San José, Costa Rica. Wednesday, April 29, 1998 |
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Abolisher of the army: Don Pepe statue unveiledBy E. MORA/ J. BOONE La Nación SAN JOSE- In an emotional act of protocol, the monument to José Figueres-Ferrer, who abolished the army in Costa Rica and laid the groundwork for the country's development in this half of the century, was unveiled yesterday. Upon his victorious arrival to the capital, exactly 50 years ago, Figueres-Ferrer, who spared the social conquests achieved by the vanquished forces in a short but bloody 40-day civil war-- which left 2,000 dead--, declared that Costa Ricans should follow the star of ``the well being for the greatest number.'' In such maner, Figueres, popularly called ``Don Pepe'', began a series of transformations during his 18 months in charge of the Board of Governing in which the development of this nation during this half of the century is based. ``With a strong blow, Don Pepe broke down the wall of the Bellavista Fort, forever abolishing the army in this country,'' declared President José María Figueres, the son of Don Pepe who died in 1990 at the age of 84. Following the acts of Figueres-Ferrer, ``forts became museums, rifles were abandoned for books and tractors opened the way for violins,'' affirmed the president, alluding to his father's historic phrase, ``Why tractors without violins?'', uttered as he began a decisive program of cultural development. The abolition of the army ``was an act of courage and generosity which permitted the reconciliation and the opening of opportunities for all,'' said Figueres. The Costa Rica of 1948 was a destitute place without electricity, almost devoid of industry and with few schools; a people without electoral guarantees and without freedom of expression, recalled the president. Today the country is better prepared to face the challenges of the next century and ``to develop a more just and integrated heritage.'' ``We should continue to follow the star of the well-being of the greatest number,'' as Don Pepe expressed it 50 years ago, said the chief executive who will step down on May 8. The monument, which is some 18 feet tall, is in the Plaza de laDemocracia (Square of Democracy) in the center of the capital and just to the side of the Bellavista Fort, where Don Pepe symbollically knocked down a wall to announce the abolition of the army on December 1, 1948. The work, which presents Figueres in a simple manner, in work clothes and unaccesorized, was designed by Cost Rican artist Marisel Jiménez and the architect, Roberto Villalobos, and was founded in bronze in Spain. Figueres-Ferrer began an armed movement against the government of Teodoro Picado after disputing the results of an election. © 1998. LA NACION S.A. The material included in La Nación Edición Electrónica cannot be reproduced, transmited or distributed totally or in part without previous written authorization from La Nación S.A. If you need more information or if you want to contribute your suggestions, please write to webmaster@nacion.co.cr |
