Oscar Arias to Speak at York College Oct. 18
Posted October 12, 2000FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former President of Costa Rica to Discuss U.S., Latin American Relations
York, Pennsylvania--Former President of Costa Rica and Nobel Laureate Oscar Arias will speak at York College of Pennsylvania on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Wolf Gymnasium. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is the centerpiece of this year's York College cultural series, "A Celebration of Latin America."
Arias' speech is titled "The United States and Latin America: Friends, Interests, or Both?" He will briefly address the history of the Central American civil wars and then discuss policy proposals for Latin America today, such as disarmament, free trade and foreign aid. Throughout the speech, he will share his ideas about the role of the United States in Latin America.
Arias attended Boston University in the United States before returning to his homeland to study law and economics at the University of Costa Rica. He later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Essex in England. In the 1960s, Arias began working for Costa Rica's National Liberation Party (PLN), and in 1972 he was appointed minister of planning, a post he held until 1977. He was elected secretary-general of the PLN in 1979, and in 1986 he won the general election to become president of Costa Rica.
As president during a tumultuous period in Central America, Arias developed a peace plan that called for immediate cease-fires between government and rebel forces and established free elections in all five Central American nations. In August of 1987, Arias and the leaders of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua signed the plan. Two months later, Arias was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. After serving a full term, Arias left office in 1990. He is now president of the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress.
Note: A press opportunity will be held from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall. Press passes are required. Direct all media requests to John Ertter, York College News Bureau Editor, at (717) 815-1309.
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