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