

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06SANJOSE1650, A/S SHANNON VISITS TOP COSTA RICAN OFFICIALS
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06SANJOSE1650.
VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSJ #1650/01 2091927
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 281927Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5678
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN JOSE 001650
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR CS
SUBJECT: A/S SHANNON VISITS TOP COSTA RICAN OFFICIALS
Classified By: Amb. Mark Langdale for reasons 1.4 (b&d).
¶1. (C) Summary: A/S Tom Shannon visited Costa Rica June
27-29, calling on key officials of the new Arias
Administration as well as the International Relations
Committee of the Legislative Assembly. A/S Shannon discussed
security issues and prospects for ratification of the Central
American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The visit received
broad publicity. End Summary.
¶2. (C) Shortly after his arrival, A/S Shannon met with Vice
President Kevin Casas, Minister of Presidency Rodrigo Arias
(brother and closest advisor to President Oscar Arias) and
Minister of Public Security Fernando Berrocal to discuss
security issues. All three officials were very interested in
A/S Shannon's views on the November elections in Nicaragua.
Arias stated that an Ortega victory would be a political and
security disaster for Costa Rica, adding that many private
Costa Ricans, especially in the business sector, were
contributing to the Montealegre campaign. The GOCR, however,
was intentionally being very circumspect to avoid any action
that could be interpreted as meddling in Nicaragua's internal
affairs. Casas stated that Costa Rica is in a downward
spiral in terms of security adding that it is not in U.S.
interests to wait for it to hit rock bottom. Arias countered
that perceptions of insecurity were worse than the reality
but added that Costa Rica desperately needs to increase its
police presence. Arias said that he does not expect
large-scale anti-CAFTA demonstrations nor major disruptions
unless the GOCR is seen as unable to implement its agenda
between now and December when he expects the treaty to come
to a vote in the Legislature. Berrocal agreed, stating that
the number of CAFTA opponents willing to engage in violent
protests is small--perhaps 500-600 students plus seven or
eight thousand union members. Without additional resources
for security, however, even this small number could easily
overwhelm security forces, he added.
CAFTA in the Assembly
---------------------
¶3. (C) On June 28, over breakfast with the President of the
Legislative Assembly and members of the International
Relations Committee which is holding hearings on CAFTA, A/S
Shannon was treated to a first-hand look at the challenges to
ratification. Each Deputy had an entirely different view and
collectively they spoke for over an hour--leaving only a few
minutes at the end of the meeting for A/S Shannon to respond.
Unsurprisingly, the most strident positions and memorable
lines came from members of the opposition PAC party (i.e.
"history has shown that when the U.S. and Costa Rica
disagree, Costa Rica is right").
¶4. (C) A trend among the various speeches was the view that
the U.S. is demanding a very high price in the opening of
state monopolies but is not offering enough in return as
reflected in repeated requests for more bilateral assistance.
Examples, which came even from CAFTA supporters, included
several requests for more help for small and medium-sized
businesses and government-to-government technology transfers.
PAC Deputies presented A/S Shannon with two letters, the
text of which they had already released to the media. One
letter criticized the "certification" process for determining
that implementing legislation is compliant with the terms of
CAFTA. This amounts to proof, according to the PAC, that
CAFTA can be re-negotiated. The second letter demanded the
White House either remove all mention of Costa Rica's
temporary support for the Iraq Coalition or post a new list
on its webpage without Costa Rica.
¶5. (U) The breakfast was followed by a joint press conference
in which Assembly President Fransisco Pacheco told reporters
that the meeting had been a cordial exchange of ideas aimed
at addressing various concerns among the Deputies. For his
part, A/S Shannon stressed that U.S.-Costa Rican relations
are diverse and mature, allowing for frank discussions since
both countries are committed to democracy and prosperity.
The A/S also reminded the public that CAFTA is a means to an
ends, a motor for development, and not an end in itself.
Tour d' Horizon with President Arias
------------------------------------
¶6. (C) A/S Shannon met with President Arias over lunch.
Arias was accompanied by his brother Rodrigo, Minister
Without Portfolio Marco Vargas, Foreign Minister Bruno
Stagno, Acting Trade Minister Amparo Pacheco and Costa Rican
Ambassador to Washington Thomas Duenas. Arias touched
briefly on Nicaragua and CAFTA, expressing his belief that
Ortega is unlikely to win but worrying at some length about
the impact of a wave of Nicaraguan refugees on Costa Rica's
overstretched educational and health care systems. On CAFTA,
Arias assured A/S Shannon that he had the votes for
ratification but complained that Costa Rica's is the only
Assembly in the world which cannot set a specific date to
vote on an issue. Arias then shifted to the topic of
Venezuela and Hugo Chavez. Arias called Chavez a "clown" and
quizzed A/S Shannon on Venezuela's petrochemical interests in
the U.S. with particular interest in Venezuelan refineries
and petrochemical plants. Stagno pointed out that Venezuela
disrupts or destroys every regional group it joins. He cited
Mercosur, the Rio Group, and the Andean Group as examples and
added that Venezuela's heavy-handedness in its bid for a seat
in the UN Security Council has made a GRULAC consensus
impossible. Stagno assessed that Venezuela has overshadowed
Brazil's influence in these groups to the point that Lula
would be happy if he could contain Evo Morales much less Hugo
Chavez.
¶7. (C) Both Stagno and Arias complained that Costa Rica is
being punished for its success. Development aid policy,
according to their perspective, has become
perverse--rewarding corruption and poverty by flowing aid
toward countries that are basket cases. According to Stagno,
Costa Rica and other middle income countries have a higher
absolute number (albeit a lower percentage) of people living
in poverty but don't qualify for assistance because of
relatively good governance. Nevertheless, through free trade
agreements such as CAFTA, middle income countries are
required to compete with the developed world. Arias added
that Costa Rica serves as an escape valve for Nicaragua.
Rich Nicaraguans go to the U.S., according to Arias, whereas
Costa Rica absorbs the poorest ones. Arias fears proposed
reforms to U.S. immigration law will make the situation worse
for Costa Rica since more immigrants will settle here if they
cannot reach the U.S.
¶8. (C) In response to a query by A/S Shannon, Arias stated
that China does not offer a viable political model for Latin
America. Arias believes that democracy is too deeply rooted
in the region to be threatened by engagement with China.
Economically, however, Arias called China a very different
story. In response to praise regarding his personal role in
how far Central America has come since the 1980's, Arias
called the progress relative. Compared with the progress
made by Asia, and in particular China, since the 1980's,
Arias said Central America should be considered a disaster.
Perspectives of the Economic Cabinet
------------------------------------
¶9. (C) The Ambassador hosted a dinner for A/S Shannon with
leading members of Arias's economic team. Participants
included Minister of Production Alfredo Volio, Minister of
Environment and Energy Roberto Dobles, Minister of Housing
Fernando Zumbado, fomer Central Bank President Eduardo Lizano
and Acting Trade Minister Amparo Pacheco. A wide-ranging
discussion ensued but central themes were the numerous
legislative devices available for delaying CAFTA ratification
and the even greater difficulty in drafting and enacting the
necessary implementing legislation. Minister Robles is
playing a critical role in this process since he previously
headed the telecom monopoly (ICE). Note: legislation opening
the telecom and insurance monopolies to competition is
expected during extraordinary legislative sessions in August
when the Executive branch controls the legislative agenda.
Public sector unions recently announced that the presentation
of this legislation will be the trigger for long-threatened
massive demonstrations against CAFTA. End Note. Lizano
asked A/S Shannon to consider U.S. observership in the
Central American Bank for Economic Integration. Mere
observer status would help the bank obtain a better credit
rating and lower its costs according to Lizano. In addition
to the Centrals, the bank also counts Argentina, Colombia,
Mexico, Spain and China as members. A/S Shannon offered to
look into the matter upon his return to Washington.
Broad Press Coverage
--------------------
¶10. (U) A/S Shannon's visit received broad and positive press
coverage. At every stop on his June 28 itinerary A/S
Shannon's comments on Costa Rica's leadership role in the
region, CAFTA as a means rather than an end, and that
re-negotiation of CAFTA on a bilateral basis is impossible at
this point received prominent coverage. A/S Shannon held an
outreach event with students of English at the Bi-National
Cultural Center which was originally funded by the U/S.
After a tour of the facility and brief remarks, A/S Shannon
fielded numerous questions from student and reporters.
¶11. (U) A/S Shannon did not clear this cable.
LANGDALE