COSTA RICA SUPPORTS UN PRST ON NORTH KOREAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN JOSE 000301 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2019 TAGS: UNSC NK CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICA SUPPORTS UN PRST ON NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCH REF: SECSTATE 35897 Classified By: DCM Peter Brennan for Reasons 1.4 (D). ¶1. (C) After alerting our vacationing MFA counterparts on Easter Sunday, we delivered reftel demarche to MFA UN Desk Officer Adriana Murillo and Disarmament Chief Carlos Cordero the morning of April 13. Murillo stated that Costa Rica initially would have preferred a stronger response, including a UNSC Resolution, to deal with North Korea's violation of UNSC Resolution 1718. However, as that was no longer a viable option, they are satisfied with, and prepared to support, the Presidential Statement. ¶2. (C) Cordero stated that after examining the Presidential Statement, which they received from their Mission in New York, the GOCR agrees that by using existing structures within UNSCR 1718 it could accomplish the same goals as a new resolution. They requested that we update them with any further news regarding a hoped for adoption of the Presidential Statement. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Costa Rica has always portrayed itself as a "champion of disarmament", and appears ready to back up that claim with regards to North Korea. In addition, our MFA interlocutors did not insist on textual modifications to the draft PRST. Given Costa Rica,s stated desire for a stronger response, the GOCR should be an ally if/when further sanctions are sought under the auspices of UNSCR 1718. CIANCHETTE