AJC Expresses Gratitude to Costa Rica

American Jewish Committee
Tuesday, 1 February 2000

An American Jewish Committee leadership delegation of more than 125 people is visiting Costa Rica this week to express gratitude to the Central American nation.

"Costa Rica stands out as a dear friend of the Jewish people and a stalwart ally of Israel," said David A. Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee.

"We are coming to San Jose to express in person our deepest appreciation for Costa Rica's remarkable friendship and support, exemplified by its laudable decision in 1953 to establish its embassy in Jerusalem, one of only two countries in the world that still maintains its embassy in the Israeli capital."

The leadership delegation is convening in San Jose for AJC's annual Board of Governors Institute.

The four-day meeting, which begins tomorrow, will include separate sessions with Costa Rican President Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Foreign Minister Ing. Roberto Rojas. AJC President Bruce M. Ramer will present President Rodriguez with AJC's Award for Distinguished Public Service.

The AJC delegation also will meet with the Intra-American Institute of Human Rights, the region's preeminent human rights organization, which is based in Costa Rica and was founded with the aid of the American Jewish Committee.

They also will spend Shabbat with the 2,500 member Jewish community in Costa Rica.

AJC's leadership last visited Costa Rica in 1997. A year later, Costa Rican President Jose Maria Figueres was honored at AJC's Annual Meeting.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org