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