COSTA RICA DEMARCHED ON UN REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN JOSE 000156 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2116 TAGS: PREL KUNR PHUM ADCO CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICA DEMARCHED ON UN REFORM REF: STATE 4746 Classified By: Amb Mark Langdale for reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Ambassador Langdale and visiting A/DAS David Lindwall delivered reftel demarche to Foreign Minister Tovar on January 17. Tovar was receptive to all of our points, but seemed most inclined to cooperate on reforms to the Human Rights Commission. End Summary. UNHRC -------------- ¶2. (C) Tovar agreed completely with the need to replace the discredited Human Rights Commission. He used the annual Cuba Resolution as an example of the need for reform adding that Costa Rica's willingness to take some diplomatic heat for its principled stands in support of this resolution demonstrates its willingness to work for positive reforms. Tovar nodded in agreement with most of our points and motioned for his staff to take notes on our arguments for retaining country specific resolutions with less than a 2/3's vote. However, Tovar was careful to only commit Costa Rica to continued study of various reform proposals. UN Management -------------- ¶3. (C) Tovar said Costa Rica has long agreed with the U.S. in principle on the need for reform of the UN's business practices. He said that he saw no reason why the UN should not struggle to live on a budget just as its member governments do. Security Council Expansion -------------- ¶4. (C) Tovar raised the issue and regretted that it is politicizing the region. He said Costa Rica faces reprisals due to its decision not to support Japan's bid for inclusion on an expanded Council. Tovar said that Costa Rica would stick to its principles even though Japan was withholding financing for a desperately needed metropolitan aqueduct in retaliation. LANGDALE