UNCLAS SAN JOSE 001780

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CEN AND WHA/PPC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS UNSC IS LE CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA: URGENT DEMARCHE ON UNSC LEBANON
RESOLUTION DELIVERED

REF: STATE 132517


1. (U) On August 12, as instructed per Reftel, DCM provided
copies of the non-paper, the Secretary's statement and UNSCR
1701 to Antonio Alarcon, Chief of Staff for FonMin Stagno.
DCM and Pol/C followed up with a meeting with Alarcon at OOB
on August 14. DCM reiterated the importance of not only
ending the Israeli-Hezbollah violence immediately, but also
of creating the conditions for a durable ceasefire. DCM also
stressed that UNSCR 1701 was only the first step in that
process.


2. (U) Alarcon understood the importance of the issue,
noting that a peaceful resolution to the conflict was also
important to the GOCR because of Costa Rican business
interests in the Middle East. He thanked the DCM for our
timely approach. Alarcon had earlier passed the non-paper
and resolution to the FM, and was to meet with Stagno and
Amb. Duenas, visiting from Washington, immediately after our
session. Alarcon promised to provide an official reaction in
the next few days.

LANGDALE