Despite threats from opponents to the treaty, most public offices functioned with a degree of normality. Not counting marches roads were not blocked except in a few areas outside San José.  Teachers averaged about 31 percent participation in the so-called general strike, according to a Casa Presidencial survey. And the bulk of hospital employees stayed on the job.

Still, there were demonstrations throughout the country, but the march to the Asamblea Legislativa in San José was by far the biggest. Reporters estimated participation at about 3,000 persons. Organizers said up to 10,000.

Some marchers blamed what they called a coordinated campaign by President Óscar Arias Sánchez and his staff to frustrate the general strike. Rodrigo Arias Sánchez, the president’s brother and minister of the Presidencia, was the principal spokesman. Last week the administration warned that strikers would not be paid their salary for the days they missed.

In addition, Arias embarked on a publicity campaign stressing dialog instead of street demonstrations. And the security minister ordered officers into the street without their guns as a show of support for a peaceful demonstration.

Officials reported only one incident that marred the peaceful tone of the march. Near the Universidad de Costa Rica youngsters wearing ski masks made menacing moves toward a Channel 6 news crew, but march leaders called them off. Some youngsters continued to wear masks and bandannas.

In a midday press conference Rodrigo Arias said that the goal of the marchers was to cause the government to withdraw the free trade treaty from consideration in the legislature. He said the Arias administration would not do that.

The school survey showed that strike participation reached 60 percent at institutions in Cartago and 4.5 percent in Cañas. In all, 1,211 teachers were reported on strike, some 31 percent of the primary and secondary workforce.

One, Alfredo Cambronero Ramírez, a member of the union representing insurance institute workers, told reporters that he was at the assembly building so that Arias would listen.  Arias only won election by a few votes, he said, and that not only would he be signing the free trade treaty but so would the Costa Rican people. Arias won Feb. 5 by a bit more than 1 percent of the vote. One of his principal campaign promises was to get the free trade treaty passed.

Vargas said the protest would continue today with a rally at 9 a.m. in Parque Central and another march to the legislature.

The treaty still is in committee at the legislative assembly. The Partido Acción Ciudadanas, which opposes the agreement, wants to continue hearings with members of the public, but the Partido Liberación Nacional, the party of Arias, and other treaty supporters want to bring it to the floor for internal debate.