Cablegate: Costa Rica Agrees On Iran, but Sees No Opportunity

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DE RUEHSJ #0793 2602217
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 172217Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1211
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0845

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000793

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DEPT FOR WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL AORC CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA AGREES ON IRAN, BUT SEES NO OPPORTUNITY
FOR DIALOGUE

REF: SECSTATE 95073

1. (SBU) Costa Rican Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno told us on
September 21 that while the GOCR agrees with our position
regarding Iran's nuclear program (reftel), it does not
anticipate any opportunity to communicate this message to
Iran in the near future. The GOCR does not have diplomatic
relations with Iran, is not part of the non-aligned movement,
and does not have any planned meetings with the GOI at the
UNGA or the General Conference of the IAEA. Stagno also used
the opportunity to express his dissatisfaction with more
lenient US policies on nuclear proliferation, in particular
USG policies towards Israeli, Indian, and Pakistani nuclear
programs.

2. (SBU) Comment: Costa Rica, which abolished its military in
1949, has widely called for the complete demilitarization of
Latin America and is deeply interested in international
non-proliferation and disarmament issues. As such, Stagno's
light criticism of USG policies is not unexpected. However,
the GOCR remains committed to international (and USG) efforts
to oppose Iran's nuclear weapons program. That said, as
Stagno admitted, they have no real ability to influence the
GOI on this, or any other, matter.

BRENNAN

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