DPRK MISSILE LAUNCH: COSTA RICA TENTATIVELY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN JOSE 000281 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/K DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/RA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2019 TAGS: UNSC PREL KNNP CS SUBJECT: DPRK MISSILE LAUNCH: COSTA RICA TENTATIVELY SUPPORTS NEW RESOLUTION REF: SECSTATE 32582 Classified By: DCM Peter Brennan for reasons 1.4 (D). ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel on April 3 to outgoing Costa Rican Deputy UN Permrep Jairo Hernandez, MFA UN Desk Officer Adriana Murillo and MFA Disarmament Chief Carlos Cordero. Murillo stated that the GOCR agreed that the launch of any North Korean rocket would indeed constitute a violation of UNSC Resolution 1718. She added that Costa Rica is tentatively ready to support a new UNSC resolution against North Korea, however they would want to wait until a draft text was available in order to fully commit. ¶2. (C) Murillo said that Costa Rica is also very interested in knowing whether or not the US would be seeking additional sanctions against North Korea in the event of a rocket launch, or only a condemnation of the launch itself. She stated that they had also been in contact with the Japanese Ambassador, who was concerned about the 6-party process and the possible strife additional sanctions might involve. Per reftel, we assured the MFA delegation that the US was committed to the 6-party process, but was intent on responding appropriately to North Korea's actions. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: The GOCR takes seriously the topic of international disarmament, and views the prospect of a North Korean rocket launch as a breach of international agreements. As such, we expect they would support a UNSC response, especially if they can influence the text; this has been a constant refrain during Costa Rica,s UNSC term. With the entire GOCR shut down the week of April 4-8 for Easter, however, we note that obtaining further, immediate response if a DPRK launch takes place then, may be difficult. WILSON