FERNANDO BERROCAL, MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN JOSE 001009

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR CS
SUBJECT: FERNANDO BERROCAL, MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY


Classified By: Amb. Mark Langdale for reasons 1.4 (b&d)


1. (C) On May 8, 2006, Fernando Berrocal Soto was sworn in as
Minister of Public Security and Government, along with the
rest of Oscar Arias's cabinet. Berrocal has little
background in security issues but extensive political and
international experience, including two stints as Costa
Rica's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and
Ambassador to the former Soviet Union. A journalist and
attorney specializing in international law, Berrocal is a
strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
and shares President Arias's disdain for military spending
and unilateral foreign policies. Berrocal was a key adviser
to Arias during the campaign and was a member of Arias's
legal team monitoring the manual recount of the ballots. At
age 61, Berrocal is the third oldest member of the new Arias
cabinet (average age is 51).


2. (U) Berrocal was born February 19, 1945 in San Jose Costa
Rica. He studied economics and social sciences at the
University of Rome and earned a law degree from the
University of Costa Rica (UCR) in 1969. Berrocal began his
career as a journalist at La Prensa Libre, one of Costa
Rica's leading daily newspapers. From 1973-1975, he was
alternate commissioner, with the rank of ambassador, to the
Central American Common Market. At age 30, Berrocal was
assigned as Costa Rican Ambassador to the Soviet Union for
three years. In 1978, Berrocal worked for the Latin American
Economic System (SELA) at its headquarters in Caracas, and
served as Deputy Permanent Secretary during 1980-1982.
Berrocal then served as Minister of Presidency (similar to
Chief of Staff) under President Monge until beginning his
first stint as Costa Rica's UN PermRep in 1984. Oscar Arias
replaced Berrocal in 1986 at the beginning of his first
presidential term. Berrocal returned to Costa Rica, joined a
private law practice and remained involved in the affairs of
the National Liberation Party (PLN--to which Arias also
belongs) until he was again named Costa Rican PermRep to the
UN by President Figueres in 1994. Berrocal served as Permrep
throughout the Figueres Administration (1994-1998).


3. (C) At the UN, Berrocal presided over the G-77 in 1996 and
Costa Rica's presidency of the Security Council in 1997.
From these platforms, Berrocal sought to restrict enforcement
actions against Iraq to the previously approved sanctions.
He particularly resisted expanding U.S. enforcement of No-Fly
Zones in Iraq. Berrocal also frequently advocated for the
Arias Foundation's Code of Ethics for Arms Sales during his
time at the UN. Despite opposite positions on Iraq, Berrocal
told us he remains a close personal friend of then U.S.
Ambassador to the UN, Bill Richardson. Berrocal hopes his
relationship with Richardson, now Governor of New Mexico,
will produce resources for Costa Rica, perhaps through
sister-city arrangements.


4. (U) Having returned again to Costa Rica and private law
practice, Berrocal remains an outspoken supporter of the ICC
and critic of U.S. efforts to obtain bilateral agreements
based on Article 98 of the Treaty of Rome which he believes
undermine the court. Berrocal moderated academic conferences
on the ICC in 2002 and 2003. On both occasions, his remarks
characterized the ICC as similar in importance to the 1648
Treaty of Westphalia and the 1945 establishment of the United
Nations. Berrocal's 2002 speech noted with approval that
even the world's sole superpower had been "forced" to submit
to international law and the decisions of Security Council.


5. (U) Berrocal has published numerous books and articles,
primarily addressing economic and social issues from a
social-democratic perspective. He also wrote a lengthy op-ed
condemning Fidel Castro's April 2003 crackdown on dissent
which netted a personal friend, Raul Rivero, from Berrocal's
days as Ambassador in Moscow. In his legal practice,
Berrocal obtained asylum in Costa Rica for Venezuelan
coup-plotter Carlos Ortega in 2003 and successfully delayed
efforts by the Costa Rican government to strip Ortega of his
status in 2004 after Ortega called for the overthrow of
Chavez from Miami and returned clandestinely to
Venezuela--both in violation of the terms of his grant of
asylum. Until Ortega was arrested in Venezuela, Berrocal
insisted that Ortega was in Costa Rica and claimed to have
regular meetings with him.


6. (C) For the past two years, Berrocal has worked closely
with Rodrigo Arias, brother and closest adviser to President
Oscar Arias on developing the Arias platform and an agenda
for governing. For several months during the campaign,
Berrocal was on the short list of potential candidates for
Vice President. Once Laura Chinchilla, an expert on security
issues, was selected as First Vice President, Berrocal's
diplomatic experience and background in international law
would have made him a compelling choice to head the Foreign
Ministry. President Arias decided, however, to keep tight
reins over the Foreign Ministry by appointing a young
protege, Bruno Stagno.


7. (C) In meetings with EmbOffs since his nomination,
Berrocal has been open to suggestions and sincere in his
desire to address problems within the Ministry. Berrocal was
particularly interested in our opinions of many top officials
within the Ministry and left those we identified as effective
in their positions. Although many of his questions have been
basic, Berrocal has shown himself a quick study and is laying
out a logical vision for his tenure. Berrocal admires Mayor
Rudolf Giuliani and credits his "zero tolerance" policies for
restoring security to New York City. Berrocal has
acknowledged publicly that he needs to address corruption
problems within his Immigration Department and, in an unusual
step, has requested a fresh audit of the weapons in the
national armory before accepting responsibility for them. An
audit had just been completed by the outgoing Minister.
Berrocal has also made a concerted effort to smooth relations
with the Attorney General, who is part of the judicial branch
of government.


8. (U) Berrocal is married to Grethel Obando. They have six
children and six grandchildren. Berrocal speaks English and
Italian.
LANGDALE