CAFTA to Hit Congress
At 10 am today President Pacheco announced that he is sending the Free Trade Agreement to the Assembly for discussion. The President thanked the Council of Notables for their input and assured the country that CAFTA will fortify every sector of the economy. He pointed out that the congress is already studying bills to assist any sector that will be affected adversely. " I trust that the Costa Rican people … will maintain a climate of calm, so that the best decisions for the future can be made." said Pacheco.
Certain sectors have threatened the environment of calm that the president pleaded for, and they reiterated that the minute the pact is in congress the protests will be felt in the streets. " The Red Alert has been activated" said a press release by ANEP (Association of Private and Public Employees). "In this way a painful and prolonged scene of open social confrontation of high intensity will be seen at the appropriate moments"
"Do you think Costa Rica is in a position to be left out?" asked the President during the press conference, he affirmed that only a few sectors were looking to take the fight to the streets. Business leaders expressed optimism over the outcome of the legislative debate.