ARIAS INVITATION TO POTUS FOR NOVEMBER 19 UNSC DEBATE

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000730 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, S/ES-CR and S/ES-O. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC UN OVIP OPDC CS SUBJECT: ARIAS INVITATION TO POTUS FOR NOVEMBER 19 UNSC DEBATE ¶1. On September 8, 2008, we received a diplomatic note from the MFA transmitting a letter from President Arias to POTUS, which invites POTUS to participate in the GOCR-hosted UNSC thematic debate during Costa Rica's November Security Council presidency. The debate will analyze the theme of strengthening multilateral collective security arrangements - both regional and global - under Chapter 8 of the UN Charter. POTUS is invited to participate in the debate on November ¶19. An unofficial translation of Arias' letter is below. ¶2. A scanned copy of the Arias letter was transmitted by email to WHA/CEN and to IO/UNP on September 9. The original will be sent to WHA/CEN in our next outgoing pouch, on September 11. ¶3. BEGIN TEXT of invitation: Oscar Arias-Sanchez The President of the Republic San Jose, Costa Rica 27 August 2008 His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush President United States of America Excellency, Costa Rica will have the honor of assuming the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the upcoming month of November. On this occasion, we will convoke a debate in which all the Member States of the Organization may analyze the topic of strengthening multilateral collective security mechanisms, regional and global, as an incentive for disarmament, and for the reduction of military spending that countries incur to meet their national security needs. The Security Council is the most important of multilateral mechanisms, acting on behalf of all the Member States and in collaboration with regional organisms, safeguarding international peacekeeping and security. The viability of the concept of collective security, on which the UN system was built, rests largely on the effectiveness of this body. My country wants to promote a creative and frank dialogue on the need to strengthen the mechanisms of collective security that the international community counts on. From our perspective, this would allow the allocation of a larger amount of resources for consolidating sustainable peace and promoting development. The main challenge that humanity should overcome today is to free many human beings from poverty. Promoting development in all its aspects, plus environmental and energy challenges, demands greater efforts. In this sense, the exponential increase in military spending should be a reason for concern because it competes directly with the need for investment in human development. Excellency, our countries share principles and aspirations. For this reason, I would like to personally invite you to accompany us in this debate that will take place on November 19. I know that your vision and leadership will enrich our discussion to further the cause of a more peaceful and unified world. In hopes that we can count on your valuable presence in this event, I reiterate the assurances of my highest esteem and consideration. END TEXT. ¶4. Please advise Post of any follow-up response we should deliver to the MFA. CIANCHETTE