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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Costa Rica 'backs US trade deal' | Costa Rica 'backs US trade deal' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Early referendum results show a majority of voters in Costa Rica support a proposed free trade agreement with the United States. | Early referendum results show a majority of voters in Costa Rica support a proposed free trade agreement with the United States. |
| With 89% of votes counted, 51.7% backed the treaty that would give Costa Rica greater access to the US market. | |
| Opponents of the deal fear increased competition could ruin the country's successful economy and put the welfare system at risk. | Opponents of the deal fear increased competition could ruin the country's successful economy and put the welfare system at risk. |
| Five other Central American countries have already ratified the agreement. | Five other Central American countries have already ratified the agreement. |
| Costa Rica is the only country to hold a referendum on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which will also covers Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. | Costa Rica is the only country to hold a referendum on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which will also covers Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. |
| Development opportunity | |
| Supporters of the trade pact, led by President Oscar Arias, say it is a unique development opportunity that will benefit Costa Rica since it is a small country with few natural resources. | |
| But critics object to requirements that Costa Rica open its telecommunications and agricultural sectors to greater competition, and fear it may flood the market with cheap imports. | |
| Costa Ricans have for many years enjoyed more stability and a higher standard of living and public services than their neighbours in Central America. | |
| Earlier Mr Arias said a "No" vote would undermine that position. | |
| "Costa Rica would be saying 'no' to a market of 300 million inhabitants, and that would be a grave error," he said. | |
| "It is a step in the wrong direction for the people of Costa Rica because the Free Trade Agreement would generate more wealth for us." | |
| The issue has provoked repeated protests in Costa Rica, including a two-day strike by public workers last year. |