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