Dear friends,

Those of you who read the last message posted by the UCCR on August 9th will recall that we had reached the conclusion that a negotiated settlement offered the most promise for recovery of our investments in the near term and that our attention would be focused upon measures to bring the parties together to negotiate.

 During the past weeks, we have investigated the matter of the legal representation that might be needed and available if and when LEV should signal a willingness to proceed.  It is reasonable to assume, however, that a well-founded distrust of the system of justice here in Costa Rica is at an all time high after witnessing the treatment of his brother.  For the time being at least, it is clear that the negotiation option seems to be tabled.

 A second alternative is for LEV to await the termination of the statute of limitations.  The time period applied to this case is the maximum of ten years.  At that time, LEV would have the right to request that all charges be dropped and that his Costa Rican passport be reinstated.  This would effectively remove the current obstacles to regaining control of his foreign bank accounts.

 We were all shocked by the miscarriage of justice in the trial of Osvaldo, and further shocked by the blanket rejection from the higher court.  This matter should have been over long ago, but it is not.  Osvaldo remains in jail and we still do not have our money.

 The UCCR Board has been working without compensation for nearly six years to represent the interests of all investors.  Our principal mission has been to monitor closely the progress of this case and to inform investors of what was happening.  Most recently, following the disastrous barrage of negative rulings from the courts, we attempted to open new paths toward a resolution.

 However, now that the legal remedies are exhausted, we as a Board have been obliged to reconsider what we should be doing at this time.  In truth, the next move must come from LEV himself.  We will therefore modify our activities as an organization and eliminate all but our basic functions until such time as we may have a clear sense of direction.

 What does this mean?  We will maintain our EBS system and our email accounts open to provide and accept information from investors.  We will also preserve the infrastructure that was set in place to assist LEV in the repayment of investors.  (Be assured that membership data remains archived and protected until such time as it may be required for settlement of accounts.)

 As we receive pertinent information that would justify any action on our part, we will proceed as necessary.  In the meantime, we wish all of you good health, happiness, and much patience, as we await the next chapter of this saga to take shape.