Nobel laureate returning to lead divided Costa Rica

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica
Nobel laureate Oscar Arias begins a second stint as president of Costa Rica on Monday, taking power in a nation divided over free trade with the United States and widely seen as rudderless.

Dignitaries from around the world, including former Polish President Lech Walesa, another Nobel Peace Prize winner, arrived over the weekend and met with the president-elect. U.S. First Lady Laura Bush was expected to attend Monday's ceremony.

Arias first served as president during the 1980s, when Central America was ripped by civil wars. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in brokering an end to the conflicts.


Now he takes the helm as the nation and region focus on economic integration. He pledges to put his country of 4 million people on the road to developed-nation status but lacks a clear mandate after his unexpectedly close election win.

Arias vows to push the Central American Free Trade Agreement with the United States, or CAFTA, through Congress.

Costa Rica has signed, but has yet to ratify the agreement already passed by the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

But Arias, who was initially expected to win the February 2 race by a landslide, instead squeaked out a 1.12 percent victory over challenger Otton Solis, a CAFTA opponent.
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