NATIONAL GUARD STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR COSTA

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 002113

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC AND PM
DOD FOR OSD POLICY:JALVERSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV SNAR XK CS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL GUARD STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR COSTA
RICA: NEW MEXICO MAY NOT BE THE BEST OPTION

REF: SAN JOSE 2060 (NOTAL)


1. (U) See action request, para 7.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Public Security Minister Berrocal is
enthusiastic about the National Guard,s State Partnership
Program (SPP). Using his relationship with Governor
Richardson, which dates from their service as UN Permreps,
Berrocal believes he has a partnership agreement all but
locked up with New Mexico. He is planning to visit New
Mexico in November, and has told the media the trip is to
conclude "an assistance agreement," presumably for the SPP.
As part of the same trip, Berrocal has also requested the
Embassy to facilitate a visit to SOUTHCOM. Although we
strongly endorse the SPP initiative as a creative way to
provide the sort of training and equipment so sorely needed
by Costa Rican security personnel, New Mexico does not strike
us as the ideal choice as a state partner. Costa Rica would
benefit most, in our view, from working with a state facing
generally similar (and mostly maritime-based),trafficking,
immigration and law enforcement challenges. We are confident
that the National Guard Bureau, DoD, SOUTHCOM and others
involved in the SPP decision will select the partner
best-equipped to meet Costa Rica,s operational needs. END
SUMMARY.


3. (SBU) Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal remains
enthusiastic about the SPP, first raised with him during the
July 28-31 NDU-led workshop on national security strategy.
During a September 8 meeting to discuss other issues (Ref),
Berrocal told the Ambassador that he had twice talked about
the SPP project with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson,
whom Berrocal described as an "old friend" from their days in
New York as UN Permreps. According to Berrocal, Richardson
was also enthusiastic and willing to come to Costa Rica after
the U.S. elections in November to sign a partnership
agreement. The Minister hoped this would lead to additional
training and equipment for Costa Rican security personnel.


4. (SBU) Berrocal has seized on the New Mexico partnership
idea. On September 19, his staff informed us that the
Minister himself now planned to make an "official visit" to
New Mexico November 12-14, to explore possibilities for
security assistance for Costa Rica. Berrocal has already
told the local media that he would sign an "assistance
agreement" (NFI, but we assume he means the SPP agreement)
with Richardson while in New Mexico. Berrocal has also
requested Embassy assistance in organizing an official visit
to U.S. Southern Command, preferably on Wednesday, November
15, after his visit to New Mexico. Fuerza Publica (police)
director Oswaldo Alpizar and Police Academy Director Carlos
Roverssi would accompany Berrocal to New Mexico and Miami.


5. (U) Some of Berrocal,s staff, meanwhile, have been
exposed to the general types of programs and assets that
could be involved in an SPP agreement. September 6-7, Vice
Minister Rafael Gutierrez, Coast Guard Director Carlos
Alvarado, and officers from the Air Component of the Public
Security Ministry visited ANG and USCG units in Puerto Rico,
where they were briefed on U.S. air and maritime efforts
against drug trafficking and illegal immigration, as well as
search and rescue, operational coordination and maintenance
programs.


6. (SBU) COMMENT: We strongly endorse the SPP initiative as
a creative way to provide the sort of security training and
equipment needed by Costa Rica while skirting the
sensibilities of accepting direct military assistance.
However, New Mexico does not strike us as the ideal choice as
a state partner. If Puerto Rico were not already partnering
with two other countries, that would be a logical pairing to
us; the GOCR delegation,s visit there was successful and
useful. Costa Rica would benefit more, in our view, from
working with a state facing generally similar (and mostly
maritime-based) trafficking, immigration and law enforcement
challenges. We are confident that the National Guard Bureau,
DoD, SOUTHCOM and others involved in the SPP decision will
select the partner best-equipped to meet Costa Rica,s
operational needs. Berrocal,s apparent closeness to Gov.
Richardson may also yield some benefits for Costa Rica, but
this should not be the sole or primary factor in identifying
a state partner. More than political support, Costa Rica
needs tangible, well-matched security assistance. END
SOMMENT.


7. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Please advise status of and likely
timetable for SPP decision for Costa Rica.
FRISBIE