Oscar Arias
Oscar Arias
Óscar Arias Sánchezwas President of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 and from 2006 to 2010. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts to end the Central American crisis...
NationalityCosta Rican
ProfessionWorld Leader
Date of Birth13 September 1940
CityHeredia, Costa Rica
aid central future increased trade
The absence of significant development aid has only increased the importance of trade for Central America's future.
america central
Latin America has not achieved the development that it deserves... I'm not optimistic for all of Latin America, not only for Central America.
central saw solve
I saw no reason why other nations should tell Central Americans how to solve their problems.
alone central toward trade
Free trade will go a long way toward alleviating poverty in Central America. Yet trade alone is not enough.
central obtain peace
If there is no peace in Central America, it will not be because Costa Rica, and myself as president, have not done what is necessary to obtain peace.
alone america central followed human peace political seek shedding someday
We seek in Central America not peace alone, not peace to be followed someday by political progress, but peace and democracy, together, indivisible, an end to the shedding of human blood, which is inseparable from an end to the suppression of human rights.
central courage face peace presented side supported triumph
We had the courage to face the superpowers that wanted a military triumph for each side they supported in Central America. We told them, 'No,' and presented a peace plan.
across bitter border central children escape flooded passionate plight terrified
The plight of the terrified Central American children who have flooded across the U.S. border to escape violence and poverty in their homelands has launched a passionate and often bitter debate in Washington.
central dreams freedom great men millions region share women
The Central American isthmus is a region of great contrasts, but also of heartening unison. Millions of men and women share dreams of freedom and progress.
although best central clearly economic equitable hemisphere interest prosperous supported united washington
Although fostering a peaceful, prosperous and equitable hemisphere is clearly in the best interest of the United States, Washington has not always supported Central America's struggle for economic survival.
arms fair health money spend
It's not fair for the U.S. to spend, on arms and weapons, so much money and then not spend on health care the money that is needed.
basic billion clean education enjoy fighting health military nearly next population resources social spending water
In 1995, world military spending totaled nearly $800 billion. If we redirected just $40 billion of those resources over the next 10 years to fighting poverty, all of the world's population would enjoy basic social services, such as education, health care, nutrition, reproductive health, clean water and sanitation.
doubt
You should not have the least doubt that in this, we will not cede.
accustomed country elections four
It's a country that's accustomed to elections every four years. Clean, crystalline, transparent elections.