EuropaWorld 19/1/2001 Oscar Arias Sanchez

Oscar Arias Sanchez was born into a prominent coffee-growing family in 1941. In contrast to the Costa Rican village in which he grew up, he completed his secondary education in the United States. On his return, he read law and economics at the University of Costa Rica, his thesis on 'Pressure Groups in Costa Rica' earning him a national prize. Having completed his degree, he went on to take a doctorate in political science in England, with a thesis on the subject of "Who rules Costa Rica?"

As the titles of his theses might suggest, Dr. Arias took a keen interest in the politics of his country. As a student he was actively involved with the work of the moderate National Liberation Party (PLN), and in 1970 he embarked on a political career of his own, as assistant to Jose Figueres, a former President who was again seeking election. When Figueres was elected two years later, Arias was given a seat in his government as Minister of National Planning and Political Economy. He held this post until 1977 - time enough to implement a successful economic stimulus programme and earn enough recognition to be elected to the national assembly the following year, and as leader of the PLN the year after that. He led the PLN to election victory in 1986 and took office as President with the platform "roofs, jobs, and peace".

Having completed his term of office in 1990, Dr Arias now has the rare satisfaction of knowing that he delivered on his election promises. Under his leadership, the economy thrived; Costa Rica was the richest country with the highest standard of living in the region. The gross national product increased by an average of 5% and the unemployment rate of 3.4% was the lowest in the hemisphere. There was also a strong social welfare programme, which, again following his election promise, included an initiative to provide housing to the poor.

However it is his work to fulfil his third electoral promise of peace, which is surely Arias' greatest contribution, not just to Costa Rica, but to all humanity.

Dr. Arias assumed office at a time when Central America was embroiled in discord and violence. The fall of the Somoza dictatorship in neighbouring Nicaragua in 1979 and the introduction of the Sandinista regime brought contention to the region, which was exacerbated by the ideological and military interference of both America and Russia. The resulting interventions had left the region in crisis - with civil war in Guatemala, internal unrest in El Salvador and Nicaragua, and increasing border tensions between Nicaragua and its neighbouring states: Honduras and Costa Rica. Difficult conditions in which to fulfil the third electoral promise. However as Arias has since reminded us, "History is not made by those who predict failure." Despite the mounting pressures for Costa Rica to become involved in the conflict, Arias maintained neutrality and instead acted as a broker of peace.

Following continuous visits to the Central American presidents, President Arias drafted a peace plan to end the regional crisis in February 1987. It called for cease-fires in all guerrilla wars in the region, a stop to outside military aid and media censorship, a general amnesty for political prisoners, eventual free elections and reductions in civil- and human-rights abuses. Widely known as the 'Arias Peace Plan', it was an ambitious proposal supported by a passionate belief in democracy, human rights and peace. His initiative culminated in the signing of a peace agreement by all the Central American presidents six months later. It was the beginning of peace in a region long characterised by volatility and violence. Along with numerous awards in recognition of this contribution to peace, President Arias was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize the same year.

Again taking his own words to heart - that "Peace is not a matter of prizes or of trophies," - Arias used the monetary award from the Nobel Peace Prize to establish the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress. The Foundation works to promote human rights in Central America and to promote demilitarisation and conflict resolution all over the world. It is from this base that this great spokesman for peace continues his pursuit of human happiness and global security.