Pacheco and Tovar reaffirmed their struggle was against terrorism
Costa Rica will step out of the coalition’s list.
La Prensa Libre
Lucrecia Zuñiga Ureña
September 10, 2004
After the Supreme Court annulated Costa Rica’s official support to the invasion of Iraq, President Abel Pacheco and Foreign Affairs Ministry, Roberto Tovar, stated that they will respect the respect national laws and that they never supported war, they just opposed terrorism.
Last Wednesday afternoon, Supreme Court upheld all three unconstitutionality actions filed against March 19th 2003 Executive’s resolution of supporting the coalition.
On that date, the Government agreed to support US armed forces invasion of the Asian country aiming to overthrow Saddam Hussein, by doing so Costa Rica took part of the so-called “coalition” or “alliance” promoted by US State Department.
Nonetheless, the Ombudsman, National Lawyers Bar and a university student, opposed this decision and filed unconstitutionality actions.
Finally, all seven Supreme Justices concluded that such decision was a wrongful act, in violation of the constitution, Costa Rica’s Neutrality, UN system and International Law.
“I just declared war to misery and corruption. The Court demands me to withdraw of the coalition and so I will do”, said President Pacheco.
Concerning the reason that moved our government to support the US government’s decision to invade Iraq, the Premier stated that they just responded to a call from “friendly government by excellence”
“Costa Rica is a country of Peace… we never declared war on anyone. Besides, this is already a past affair”, he added.
On his side, Tovar assured that the case reached a conclusion, and from this moment on they will be more careful to always act within Supreme Court’s rulings.
“We support the fight against terrorism. We were stating a principle. The only thing Costa Rica did was to show support for terrorism victims”, he commented.
In the meanwhile, international press release stated that yesterday, the White House, agreed to take Costa Rica off the list of countries taking part of the international coalition supporting Iraqi invasion and occupation.