Arias hopes to mend divisions over DR-CAFTA

Arias hopes to mend divisions over DR-CAFTA Oscar Arias, a Nobel Prize winner known for his ability to unite disparate factions, was sworn in as president of Costa Rica Monday, returning to the presidency he held from 1986 to 1990.
   An Associated Press report noted Arias hopes to use his mediation skills to overcome the sharp divisions in his country concerning free trade with the U.S.
   Costa Rica has signed the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement with the U.S., but the Costa Rican Congress has yet to ratify the agreement.
   The AP report noted that while Latin American leaders and first lady Laura Bush watched Monday's inauguration at Costa Rica National Stadium, about 4,000 demonstrators outside the stadium called for Costa Rica to stay out of the DR-CAFTA agreement.