Today new regulations enter into effect for taxi drivers, even as concern over the upcoming 32% hike in rates is tangible. Taxi drivers must wear blue dress pants and white short sleeve shirts in order to comply with an executive decree that is now in effect. Shorts and jeans are not allowed, although in certain climates exceptions are permitted as long as the same colors are used.

Taxi drivers are divided about the regulations, with some seeing it as a good way to establish a professional standard. Others believe that the government doesn’t have the right to tell them which uniform to use.  There is no traffic ticket for not complying with the new code, but non-compliance could lead to revocation of the taxi permit.

The new US ambassador to Costa Rica, Mark Langdale, will present his credentials today to President Abel Pacheco.  Langdale will take over from John Danilovich, who left the post in June 2004. Langdale was confirmed last Friday by the US Senate.

The founder of Caprock Communications, which develops and operates fiber optic telecommunications lines, stated that his first concern was to watch the progress of the CAFTA agreement in Congress. 

The main positive that Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco is bringing back from the IV Summit of the Americas is "permission" from US President Bush for Costa Rica to take all the time that is needed for the CAFTA agreeement to come to a vote before the assembly.  Currently discussion of the agreement is delayed, because it must be published in La Gaceta (all 3000 pages) before congress can open it to debate.

Bush stated to Pacheco that "You are doing the right thing" in response to Pacheco’s explanation of why Costa Rica is taking so much longer to vote on the treaty than its neighbors.  Pacheco and his Minister of International Commerce Manuel González said they were pleased with the meeting and ready to support fully the debate over CAFTA.

Pacheco expressed his disappointment in what he sees as the lack of progress in these summits, of which this will be his last. "Sincerely, I am anguished and worried that even after attending so many summits, we are in the same place as where we started.  We are worried about the indigenous peoples,  but we said that 3 years ago.  We are worried about narcotics trafficking, we said that too. Poverty, not in Costa Rica but in general, is rising.  We are worried about that. "  In summary, he continued, the summits cost a lot of time and money, but so far produce more good intentions than concrete results.

In a feverish attempt to actually pass some sort of  legislation, PLN and PUSC representatives have proposed a plan to bring to vote projects that actually have support of the majority of legislators. The plan would be to vote on projects that are local in nature and are not controversial during the short December session.

Some parties oppose the initiative, "What they want is to return to their communities with trophies in hand during the recess: a project approved" said, Marta Zamora, leader of PAC (Citizens Action Party).  Zamora and Humberto Arce, of the Patriotic Union Party, agree that these projects will interfere with the approval of important laws like the Water Resources Act.

Around 60 bills would benefit from the proposed agenda.

Costa Rica, Guatemala or Panamá are the places where Mexico is considering the installation of a refinery that can process "Maya" petroleum for sale in all of Central America. Costa Rican President Pacheco announced this as positive news upon his return from Argentina. 

"Maya" petroleum is a heavy oil produced in Mexico and must undergo a special process in order to be converted to usable fuel.  The refinery would supply products for the Central American market. Another project discussed was the construction of a gas pipeline from Mexico to the region.

A fuel leak from a gas station in Barreal de Heredia has not been attended to in over 1 year, and now the CNE (National Emergency Commission) has requested that a national emergency be declared.  The contamination threatens aquifers that provide drinking water for over 320 000 people.

Funding and action is necessary, so that the size of the contamination can be determined and steps to clean it up can be taken. Although groundwater contamination spreads slowly, it is now spreading to a critical point and clean up, utilizing international specialists and specifically designed pumps, is vital.

The current problem is not a lack of political will, just that institutions involved may not release crucial funds because of red tape and bureaucratic restraints.  A National Emergency declaration could resolve these issues.

Saprissa 1 - Carmelita 1
Brujas 2  - Santos 2
Cartaginés 0 - Pérez Zeledón 1
Alajuela 4 -Heredia 0
Santa Cruz 1 - Liberia 0
Puntarenas 4 - Ramonense 1

Wednesday 9 November
Carmelita at Santa Cruz 7 p.m.
Puntarenas at San Ramon 8 p.m.

NATIONAL TEAM PLAYS FRANCE IN MARTINIQUE - Wednesday 9 November

Domingo 13 de noviembre * tentative
Liberia at Heredia
Alajuela at San Ramon
Puntarenas at Santa Cruz
Pérez Zeledón at Santos
Brujas at Carmelita
Cartago at Saprissa

* Resultados a verificarse el martes por el Comité de Competición.