VZCZCXYZ0208
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSJ #1128 3451746
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 111745Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0112
INFO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SAN JOSE 001128
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN AND PM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS SNAR CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA SECURITY DIALOGUE
REF: STATE 112900
1. Embassy San Jose reports that the United States does not have
an established security dialogue with Costa Rica. However, in the
context of counter-narcotics and law enforcement cooperation, Post
entities such as DEA and the Office of Defense Representative (ODR)
work closely with their counterparts on counterdrug operations,
training, and humanitarian support missions. Additionally, via the
Merida Initiative we have quarterly meetings to review progress
towards achievement of project goals and objectives such as:
Breaking the Power and Impunity of Criminal Organizations; and
Assisting the Government of Costa Rica in Strengthening its Border,
Air, and Maritime controls. These meetings are relatively informal
and are useful opportunities to exchange information.
Additionally, we have a bilateral maritime agreement with Costa
Rica to coordinate maritime seizures of illicit trafficking in
Costa Rican waters.
2. Costa Rica does not maintain a military, but does have a
Ministry of Public Security that is charged with both domestic and
national security. Its largest formation of police officers is a
10,000 person uniformed police force.
BRENNAN