COSTA RICA NOT LIKELY TO OPPOSE CUBA EMBARGO

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 002543 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN JASON MACK AND IO/UNP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA PREL PHUM UN CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICA NOT LIKELY TO OPPOSE CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION REF: STATE 184156 ¶1. (SBU) Late afternoon of November 7, Polcouns discussed reftel talking points regarding the Cuba embargo resolution and the proposed Australian human rights amendment with Antonio Alarcon, chief of staff for Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Stagno. Post also delivered talking points to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the discussion. Alarcon indicated that he would consult with vice-Minister Edgar Ugalde and Director of Foreign Policy Jose Chaverri before responding. ¶2. (SBU) On November 8, 12:30 P.M. EST, Alarcon told Polcouns that Ugalde and Chaverri were still considering the matter. When reminded that the vote on the resolution was scheduled to take place shortly, or had already taken place, Alarcon elaborated a little further. He said that the human rights aspect of the Australian amendment gave the Cuban embargo debate a "new dimension" from the GOCR,s perspective, in light of Costa Rica,s strong support for human rights in general. Alarcon added, however, that Costa Rica,s support for human rights should take place "in the appropriate fora," and that any GOCR position on the embargo issue should be consistent with the anti-embargo position Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, agreed to during the November 3-5 Ibero-American summit. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: Alarcon was politely signaling that the GOCR will not oppose this year,s Cuban embargo resolution (and probably will not abstain, either). In light of the importance to the Arias government of gaining a UNSC seat for the 2008-2010 term, we anticipate continued Tico reluctance to take actions that go against the flow in the UNGA. LANGDALE