COSTA RICA AND GLOBAL MARITIME PARTNERSHIP: MANY

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000500 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS MASS MCAP SNAR CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICA AND GLOBAL MARITIME PARTNERSHIP: MANY ELEMENTS ALREADY IN PLACE REF: STATE 50488 ¶1. On June 10, we briefed Director Martin Arias of the Costa Rican Coast Guard (SNGC) on the Global Maritime Partnership (GMP) initiative. Arias seemed positive about Costa Rica's support of the GMP principles, but will provide us further feedback once the GOCR's Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the SNGC's parent agency, has reviewed the initiative. ¶2. Arias noted, and Post agrees, that the GOCR already supports many, if not all, of the GMP principles as outlined in reftel. ¶3. Post notes that the USG has a dynamic maritime relationship with the GOCR and the SNGC, including the following examples of existing and/or future cooperation: -- a Bilateral Maritime Agreement, ratified in 1999 and good for 10 years, which is primarily counternarcotics focused; -- a Search and Rescue (SAR) Memorandum of Agreement, which is about to be signed with the GOCR; -- plans to bring the USS Swift (HSV) to Costa Rica in FY2009 to provide some training to the SNGC (reftel); -- Costa Rica's first-ever participation in this year's PANAMAX exercise; and -- a USCG conducted survey of the SNGC and the GOCR's capabilities, practices and port activities, intended to assist Costa Rica in the management of its coast guard and maritime/port operations. ¶4. Arias asked if there was/would be a website with more information on the GMP. Please advise. CIANCHETTE