EX-PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ RELEASED FROM HOUSE ARREST

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 002412

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CEN JASON MACK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL CS
SUBJECT: EX-PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ RELEASED FROM HOUSE ARREST

REF: SAN JOSE 646 AND PREVIOUS


1. Former President Miguel Angel Rodriguez (1998-2002) was
released from his seven-month house arrest on October 13,
when prosecutors in his corruption case failed to convince a
judge to grant yet another extension of his now nearly
year-long pretrial detention. Rodriguez was arrested on
October 16, 2004, upon his return from the U.S., where he
resigned as president of the OAS after one month in the
position. The corruption charges stem from allegations that
Rodriguez received kickbacks from French telecommunications
firm Alcatel during his presidency. Rodriguez spent five
months in prison, then in March, 2005, won a small victory by
being placed under house arrest. Despite his release,
Rodriguez is still subject to substantial restrictions
pending his trial: he cannot leave the country, must appear
in person at the court every fifteen days, and is prohibited
from close contact with co-defendants or witnesses in his
case.

COMMENT
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2. With Rodriguez's release, the only major figure in the
Alcatel scandal still being held pending corruption
investigations is Rafael Angel Calderon (1990-1994).
Calderon has lately mounted a campaign to gain "political
prisoner" recognition, and will likely intensify his efforts.
Given that the evidence against Rodriguez is generally
considered stronger than that against Calderon, we would
expect that Calderon will be released on terms similar to
Rodriguez's in the near future.
FRISBIE