Cablegate: Costa Rica Not Likely to Oppose Cuba Embargo

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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSJ #2543 3131659
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091659Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6593
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0732

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 002543

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CEN JASON MACK AND IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA PREL PHUM UN CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA NOT LIKELY TO OPPOSE CUBA EMBARGO
RESOLUTION

REF: STATE 184156

1. (SBU) Late afternoon of November 7, Polcouns discussed
reftel talking points regarding the Cuba embargo resolution
and the proposed Australian human rights amendment with
Antonio Alarcon, chief of staff for Minister of Foreign
Affairs Bruno Stagno. Post also delivered talking points to
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the
discussion. Alarcon indicated that he would consult with
vice-Minister Edgar Ugalde and Director of Foreign Policy
Jose Chaverri before responding.

2. (SBU) On November 8, 12:30 P.M. EST, Alarcon told Polcouns
that Ugalde and Chaverri were still considering the matter.
When reminded that the vote on the resolution was scheduled
to take place shortly, or had already taken place, Alarcon
elaborated a little further. He said that the human rights
aspect of the Australian amendment gave the Cuban embargo
debate a "new dimension" from the GOCR,s perspective, in
light of Costa Rica,s strong support for human rights in
general. Alarcon added, however, that Costa Rica,s support
for human rights should take place "in the appropriate fora,"
and that any GOCR position on the embargo issue should be
consistent with the anti-embargo position Latin American
countries, including Costa Rica, agreed to during the
November 3-5 Ibero-American summit.

3. (SBU) COMMENT: Alarcon was politely signaling that the
GOCR will not oppose this year,s Cuban embargo resolution
(and probably will not abstain, either). In light of the
importance to the Arias government of gaining a UNSC seat for
the 2008-2010 term, we anticipate continued Tico reluctance
to take actions that go against the flow in the UNGA.
LANGDALE

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