"Arias Left Behind in the Cold War", Union Leader Charges
Albino Vargas, secretary general of the Asociación Nacional de Empleados Públicos y Privados (ANEP) - the powerful public workers union - showed his anger at the comments by the ministro de la Presidencia, Rodrigo Arias, who called him an "extremist union leader".

"Rodrigo Arias has left behind in the Cold War and with his frozen thinking", said Vargas.

For the minister's comments, the ANEP will charge the government before the Organización Internacional del Trabajo (ILO - International Labour Organization) for union harassment. "We are facing an authoritarian government which does not flinch at trampling over the Political Constitution of the country. Things are going to get worse and that is why we are preparing to battle in the international arena", said Vargas.

The union leader added that Costa Rica is obligated to respect international conventions that it has signed.

The war of words between the union leader and the government comes after the approval of the Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLC) - free trade agreement with the United States - was approved by a legislative commission and is one step closer to becoming a reality, as it will be discussed and voted on in the full Legislature in January.

Vargas is upset of the attitude of minister Arias, who has also criticized Ottón Solís, leader of the Partido Acción Cuidadana (PAC) and the ANEP for announcing that it will take the TLC to the streets in full protest against the trade deal.

Yesterday, Solís, who lost the presidential race to Oscar Arias last February, announced that he will participate in the protests, a change of position he announced last October, when he said that he and his party would sit out any protests planned by the unions.

Vargas added that the words of Solís motivated him to plan his defense of unconstitutionality and that his charge will be received by the international labour organization next week.