Ah, don Abel: Words from a Highly Quotable Head of State

“Next Tuesday, we will begin the fourth and final year of this administration. Thank God.”

–President Abel Pacheco,

following a Cabinet

meeting in May.

“Let them keep pulling their hair out.”

-In January, regarding worried supporters

of the Central American Free-Trade

Agreement (CAFTA) who urged him to

submit the pact to the assembly.

 “(Without a new sewer project) we will soon be drinking water contaminated with crap, to be exact.”

-In February, on the Water and Sewer

Institute’s plans for

improvement.

“They gave me every possible test. I think the only one I’m missing is the papanicolau (pap smear)… I’m a very good patient. All these years of marriage have made me very obedient.”

-Following a brief hospitalization

in February because of

chest pains.

“My position has not changed. It’s not that I’m for or against CAFTA… I’m in favor of a good free-trade agreement, and against a bad free-trade agreement.”

-Clarifying matters for reporters

in May.