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