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*Costa Rican Supreme Court Temporarily Halts Entry of US Military*
*By Jamie Way, Communications Coordinator*
*Alliance for Global Justice*
* *
*July 27, 2010*
* *
The Costa Rican Supreme Court last week agreed to take a case challenging
the constitutionality of a US-Costa Rican agreement that would allow for a
massive US military presence. The agreement cannot go into effect until the
Supreme Court rules, thus postponing the arrival of US forces.
On July 1, Costa Rica’s unicameral Legislative Assembly, with 31 votes out
of 57, approved the US Embassy’s request to open the country to 46 US
warships, 7,000 US soldiers, 200 helicopters and two aircraft carriers. This
permission was granted through at least Dec. 31 of this year, officially
justified by the necessity of fighting drug-traffickers, providing
humanitarian services and providing a place for US ships to dock and refuel.
While most reports have put a Dec. 31 expiration date on the agreement, the
Nicaraguan media last week reported that Costa Rican Foreign Minister Rene
Castro, in a meeting with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Samuel Santos, said
that the agreement is for five years.
Prior Joint Patrol bilateral agreements between the countries allowed only
US Coast Guard presence with Costa Rican law enforcement aboard. The US
Coast Guard was permitted to follow vessels into Costa Rican waters while in
pursuit and awaiting Costa Rican officials. Thus, the new agreement
represents a substantial increase in the allowance of US military presence
in Costa Rica, a country that abolished its army in 1948 and has a policy of
neutrality.
The legislature’s approval of the bilateral agreement has not gone
unchallenged. A substantial legislative opposition has formed, including
representatives from the Broad Front, Citizen Action Party and the United
Social Christian Parties. The opposition has challenged the
constitutionality of the agreement, citing Article 12 of the Costa Rican
constitution. Article 12 restricts the reasons that military forces may form
and states that they must always remain under Costa Rican civilian control.
Last week, the Costa Rican Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. This is
encouraging news for the opposition regardless of the outcome, because the
agreement cannot go into effect until the Court issues a ruling on the
constitutional question. There is no indication about when the Court may
issue a ruling.
Civil society as well is organizing to oppose the US military presence in
its waters and on its soil. Distrust of US motives is widespread in light of
the tacit US government support for the Honduran coup, the agreement with
Colombia to use seven bases there, and tensions between Colombia and
Venezuela in which Venezuelan forces are on high alert in preparation for a
possible attack from Colombia. Costa Ricans have reacted by holding forums
and protests. Student groups as young as high school have started to form in
opposition to the US military presence. Some have created Facebook pages and
posted YouTube messages representing civil society’s desire for a peaceful
and sovereign nation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSVP5bdf4ug
While Costa Rican officials and civil society have proven themselves to be a
formidable force in opposition to the spread of US militarism, it is vital
that we in the United States make our voices heard in support of our Costa
Rican sisters and brothers. The Alliance for Global Justice is urging all
people of goodwill to contact their member of Congress. Ask your member what
justifies such a huge military presence in a country that has been
demilitarized for over 60 years. Say that the size of the US military
presence seems all out of proportion with the claim that it is to help Costa
Rica interdict drug trafficking. Advise your member of Congress that at a
time of record deficit spending and unemployment, the government should not
be spending millions of taxpayer dollars further militarizing Latin America
and contributing to rising tensions in the region. The Congressional
Switchboard is 202-224-3121.
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THE STATEMENT IS INCLUDED -- scroll down
Call to Action: United for Peace & Justice encourages UFPJ Member Groups and other organizations to individually endorse this declaration and communicate it to Hendrik Voss, School of the Americas Watch, hvoss@soaw.org To support endorsement, we encourage that issue information and calls to action be forwarded to member group constituencies.
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Call Congress Today!
Despite the fact that Costa Rica is widely regarded as a pacifist nation due to its decision not to have its own military forces, the country controversially granted the US permission to send 7,000 troops and 46 warships (along with their accompanying airplanes and helicopters) to Costa Rica through the end of the year. Officially, the act is considered part of the US led "Drug War" (which is increasingly war-like in nature). Costa Rica's neighbors, however, see the massive military presence as a potential base for regional strikes. Internally, many Costa Ricans are questioning the military presence and its impact on the nation's sovereignty. One party has even brought forth a claim questioning the constitutionality of such an act.
Due to the US's history of intervention in Latin America (perhaps most notably in neighboring Nicaragua), the region is clearly justified in its concern for the disproportionate and virtual invasion of troops into an area that provides such a logistical and geographic striking point. They deserve an explanation and we, as US taxpayers have the right to know why our money is being spent on further militarizing Latin America rather than on the jobs, schools, and healthcare urgently needed in our own country!
But the US has responded, as usual, by disregarding the concerns. According to a TicoTimes article
(http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103554307572&s=6716&e=001lQmcCZ8IzMrYYGaEIei5RAhK2lbtTnWPaHx3RUF_k9qaqbBNG0l8_eyRZ4beQ4hf4e51tOE4E7jRlET_TACrbq6p8cpTcsCe9BT7qoZG0398_n7-3afgY4XN0-wOBZEKqXpwGSiy80N0YiIsbIB3znU3UQKIgrgn)
----------------------------
Yanquis respond to calls to ‘go home'
By Chrissie Long
Tico Times Staff | clong@ticotimes.net
What seemed like normal protocol – seeking the approval of the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly for another group of Marines, with their support ships and planes, to monitor the country's coastline for signs of drug traffickers – erupted into protests and angry comments as some Costa Ricans complained that their country's sovereignty was being trampled upon.
The response caught the U.S. Embassy, which was amid its Independence Day celebration, by surprise.
“We are not sure why there is this uproar,” U.S. Ambassador Anne S. Andrew said, explaining that the request is the same one that has been submitted each year for the last 10 years under a bilateral agreement between the two countries. And the timing seemed rather odd, she added.
Costa Ricans will be the first to tell you that their once-peaceful country is suffering a problem of national security. A recently released study by polling company Unimer showed that Costa Ricans' greatest fears involve issues relating to security and crime. And few disagree the problem has arrived mostly from the outside, much of it on the backs of drug-smuggling cartels that have found room to maneuver along Costa Rica's lightly protected coastlines and borders.
“This (protest) seems to arise at a point where there is no question that there is a serious security challenge ahead for Costa Rica,” Andrew said. “In the last 10 years, the efforts of Costa Rica and the United States under the Joint Maritime Agreement have been responsible for the interception of 115,000 kilograms of cocaine and $24 million in laundered money off the coast of Costa Rica.”
For more on this story, see the July 9 print or digital edition of The Tico Times.
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"'We are not sure why there is this uproar,' U.S. Ambassador Anne S. Andrew said, explaining that the request is the same one that has been submitted each year for the last 10 years under a bilateral agreement between the two countries." Past agreements, however, appear to only grant US vessels permission to enter the area in pursuit and, to our knowledge, do not seem to have mentioned troop or warship presence.
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Please support Costa Ricans in defending their sovereignty and to maintain peace in the region by refusing US military presence! Contact your Member of Congress today,
(http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103554307572&s=6716&=001lQmcCZ8IzMol4K37uADI8vdS440CAvz6fcTPmzk6frOfyAtl7j3r_pJ_zmF60bebsuXT7wMrm-W48yH3kI0mS2uJ5QELXAZVPmjl2JUDGQbICaGKmbvXXUszHqKGiuqJ)and
demand the following:
I am very concerned about the increased US military presence in Costa Rica. I demand to know why my tax dollars are being spent on such a disproportionate show of force in response to drug trafficking, when that money could easily be redirected toward much needed treatment, job creation and social welfare programs at home. How much of our tax money is being sent on the deployment on 7,000 troops and 46 warships?
The region, that has suffered so greatly at the hand of US intervention, deserves a true explanation as to why we are sending such a huge military strike force. This military occupation must end immediately. Please report back to me the expected cost to the taxpayers of this misguided venture.
Sincerely,
Your Name
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The outrageous announcement that 46 US warships and 7000 Marines are heading for Costa Rica to "fight drugs" should alert all peace and justice organizations to the real significance of this action. Such a move will raise legitimate alarm in the Caribbean, Central and Latin America of the real intent of the United States and react accordingly.
Regardless whether this was done with the connivance of the Costa Rica government or not, as peace and justice activists, we are opposed to the extension of US military force, especially, at these times, when our Brothers and Sisters in the South are moving forward in their struggle for national sovereignty and independence from US influence.
Endorse the "Declaration Against US Military Forces in Costa Rica, the Declaration against Invasion and Military Impunity":
- We the undersigned and organizations of our support network, categorically reject the U.S. military ships entering Costa Rican territory, as well as any further increase of militarism to attempt to solve conflicts in global politics.
- We oppose the permission granted by the Costa Rican Legislature, which allows for joint patrols against trafficking of drugs into Costa Rica with up to 46 warships, 200 helicopters, 10 AV-8B Harrier aircraft and 7,000 marines.
- With this action, the government of Costa Rica aims to join the U.S. military agenda in Latin America. The solution to drug trafficking is social, not military.
- Costa Rica, with its neutral and pacifist tradition, cannot allow its territory to be used for a military objective that violates their sovereignty. This U.S. military contingent will be able to move freely throughout Costa Rican territory with immunity for its troops. Such a military presence in a country without an army is unacceptable.
- We call on our respective governments and peoples to jointly promote all possible action to defend Costa Rican sovereignty, and to reject this military action.
Call to Action: United for Peace & Justice encourages UFPJ Member Groups and other organizations to individually endorse this declaration and communicate it to Hendrik Voss, School of the Americas Watch, hvoss@soaw.org To support endorsement, we encourage that issue information and calls to action be forwarded to member group constituencies.
Background:
We Love Costa Rica article, 46 US Warships Plus 7,000 US Marines On Route To Costa Rica? www.welovecostarica.com/public/2647print.cfm
Global Post Article, 7,000 US Marines Landing on the beaches of Costa Rica
www.globalpost.com/webblog/costa-rica/7000-us-marines-landing-the-beaches-costa-rica
==========================
From upsidedownworld.org:
Fear, Suspicion as US Military En Route to Costa Rica
Written by Joseph Shansky
Thursday, 15 July 2010 10:51
Tensions are high in Costa Rica following the announcement of the impending arrival of US military vessels. In the past year alone, a sudden expansion of United States military presence around Latin America has alarmed many in the region. Now it is spreading to the one nation which had previously been known for the absence of any standing permanent army, foreign or national.
After receiving a diplomatic request from the US Embassy, on July 1 the Costa Rican legislative assembly approved a measure to grant unprecedented access to a U.S. military fleet in Costa Rica’s waters. The vessels, which are to be stationed through the end of year, will arrive for at least six months to assist counter-narcotics operations by Costa Rican authorities. Costa Rica has long been used a stopping point of entry for drugs coming from Colombia and Panama on their way further north.
This type of partnership between the U.S. and Costa Rica is not new. Since 1999, a maritime agreement titled the “Joint Patrol” between the United States and Costa Rica has allowed the U.S. Coast Guard to operate in the waters of Costa Rica for similar purposes. However, this particular agreement goes far beyond previously established boundaries. The Joint Patrol agreement limited U.S. personnel to Coast Guard only, allowing for Costa Rican law enforcement to ride on U.S. ships if they have reason to suspect suspicious activity, and vice versa.
Under the new agreement the ships, which can occupy up to 7,000 Navy personnel and 200 helicopters, will join the Coast Guard and according to the Embassy letter, will “enjoy freedom of movement and the right to carry out activities they consider necessary for the fulfillment of their mission, which includes wearing their uniforms while exercising official functions.”
In other words, immunity from any actions they deem appropriate in the name of policing the waters.
The contract has drawn confusion about the intent of the ships more than anything else, stemming from a general distrust of US action in the region, likely based on recent events like the tacitly-approved military coup in Honduras (and news emerging last week of new plans for another military base there), as well as last year’s controversial accord to establish seven new military bases in Colombia.
The announcement has already provoked a fierce response in Costa Rica. The measure, which can be also renewed after December 31, has drawn sharp criticism from both lawmakers and civilians. Critics say that a massive foreign military landing at their shores not only directly violates that constitution as it stands today, but tears at the moral fabric of a nation which constitutionally abolished its own army in 1949.
In an impassioned address to the assembly during the vote, Parliamentary leader José María Villalta, of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) party, argued that apart from legal ramifications, the measure inherently goes against Costa Rican ideals.
“We cannot remain silent,” Villalta said. “The fundamental values of the Costa Rican State are stake, the core values that have distinguished this country- a country of peace, which rejects militarism, where we have a declaration of perpetual neutrality regarding conflicts of war in other countries and now we want to become complicit in a strategy of militarization is taking place in Latin America.”
In an interview with Upside Down World, Francisco Cordero-Gené, who served as former head advisor to the Costa Rican legislative assembly during the past two administrations (prior to that of current President Laura Chinchilla, who has voiced support for the measure) outlined the main legal contentions of those opposed.
“Aside from the dark procedure by which the permit was approved, it clearly provides unlimited access to ports for troops of the Navy Department of Defense, not just law enforcement authorities of the Coast Guard. Therefore, we argue that the reason given for giving the permit has been invalidated. It exceeds the responsibilities of Congress- no basis to authorize this invasion is theirs alone,” said Cordero-Gené.
Indeed, Article 12 of the 1949 Constitution reads: “Military forces may only be organized under a continental agreement or for the national defense; in either case, they shall always be subordinate to the civil power: they may not deliberate or make statements or representations individually or collectively.”
Because of this clause, there have been five legal recourse briefs (recursos de amparo) submitted so far in opposition to the Congressional decision, intended to declare the approval unconstitutional on these grounds.
Organizations such as the Quaker Friends Peace Center, of which Cordero-Gené belongs to, question the motives of the ships which will be dispersed to Costa Rica individually. At a time when there’s been violent labor disputes in Panama recently (due to banana workers protesting new policies that would weaken the position of labor unions, allowing companies to fire or replace striking workers) Cordero-Gené says he wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a connection.
“The lack of a debate in Congress makes one suspect that they will be operating militarily and not necessarily confined to the drug trafficking operations," said Cordero-Gené. Is it a coincidence that ships arrive as a new port management is being put into practice, eliminating the authority of the state agency JAPDEVA (Port Management Board of the Atlantic Coast Development) and its group of unionized dock workers…and preventing any possibility of strikes, work stoppages and incidents in Limón, such as those in Panama? ”
So far there are no clear answers to these and many other questions, such as why the funds being used for this operation not instead being directed to help train and equip the Costa Rican Coast Guard.
Even the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), widely regarded as the highest non-governmental domestic authority on all U.S. affairs in the area, seems to be left scratching its head.
“Once again, the government has not released a single public statement on this- no one is talking about it,” says Adam Isacson, a senior associate on WOLA's Regional Security Policy program. “There is certainly a drug problem in the area, but we don’t know whether the 7,000 number (of Marines) being discussed is any bigger than what’s allowed in the 1999 agreement. The increase could be justified, but we simply don’t know at this point.”
Cordero-Gené agrees that drug security is popular issue in Costa Rica, but says that it’s a problem of perception rather than statistical increase in crime.
“The drug problem is not essentially the problem of security; because the assaults and crimes committed are due more to poverty in an increasingly violent culture…It’s obvious that this displacement is a response to the arms race and alliances to neutralize the countries of the Bolivarian Alliance (ALBA)," he added. "This front is undoubtedly linked to the accusations from both presidents of Colombia (current President Alvaro Uribe and incoming President Juan Manuel Santos) that Hugo Chavez supports the narco-guerrillas.”
Cordero-Gené is not alone in this line of geo-political thinking- these are just a few of the many explanations being floated around opposition circles since the announcement in Costa Rica. For now they remain only theories, but in the context of last year’s US agreements to new military bases and logistical training in countries like Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, many see them as unsurprising and plausible.
Public outrage against the measure is building in Costa Rica. Anti-militarization rallies have already been held in San José. In only a few days since the announcement, a Facebook group titled “¡No a la presencia militar en Costa Rica!” (No military presence in Costa Rica!) has gained over 20,000 supporters. A large demonstration amongst the public sectors is being planned for July 26, when the first of the ships is due to arrive.
Regardless of its stated intent, with so much uncertainty around the vague conditions of the agreement, a foreign military suddenly entering a nation with a proud tradition of peaceful conflict resolution, neutrality and disarmament is leading to far more questions than answers.
Joseph Shansky can be reached at fallow3(at)gmail.com.
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A STRONG RESPONSE FROM COSTA RICA:
Declaration of the Partido Obrero Socialista (POS) of Costa Rica
The Imperialist Fourth Fleet is coming to spread Counter-Revolution inn the Caribbean
We Must Defend the Venezuelan, Bolivian, and Ecuadorian Revolutions menaced by this military operation
Yankees Out of Costa Rica and Latin America
Stop the Antidemocratic repressive and militarist policies of Laura Chinchilla
The Legislative Assembly approved by a majority of 31 deputies permission to
navigate, enter and dock on our coasts 46 war ships and 7,000 U.S. marines.
This is justified by the government of Costa Rica as part of an agreement with the US government to contain and eliminate the drug dealing in the region. But the truth is that this lending of maritime territory and our ports is very far from being an anti-narcotic operation and a return to action of the Fourth Fleet which was dismantled in 1950.
The Fourth Fleet has returned to the Caribbean, announced by the Pentagon on April 24. This operation which involves maritime territory and ports of Costa Rica is out of proportion in relation to the fulfillment of its supposed goals against narcotics.
This activity is like a ring on the finger to US imperialism because in this
manner it can conceal its genuine objective: provoke and menace the boliviarana revolution in Venezuela and is in the framework of its offensive against the peoples of Iran, the Middle East, Palestine, Iraq, Afganistan, and Pakistan. Menacing Venezuela it also is acting against the revolutionary processes in Ecuador, Bolivia and in general against the masses of South America who do not stop demonstrating and fighting.
Among the 47 war ships are some of the most powerful ships in the US fleet: the
air craft carrier the USS George Washington propelled by nuclear power that
carries the combat planes F-16 and F-18, helicopters, spy planes. 7000 marines is the beginning of an occupation force that goes beyond what is necessary to protect the ships.
The agreement signed in 1999 between the Costa Rican government was understood to involve the Coast Guard but not a combat fleet....
Laura Chinchilla and her backer, Jose Maria Tijerino, try to hide the genuine
purpose but it is their tradition. They want to get extra financing from
imperialism to strengthen the police forces and the police information network
through spying against society through telephone and internet intervention.
To calm down the concern that this approval has awakened in some sectors,
including even the bourgeoise, Tijerino said "The military (Costa Rican)
will guard the ships and spread out over those areas." thus lowering their
importance and justifying the services as an area of prostitution and a paradise
of diversion free of fines and courts because the US military will have absolute
immunity.
It is clear the objective of imperialism and the Fourth Fleet together with Laura Chinchilla, Tijerino and the 31 deputies want to present it as a little trip through the Caribbean and our beaches with the combat against drugs. For two decades imperialism has carried out operations against the drug traffic without slowing down the traffic or its consumption in general or in the
United States in particular.
Fourth Fleet Out of the Caribbean and Venezuelan Coast
Cancel the Infamous Permission that gives the Fourth Fleet and Marines the Right to Use Maritime Territory...
Stop the Aggression and Threats of Imperialism Against the Boliviariano,
Ecuadorian and Bolivian Revolutions
Drugs Are Fought by Slowing Consumption. And Consumption will Slow Down
with Socialist Revolution and a Society Free of the Need to Escape through
Drugs and Alcohol, free of the exploitation of man by man
PARTIDO OBRERO SOCIALISTA de COSTA RICA July 9. 2010
>>(translated by EARL GILMAN)
