Closer ties between TT and Costa Rica

THE EDITOR: On Monday September 15, Costa Rica celebrated its national independence day. Consequent upon the development of closer ties between Costa Rica and our country and among Caricom countries, the inauguration of airline (BWIA) schedule services, sporting links and trading links, both international and national and even earlier this year the vice presidency of the International Criminal Court, I wish to extend cordial greetings and pay tribute to and congratulate Costa Rica on its national Independence. I would like to do a commentary on Costa Rica by outlining its history, geography and significance, in two parts and should appreciate if you would kindly accommodate my projection in your widely read and prestigious Newsday Newspaper.

Costa Rica is the gem of Central America, a Caribbean nation, with 135 miles of Caribbean seacoast mostly straight to the east with Port Limon the only small indentation. Port Limon is its chief port. It is also a Pacific nation with a Pacific coastline of some 635 miles which accommodates the Peninsula and Gulf of Nicoya to the north and the Peninsula of Osa and Gulf Dulce to the south. Costa Rica was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502 on his fourth journey west and which he claimed possession of on behalf of the Spanish Crown, while still in search of the elusive El Dorado. Costa Rica means rich coast. It is believed that there were mineral deposits in the area and it is said that Columbus spent 17 days at Port Limon when he arrived in 1502. While there were Spanish movements into and out of Costa Rica it was not until 1564 that Spain established a permanent settlement in what is now Cartago, a city just south-east of San Jose its capital.

Costa Rica, with some other possessions, in 1821 unilaterally declared its independence from Spain. This was not generally accepted or recognised by Spain. With the others, Costa opted to join the Mexican Empire which arrangement did not hold and was terminated in 1823. With the other Central American nations, Costa Rica was instrumental in forming a confederation “The United Provinces of Central America.” This, too, was short-lived and finally dissolved in 1838, each country going its separate way, but to all appearances in touch with each other, as further developments would show. The dissolution of the United Provinces of Central America encouraged countries from both sides of the Atlantic and filibusters and mercenaries to try for possession and/or control of some or all of the Central American countries which came to a head in the mid 1850s when filibusters and mercenaries under filibuster William Walker invaded Nicaragua in 1855 and was progressing to the Costa Rican border.

Costa Rican then President Juan Raphael Mora, without an army, called Costa Ricans to arms, declared war on Walker and his mercenaries and on March 1, 1856 and succeeded in frustrating their advance and expelling them from Nicaragua which was a turning point in Costa Rican and Central American history. Mora’s term of office was referred to as “very eventful and rewarding” and covered a period of ten years — 1849-1859). His term saw the opening of the National Commercial Bank (the first), opening of many schools and the first street lighting among other developments. In 1871, Costa Rica adopted its first Constitution which held until 1949.

Costa Rican woman is ICJ Vice President

The General Elections of 1948 was won by Otilio Ulate to be President and Head of State. The National Assembly declared the elections illegal and sought to overturn the elections. This caused Colonel Jose Figuera to lead a revolt in favour of the elected Ulate and what he said was a “threatened communist takeover” and installed himself as interim president, during which he disbanded the army, introduced a new Constitution and in 1949 he installed the elected Ulate as President and Head of State. In 1987, then president of Costa Rica Oscar Arias Sanchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his mediation efforts and successes in conflicts between Nicaragua and El Salvador. In 1998 the elections were won by Miguel Angel Rodriguez of the Social Christian Liberation Party (PUSC).

There were at least 11 other candidates representing the National Liberation Party, a former governing party and this election made history in (1) It was the first time a black candidate was presented as a candidate (2) It was the first time that both parties presented females for the vice presidency (3) It was the first time that a female won and was elected vice president to wit Dr Elizabeth Odeo who served under President Miguel Angel Rodriguez from 1998 to 2002. Interestingly, it is the same Dr Elizabeth Odeo who was nominated and elected judge and subsequently Vice President of the International Court of Justice at the Hague in the Netherlands (Holland) to which our own Karl Hudson Phillips QC, was also elected a judge.

The incumbent president of Costa Rica is Abel Pacheco who took office on April 7, 2002 after a run off election. It is the first time in 45 years that the same party has succeeded itself. In Costa Rica voting is mandatory. All eligible citizens are required to vote. However, there is provision in which one can present his or her voting card and pay a fine and other minor considerations.

ANTHONY MORA
Arouca