COSTA RICA SUPPORTING LIBYAN UNSC SETTLEMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN JOSE 000589 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN AND IO/UNP E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2018 TAGS: IS LE PREL SY UNSC CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICA SUPPORTING LIBYAN UNSC SETTLEMENTS RESOLUTION REF: A. STATE 73171 ¶B. USUN 614 ¶C. SAN JOSE 129 Classified By: POL/C David E. Henifin for reason 1.4(d). ¶1. (SBU) We delivered Ref A on July 9 to Antonio Alarcon, FoMin Stagno's Chief of Staff, and to Juan Salas, MFA UNSC Desk Officer. Alarcon told DCM Brennan they would review the issue carefully, and, based on our points, Alarcon did not think the GOCR would have a problem going along with the U.S. on this one. However, PolOff spoke around the same time to Salas, who told us the GOCR was supporting the resolution, but wanted to confirm it was the Libyan version they were supporting. ¶2. (SBU) After seeing Ref B, PolOff contacted Salas again on July 10 to confirm the GOCR's position, and was told by Salas that Costa Rica was/was supporting the Libyan version. Salas asked PolOff to send our points in writing so that he could inform others at the MFA. As we were prohibited from leaving a non-paper by Ref A, we reiterated the points verbally. Salas asked PolOff to follow up with UNSC Team Member Deyanira Ramirez, who is handling Middle East issues. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: We suspect that Costa Rica's newly-widened diplomatic ties to seven Arab nations and the "State" of Palestine (Ref C) may be fueling this rather odd MFA position. Based on Alarcon's original comments and the MFA's request for our views, the door may still be open to bring Costa Rica around. We assume USUN can do this more effectively, directly (and quickly) in New York. If we can buttress those efforts here, please advise. CIANCHETTE