COSTA RICA: UNESCO DEMARCHE DELIVERED

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 002437 SIPDIS WHA/CEN EB FOR WCRAFT, BLAMPRON E FOR DEDWARDS WHA FOR WMIELE WHA/EPSC FOR KURS, LGUMBINER H FOR JHAGAN STATE PASS TO USTR FOR RVARGO, NMOORJANI, AMALITO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD PREL SCUL CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICA: UNESCO DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: SECSTATE 189518 ¶1. Despite Post efforts to secure Costa Rican support for the U.S. position on the UNESCO declaration, and although our interlocutors have not been in a position to provide specific feedback, it appears that the GOCR does not intend to back our position on this issue. On October 14, 2005, Econoff delivered talking points to Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Doris Osterlof. Poloff had previously delivered talking points to Edwin Arias, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Neither official would express support for the U.S. position. In addition, Post forwarded a letter signed by the Charge conveying the content of Secretary Gutierrez's letter contained in reftel to Minister of Foreign Affairs Roberto Tovar with a copy to Minister of Foreign Trade Manuel Gonzalez. ¶2. The Executive Director of the Costa Rican American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Lynda Solar met with Vice Minister Osterlof on October 12, 2005 to discuss concerns that businesses have about this issue. Osterlof did not indicate that the GOCR had taken a position. FRISBIE