6.22.2005
Don Abel's Bumbling
Costa Rican president Abel Pacheco, whose term will mercifully end February of next year, recently named his five-member "Council of Notables" which will study how CAFTA will affect Costa Rica and present their recommendations. While Pacheco initially indicated that the council would only provide advice for him to make his decision, he has announced that the council will have the final word on whether CAFTA will be presented to the Legislative Assembly.
The council consists of Franklin Chang, a NASA astronaut, Rodrigo Gamez, head of the National Biodiversity Insitute (INBio), former UCR rector Gabriel Macaya, diplomat Alvar Antillon, and priest Guido Villalta.
Without question, these individuals represent some of the country´s most respected citizens, but would Bill Clinton call on Neil Armstrong to help him decide if NAFTA was good for the US? (Not to mention that Chang, a Costa Rican hero, is currently residing in Texas.) Pacheco, who in 2004 told the OAS that he knew nothing about economics and that learning trigonometry was useless, understandably relies on advisors to make most decisions. But his stalling through the naming of this council will only serve to cement his reputation as a laughingstock during his last months in office. Leadership is not debating an issue from every possible angle and trying to please all constituencies.
The council consists of Franklin Chang, a NASA astronaut, Rodrigo Gamez, head of the National Biodiversity Insitute (INBio), former UCR rector Gabriel Macaya, diplomat Alvar Antillon, and priest Guido Villalta.
Without question, these individuals represent some of the country´s most respected citizens, but would Bill Clinton call on Neil Armstrong to help him decide if NAFTA was good for the US? (Not to mention that Chang, a Costa Rican hero, is currently residing in Texas.) Pacheco, who in 2004 told the OAS that he knew nothing about economics and that learning trigonometry was useless, understandably relies on advisors to make most decisions. But his stalling through the naming of this council will only serve to cement his reputation as a laughingstock during his last months in office. Leadership is not debating an issue from every possible angle and trying to please all constituencies.
# posted by Juanson : 8:22 PM
