MEDIA COVERAGE OF PRESIDENT BUSH'S CONGRATULATORY

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000584

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN JASON MACK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CS
SUBJECT: MEDIA COVERAGE OF PRESIDENT BUSH'S CONGRATULATORY
CALL TO PRESIDENT-ELECT ARIAS



1. Most major news outlets reported on President Bush's
congratulatory call to Oscar Arias on his election as
president. Arias freely discussed the topics and tenor of
his conversation with President Bush, which lasted for
approximately five minutes.


2. The press focused on three aspects of the conversation:

--CAFTA-DR: On the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic
Free Trade Agreement, Arias reported that Bush lamented the
fact that Costa Rica is "losing time by not approving the
deal, and that it's beginning to harm some businesses, above
all textiles." Arias reiterated his position that failure to
approve CAFTA-DR will result in restricted access to U.S.
markets and eventually lead to layoffs. He told reporters
that he assured President Bush that he will work to expedite
ratification of CAFTA-DR.

--Democracy: Arias reported that he and President Bush
discussed Costa Rica's role in bolstering regional democracy,
with President Bush concerned that some countries in the
region are not moving in the "correct direction" to
consolidate democratic institutions. Arias said that
President Bush asked for his help in promoting democracy, and
Arias responded that he will use his position as President of
the most established democracy in Latin America to help
strengthen regional democracy. When asked whether this meant
that Costa Rica would have closer relations with the U.S.,
Mexico and Chile than with Venezuela and Bolivia, Arias, true
to form, responded that Costa Rica would be "friends with the
whole world," but clarified that there is no question that he
is much more closely aligned ideologically with Ricardo Lagos
of Chile than with Evo Morales or Hugo Chavez.

--Relations: Arias stated his belief that Costa Rica will
enjoy friendlier relations with the U.S. than during his
previous administration. Arias indicated he did not extend
an invitation to President Bush, whom he described as
amiable, to attend his May 8 inauguration ceremony because
"the president of the United States never attends transfers
of power."
LANGDALE