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