Seeking a bold Yule gift? Try Lebanese tiger's milk! By Saray Ramírez Vindas of the A.M. Costa Rica staff Costa Rica became an international country because world conditions have caused immigrants from many nations to settle here. The variety can be found in the food. And one of the most Choice is mild or strong interesting is Lebanon. The gastronomy of Lebanon probably is one of the richest in the world with a lot of Turkish and Arabic influences. Examples can be found on Paseo Colón. Lebanon was for many years a financial center called by the nickname of the Switzerland of Near East. Wars devastated the country and continue to do so even in the 21st century. But being the crossroads for so many years also had an influence on the cuisine. Perhaps unknown to most in the West, Lebanon produces a spirit that is 50 percent alcohol. Fittingly, this is called informally "tiger's milk" or  halib sbee in Arabic. The product name of this challenging drink is Arak Touma. By contrast, most U.S. wines are 14 percent. For those seeking a Christmas present with a jolt, Arak Touma is available at Ajiram, a Lebanese gift store on Paseo Colón. Arak Touma is made from grapes cultivated at 1,500 meters or a bit less than 5,000 feet, where the fruit is more concentrated and rich in vitamins with the added taste of anise seeds. The drink is transparent like water and very potent. For the less bold there is  TSARA, a 13-percent wine that is from the Bekka Valley.  TSARA has been recognized with the silver medal by the world wines selections or Seleccion  Mondiales des Vin in Canada this year. The Bekka Valley is the source of many fine and exquisite wines where the Mediterranean climate prevails with hot, dry summers and rainy winters. Even the Romans recognized the value of wine cultivation here. TSARA can be red, which will go well with cheese, meats, bread or pastas and some international recipies. The white made from sweeter grapes is perfect with fish and seafoods. The Arak Touma, the tiger's milk, comes in a presentation bottle and in several sizes.  Prices range from 6,200 colons (nearly $12) to 9,800 colons (around $19).   TSARA, red or white, comes in a 750 milliliter bottle for 8,500 colons (about $16.30). Ajiram also is the place for other imports from Lebanon, such as spices and oils. The store is across the street from the Torre Mercedes on Paseo Colón and adjacent to Restaurant Lebnan, where the cuisine also is Middle Eastern.

Caja directors again gain
a victory in criminal case


Seven former directors of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social were found not guilty Wednesday of misuse of public funds, according to the Poder Judicial. This is the second time they have been acquitted.

The directors used public money to purchase ads in Spanish-language daily newspapers in support of the Caja's executive director, Eliseo Vargas.

At the time, Vargas was the subject of a number of news stories recounting how he was a tenant in a luxury home in Santa Ana that had been purchased by Corporación Fischel, the drug company and a major supplier for the Caja.

The allegations continued to grow into what is now known as the Finland scandal in which millions designated for medical supplies from that country ended up being diverted to bank accounts of politicians. The country of Finland provided the $35 million loan on the condition that medical machinery was purchased from that country.

Subsequently, many at the Caja-operated hospitals said the equipment was not what was needed.

Former president Miguel Ángel Rodríguez was swept up in the investigation and had to resign as general secretary of the Organization of American States.

Vargas and Rodríguez and others still are under investigation.

The Caja directors had been declared not guilty in an earlier trial, but the Sala III appeals court sent the case back for a new trial.

Intercountry adoption rules
go into effect in U.S. April 1


U.S. President George Bush has signed off on the ratification documents for the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. This is the final procedural step for the United States to become a full member of the Hague Convention.

Maura Harty, assistant secretary of State for consular affairs, will formally deposit this instrument in The Hague Dec. 12, the State Department said. The department said it expects the Hague Convention to go into effect April 1. 
 
The convention establishes international norms and procedures for intercountry adoption cases with other Hague Convention members. The agreement is designed to protect the interests of children, birth parents, and adoptive parents. It also provides that member nations recognize adoptions that take place within other Hague Convention countries. 
                                                                       
The deposit of the instrument completes a process begun in 1994, when the United States signed the convention after participating actively in its negotiation and adoption. In 2000, the Senate consented to ratification and Congress passed implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act.

The agreement sets up a procedure for designating accrediting agencies for companies providing adoption services and the Department of State will maintain a centralized registry to track adoption cases and to receive complaints and comments about accredited adoption service providers.        

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