagle may soon fly free of its endangered status. But for that to happen, the harmful actions of humans must stop -- and it would still take 20 to 25 years. Panama is the only Latin American country that has focused its attention on protecting this eagle species, ''Harpia harpyja'', which for hundreds of years flew over an area stretching from Mexico to Argentina, but began to disappear as a result of destruction of its habitat and because it was targeted by hunters. After four years of work, the Panama Peregrine Fund recently released five harpy eagles, all hatched in captivity. Two have already established territory in protected areas of Panama, and the other three are in nature parks in Belize.

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