|
|
Article: Oscar Arias, Defiantly; the Nobel-Winning Costa Rican and His Power Play for Peace
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- October 30, 1987
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
In December 1986, when Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez
was visiting Washington, the late CIA Director William Casey summoned
him over to Langley for a secret one-on-one meeting.
Arias refused to go.
Instead the Costa Rican, winner this month of the 1987 Nobel
Peace Prize, said he would see Casey in his Westin Hotel presidential
suite. There the aging spy master was greeted by a noisy roomful of
Costa Rican officials, Arias' entire delegation, all dying to ogle
the renowned chief of American intelligence.
For half an hour Casey perched awkwardly next to Arias in front
of the delighted spectators as the two men exchanged what one Costa
Rican remembered as "laughable ...