COSTA RICA OPPOSES G-4 FRAMEWORK

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 001645

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN BOYNTON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OTRA CS UNGA
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA OPPOSES G-4 FRAMEWORK

REF: A. STATE 132429


B. STATE 126870

C. SAN JOSE 1171


1. (SBU) PolOff discussed Costa Rica's views of the proposed
G-4 resolution for expanding the UN Security Council with MFA
Acting Director for Foreign Policy Edwin Arias on July 12,

2005. At that time, Arias said Costa Rica opposed permanent
membership but had not yet finalized its position. Arias
quizzed PolOff at length on our public support for Japan's
permanent membership. In a follow-up conversation on July
15, Arias confirmed that Costa Rica has decided to oppose the
G-4 framework and any other expansion plans involving new
permanent members. Arias said Costa Rica wants to see the
Security Council's membership significantly broadened but
with new members serving six-year terms, eligible for
re-election twice. Arias added that his government had
already communicated this position to the government of Japan.

2. (SBU) Foreign Minister Tovar had told Charge on May 16
that Costa Rica preferred that new UN Security Council
members not be made permanent, but rather serve renewable
terms (ref C).
KAPLAN