Costa Rican Demands Reform

The former President of Costa Rica warned an audience about 40 people last night at the Law School that unless the people of Central America institute social reform, they will be unable to bring economic stability to the troubled region.

Rodrigo Carazo, who headed the Costa Rican government from 1978 to 1982, discussed "The Central American Reality" at a lecture sponsored by the Sociedad Interamericana, a Law School student group that tries to promote understanding among the various American nations.

Asserting that "a total change in social behavior of the rulers of our countries" is vital to promoting peace in Central America, Carazo stressed that educating the lower classes would give the "majority the chance for progress and the possibility to improve."

Carazo criticized the wealthy citizens of Central America for perpetuating the area's problems by depriving others of "the right to learn."

Stressing the fact that the Contadora negotiations--involving several Latin American countries--have been going on for almost four years, the former Costa Rican official expressed concern that a "military confrontation" involving all of Central America and "possibly the United States" would result if Contadora members did not find a "quick solution to their problems."

"The members of Contadora are beginning to get tired," Carazo said. "The people will go home pretty soon."

While President of Costa Rica, Carazo was instrumental in forming the United-Nations-sponsored University For Peace. Based in San Jose, Costa Rica, the school is a masters degree program for liberal arts graduates who are interested in international relations. Carazo is in Boston to oversee the formation of a New England branch of the University For Peace at Emmanuel College.