DEFEATING THE SWISS PROPOSAL ON UNSC REFORM

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 002535 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP CS UNGA SUBJECT: DEFEATING THE SWISS PROPOSAL ON UNSC REFORM REF: STATE 199305 ¶1. (SBU) Poloff discussed reftel demarche with Carlos Cordero, Director for Multilateral Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, on November 1. Cordero was joined by UN Affairs Officer Victor Murillo and Director for Bilateral Policy Ronald Obaldia. In response to our concerns about the Swiss proposal, Cordero stressed that the text is only a proposal at this point. Costa Rica's support for the proposal stems from its view that the Security Council does not reflect the modern world. Cordero stated that Costa Rica supports what he called the consensus view that the Council must accept new members. Costa Rica's vision, according to Cordero, is for a more accountable and transparent Security Council. For this reason, Costa Rica calls for any new members to be non-permanent. Once chosen, a new permanent member would have no obligation to respond to non-Security Council members. However, if any new members were non-permanent and could be reelected, they would have an incentive to be more responsive. ¶2. (SBU) Cordero carefully noted our argument that the proposal further inflames divisions between the General Assembly and the Security Council, and promised to consult further on that point. FRISBIE