To demilitarize the country means to make a profound decision. It is not enough to change the name of the armed forces. It is necessary to change the minds of those people who only yesterday wore a military uniform. — Óscar Arias Copy Share Image
While the armed forces have intervened in the political affairs of every other Central American country over the past fifty years, with disastrous results, in Costa Rica we have peacefully transferred power from one administration to the next every four… — Oscar Arias Copy Share Image
The 20th century has been marked by cynicism, selfishness, greed, and the desire to please, all without changing the status quo. In the 21st… — Óscar Arias Copy Share
War, and the preparation for war, are the two greatest obstacles to human progress, fostering a vicious cycle of arms buildups, violence and poverty. — Oscar Arias Copy Share
On Dec. 1, 1948, after the triumph of the revolution, which insured the final victory of the will of the people expressed through elections,… — Óscar Arias Copy Share
“It is essential that justice be done, it is equally vital that justice not be confused with revenge, for the two are wholly different.” — Oscar Arias Copy Share
The best way to perpetuate poverty is by spending on arms and military, and the best way to fight terrorism is by fighting the… — Óscar Arias Copy Share
India, Pakistan, China, Singapore and South Korea are heavily investing in nuclear arms. Since 21st century is the century of Asia, Asian countries should… — Óscar Arias Copy Share
Peace consists, very largely, in the fact of desiring it with all one's soul. The inhabitants of my small country, Costa Rica, have realized… — Oscar Arias Copy Share
During my administration, our desire has been to strengthen the civilian spirit of our people. Thus, we have eliminated military ranks and salutes from… — Óscar Arias Copy Share
Our world is certainly dangerous, but it is made more dangerous, not less, by those who value profits over peace. — Óscar Arias Copy Share
It's clear to me that many weapons sales are very short-sighted. The U.S. and other arms-producing countries sell weapons for a variety of reasons,… — Oscar Arias Copy Share
To demilitarize the country means to make a profound decision. It is not enough to change the name of the armed forces. It is… — Óscar Arias Copy Share
We seek in Central America not peace alone, not peace to be followed someday by political progress, but peace and democracy, together, indivisible, an… — Óscar Arias Copy Share
Free trade will go a long way toward alleviating poverty in Central America. Yet trade alone is not enough. — Óscar Arias Copy Share
Many developing countries continue to be burdened by high percentages of their population living in poverty. Yet, instead of addressing this root cause of… — Óscar Arias Copy Share
If there is no peace in Central America, it will not be because Costa Rica, and myself as president, have not done what is… — Óscar Arias Copy Share
