Cablegate: Costa Rica: Opposing Unga Resolutions With

VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSJ #0937 3371443
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 021443Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0319
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0810

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000937

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN AND IO/UNP AMORRISON.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNGA XF CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA: OPPOSING UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH
ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS

REF: A. SECSTATE 123081
B. SAN JOSE 129

1. (SBU) We delivered Ref A on November 26 to MFA Deputy
Director of Foreign Policy Alejandro Solano. On December 1,
Solano informed us that Costa Rica typically supported these
resolutions, while always seeking balanced language and
balanced responsibilities on behalf of the parties. He
admitted, however, that there was an "excessive number of
resolutions on this subject" and that the politicization of
the topic of Israel in the UN in no way helped negotiations
and the "space for dialogue." Last year, he said, Costa Rica
abstained on A/62/83 but voted in favor of A/62/80 and
A/62/81.

2. (SBU) Solano reiterated the GOCR's support for: a
two-state solution; the work of the Quartet; condemnation of
terrorist acts in the region; and negotiation of the issues
of borders, the occupied territories, and the wall.

3. (SBU) COMMENT: We do not expect this demarche to change
the GOCR's votes, especially given its recognition of the
"State of Palestine" earlier this year (Ref B). However,
Solano's acknowledgment of the excessive number of
anti-Israeli resolutions and his objection to the
politicization of the topic seems to signal room to be
convinced. We suspect that FonMin Stagno manages this issue
personally, so more pressing at higher levels might be
appropriate in this case. END COMMENT.
CIANCHETTE

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