ANTI-CAFTA-DR GROUPS STAGE PROTEST, "BURY" THE

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000643 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN JASON MACK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD ELAB PGOV CS SUBJECT: ANTI-CAFTA-DR GROUPS STAGE PROTEST, "BURY" THE AGREEMENT ¶1. On March 20, several groups jointly staged the first organized protest against the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) since the country's February 5 elections. Unlike in previous demonstrations, labor organizations did not play a major organizational role. Instead, the protests were organized by the Cultural Movement Against CAFTA with support from other civil groups opposed to the accord. Despite heavy pre-event coverage in most of the country's daily newspapers and picture-perfect Costa Rican weather, only about 100 protesters showed up for the festivities. ¶2. In a highly coordinated and theatrical publicity campaign leading up to the march, organizers held a press conference modeled on a wake, with black-clad mourners greeting members of the press upon arrival. The demonstration continued in this vein, with participants marching from a downtown park behind a horse-drawn hearse toward the Legislative Assembly complex. Many of the protesters wore black shrouds and masks depicting President Bush, Costa Rican President-elect Oscar Arias, and several key CAFTA-DR negotiators. Upon arrival at the Legislative Assembly, the group staged a mock burial, symbolizing, in the words of an organizer, how CAFTA-DR should be "buried in Congress." ¶3. Comment: Though their pre-event manipulation of the media was skillful, the organizers' success at drawing media attention may end up backfiring. While the organizers did not, to our knowledge, call for widespread participation in the event, the blanket media coverage showing such a small turnout could indicate to observers that the demonstration was a failure. For the past year, the success of a demonstration has been defined by its attendance; using that standard, yesterday's event is unlikely to be placed in the "Win" column for the anti-CAFTA-DR movement. LANGDALE