PRESIDENT DISCUSSES ISSUES WITH NEWSMAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP09-00956R000105640041-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 1, 2013
• Sequence Number: 41
• Publication Date: April 3, 1973
• Content Type: MISC

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PRESIDENT DISCUSSES ISSUES WITH NEWSMEN
COSTA RICA
[Interview with President of the Republic Jose Figueres
San Jose, La Nacion, Spanish, 9 March 1973, p 6]
"We should not harass the foreign investors who come to
the country," said the President of the Republic, Doti Jose
-Figueres, yesterday, when asked about Mr Robert Vesco.
At the press conference held at the premises of the.SEDCA
[Sistemas Electronicos de Datos y Ciencias Admimistrativas;
Electronic Data and Management Finances Systems] in the Numar
Figueres building, he was asked about this matter.
Interview
Since Vesco had said last Tuesday at a press conference
held in -the Costa Rica Hotel that "naturally, I met with?
President Figueres. ,It would be foolish to imagine that .1 would
come to this. country and not meet with the chief of state," .
Figueres wasasked the .details of this interview,
The President said that "I met with him (Vesco) several
times, but not on Tuesday.
"We met to talk of -matters involving. investments in the
country."
What Was Said
He said. that "I have been told that he (Vesco) was
irritated last-Tuesday-by something written about him, because
the newspapers have published reports unfavorable to him. I
believe that he is wrong since whathas been said here consti-
tutes reprints from the foreign press, except, obviously, for
some editorials which are purely political.
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"I believe, that he is irritated," Figueres added, "by.
what somu- deputies'have Said,,but? what they are .sayin is
ayainst the y,overnment, and is political."
Bringing in Money
He then went on to say More generally that "it is not
proper to harass the investors, the people who bring money to the
country, which creates jobs
"It is An error to set ourselves to bother these people.
"I have no report of bad investments in Costa Rica."
The Jenaro Valverde Case
"The attitude- of certain deputies is inevitable," Figueres
added.
He was asked about the fact that a prominent Liberation
Party deputy, attorney Jenaro Valverde, is opposed to Robert
Vesco.
_
"This is nothing new. The Jenaro Valverde case is 14411
known. It did not happen to me, but came back to me settled.
However, this is now. known."
? The Political Cauaign
? Concerning whether he willparticipate, in the .coining
electoral campaign to defend his. government in recent- months,
.he said that 'lit has been said that r will participate in. the
electoral struggle, but for the moment these are nothing more
than speculations." .
He was asked about the possibility of a more forceful
attack upon him?
Figueres answered that "the attacks against me could
hardly be More forceful. Baseless criticisms do not bother me.
"Now if you were to ask me whether I believe 'certain
programs to be good or evil, I can tell you to what extent I
will defend these programs, which I have launched in the govern-
ment."
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The Country
'He spoke of "the prosperity which is visible, the high
commercial sales. It is plain that there is prosperity in the .
country. This is visible." He reiterated that "there is a drop
in. unemployment."
? He spoke?of those who earn "between 1,200 and ... 280
colons per month, who are very badly off." This was in, refer-
ence to the Mixed Social Assistance Institute, which does very
good work.
Barahona
The President was informed that attorney Oscar Barahona
says the opposite about the state of the nation and he indicad
that "everyone can say what he wishes. There is no need to pay
to say things.
Chile
He--commented on the results of the elections in Chile.i
"It seems to me, distant as we are and based on the published,
cable reports, that despite the wave of world propaganda against
Allende, he emerged in good Shape from the elections.
"The result of this popular consultation in Chile is a
warning to America.
"I believe that the electoral masses are more responsive
now than before. It is curious," he said, "that despite every-
thing, thins in Chile are decided by means of eleC.ions."
Allende has improved his position. He then said that
"the people are becoming aware."
Concerning whether there is any relation between what
has happened in Chile and Costa Rica, he said that "in our coun-
try the popular response to measures favoring the weaker is
improving."
Deficit
, He spoke of the report released by the minister .of
finance to the effect that the deficit is only 23 million colons,
according to thebalancing.of, the budget.
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Figueres praised the work of Minister Alpizar and said
that "the deficit has been reduced. to 23 million colons."
The former minister of planning and ambassador to
Washington, attorney Marco A. Lopez, who accompanied the President
on his visit to the SEDCA, said that "there are various types
of deficit: legal, economic, and financial."
Income Tax
Figueres commented that "it will be necessary to seek a
solution to the well-known problem of income tax evasion."
Other Matters
During the press conference, other subjects were discussed.
Concerning school equipment, Figueres said that "I do not know
much about these things, which are very costly.'
. Concerning the problem of milk, meat, and transportation,
he made the following generalization: "These are sensitive sub-
jects. The main problem lies in the low income of certain
categories of persons.
"In the meat sector there is much to be done. A legal
requirement that a sufficient percentage to guarantee adequate
meat be left in the country ? is justifiable. We are working on
this."
Concerning the group of meat packers which visited him,
he said that "they are rendering a service to the country and
will have representation on the National Commission. There
will also be a representative of the consumers."
Attorney Lopez Aguero spoke to say that "there is a
world problem concerning rising prices." He mentioned such
cases as the United Slates, Great Britain, Switzerland, and
Italy.
Figueres gave an incisive answer to a question about
financial interests, saying that "they often play the game of
the pinch pennies."
At the conclusion of the press conference he made two
statements on different subjects..
He said that "La Nation has always been anti-liberation-
ist and anti-social reform."
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And, going :back to the. subject .of Yesco, he said:
"Many. of the things published here frighten investors. It is
very hard for university circles to understand our environment."
5157
CSO: 4200-W
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