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
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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
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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
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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