ICE-ALCATEL SCANDAL:
Rodríguez Has No Immunity
According to an agreement signed in 1949 and still in effect today, former Costa Rican president, Miguel Angel Rodríguez, as new Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), he does not have immunity on acts that took place in Costa Rica.

Today's Stories: Rodríguez Has No Immunity Pacheco Speaks Out on ICE-Alcatel Scandal Former Director the First to Spend Time in Jail Costa Rica Best Social Indicators, IMF Report Italian Coffee Giant Announces New Production Plan in Costa Rica

President Pacheco was at the Juan Santamaria airport to pick up his wife, arriving from a meeting of the 'first wives' in Honduras, told reporters that he drawn the line in the sand, giving former president Rodríguez until noon Monday to give full explanations or he would be first to ask for his dismissal at the Organization of American States (OAS) where Rodríguez was proclaimed Secretary General the week earlier.

Former presidents Rafael Angel Calderón (left) and Miguel Angel Rodríguez (right), both smiling before the cameras at the last meeting of the PUSC party last March. [Foto courtesy of Al Día]

Vice-Chancellor, Marco Vinicio Vargas, the Political Constitution of Costa Rica clearly sets out that only the members of the supreme powers and Costa Rican ambassadors posted at foreign missions shall enjoy the privileges of immunity.

Rodríguez, according to the letter of the agreement, has immunity of his actions in fulfilling his duties as head of the Organization, however, the immunity does not extend past his "official" responsibilities.

Vargas also added that Rodríguez could only be dismissed with 25 of the 35 votes by the members of the OAS, this according to Article 116 of the Organization's charter.

President Pacheco, for his part, has been very vocal in expressing his pain that now in two separate scandals, involves two former presidents and both from his own party, the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC).
 

Pacheco Speaks Out on ICE-Alcatel Scandal
Pacheco told reporters that Rodríguez should give explanations for his part in the ICE-Alcatel scandal.

"The charges have me distressed and very hurt. I expect of don Miguel Ángel an answer, to explain what has happened", were the words of president Abel Pacheco.

Pacheco praised the press for it's bravery and no fear to investigate, and the Fiscalía (prosecutor's office) for being independent of politicians and an Executive branch (his administration) where nothing is covered up.

The president also said that democracy in Costa Rica continues to function. Few countries can give the example Costa Rica is giving, facing multiple scandals the people can rest assured that everyone will be investigated and if found guilty will fall, no matter who may that be.

Pacheco told reporters that there is no reason why he should ask former president Rodríguez to come to Costa Rica, because he feels that the ex-president will clear everything in coming days.

I hope that don Miguel, has good reasons for what has happened, Pacheco told reported. "In these last few days I have taken blows from those I considered friends, honest, though unfortunately they succumbed to corruption."

Pacheco concluded his comments saying that while there is no sufficient evidence for criminal activity at at the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), he will not intervene. However, the public can rest assured that his government will pull out all the roots of corruption.

Pacheco, cornered by reporters of the Spanish daily newspaper La Nación, at the Juan Santamaria airport yesterday, while he waited for the return of his wife, Leila Rodríguez, who had been a meeting of 'first wives' in Honduras, he said "I went campaigning for him with other presidents of the Americas and am now left ridiculed."

Pacheco also said he has no contact with the ex-president, nor with any of the other presidents who make up the membership at the OAS.

Former Director the First to Spend Time in Jail
Former Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) director, Joaquín Alberto Fernández Alfaro, joins the list of those accused of corruption, is the firs to spend time in jail.

He was arrested detained by the authorities on Friday and spent the first night in a jail cell at the Goicoechea courthouse while a judge decides on the preventive measures against him.

On Thursday, José Antion Lobo, another ex-director of ICE was given six months of "house arrest" after telling four prosecutors "his" story and accusing former Costa Rican president Miguel Angel Rodriguez of taking part in the payoffs.

Fernández is to have received us$1.200.000 dollars from the French telecommunications firms Alcatel.

The charges levied against him on Friday by the Fiscalía refer to his attempt to withdraw us$133.000 from an Interfin bank account.

Prosecutors were fearsome that the man may be attempting to leave Costa Rica and avoid justice, thus the reason for the preventive measures against his client, explained José Francisco Madrigal, Fernández' lawyer.

Costa Rica Best Social Indicators, IMF Report
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued it's latest report on Costa Rica, saying that despite improvements, the Costa Rican economy continues to face significant vulnerabilities.

Fiscal and external imbalances remain large, international reserves should be strengthened, the public debt and external debt are high, financial dollarization is growing and the banking system has some weaknesses that need to be addressed.

The report continues to say that the approval of the CAFTA - Central America Free Trade Agreement - and associated reforms would help support an improved growth outlook. The authorities plan to strengthen the Central Bank and the banking system's supervisory and regulatory framework is a step in the right direction.

The report also says that Costa Rica has the best social indicators in Central America. Costa Rica has made substantial progress in reducing poverty in the 1990s. Education levels are high and health indicators strong, with high life expectancy and wide access to sanitation and safe water.

Click here for the full IMF report (PDF format)
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Costa Rica's financial position in the IMF fund
 

Italian Coffee Giant Announces New Production Plan in Costa Rica
The Segrafredo Zanetti Group - world espresso leader with five million cups a day drunk worldwide - will on October 4th, open in Costa Rica, a new production plant of Beneficio La Eva and the export house Santa Laura Exportadora de Cafe' S.L.E.C.

Massimo Zanetti, the chairman, and local authorities will be present at the ceremonies.

For the group with 12 plants worldwide and 2.500 employees and a turnover of 568 million euro - the purchase in Costa Rica, signed in June reinforces production and know-how relative to raw materials.

The production plants of Beneficio La Eva and the export offices of Santa Laura will employ 40people.

The volcanic soil around the town of Sarchi provides all the production, especially the best coffee, in an area with a large Sicilian population.