

Currently released so far... 12648 / 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
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
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 Niamey
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 Sapporo
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
AORC
AF
AU
ASEC
AMGT
AS
APER
AR
AG
ARF
AJ
AA
AINF
APECO
AODE
ABLD
AMG
ATPDEA
AE
AEMR
AMED
AGAO
AFIN
AL
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AID
ASCH
AM
AORL
ASEAN
APEC
ADM
AFSI
AFSN
ADCO
ABUD
AN
AY
AIT
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AMCHAMS
AGMT
AADP
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
ACS
APCS
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AFU
BR
BTIO
BY
BO
BA
BU
BL
BN
BM
BF
BEXP
BK
BG
BB
BTIU
BBSR
BRUSSELS
BD
BIDEN
BE
BH
BILAT
BC
BX
BT
BP
BMGT
BWC
CS
CA
CH
CD
CO
CE
CU
CVIS
CASC
CJAN
CI
CPAS
CMGT
CDG
CIC
CAC
CBW
CWC
COUNTER
CW
CT
CY
CNARC
CACM
CG
CB
CM
CV
CIDA
CLINTON
CHR
COE
CR
CIS
CDC
CONS
CF
CODEL
COPUOS
CIA
CFED
CARSON
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CACS
CN
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CARICOM
CSW
CITT
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
EAID
ECON
EFIS
ETRD
EC
ENRG
EINV
EFIN
EAGR
ETTC
ECPS
EINT
ES
EIND
EAIR
EU
EUN
EG
EPET
ELAB
EWWT
EMIN
ECIN
ESA
ER
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EAIG
ET
ETRO
ELTN
EI
EN
EUR
EK
EUMEM
EPA
ENGR
EXTERNAL
EUREM
ELN
EUC
ENERG
ENIV
EZ
ERD
EFTA
ETRC
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ESENV
ENNP
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
EFINECONCS
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXIM
ERNG
ECA
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
IC
IV
IAEA
IR
IO
IT
IN
IS
IZ
IMO
IPR
IWC
ICAO
ILO
ID
ICTY
ICJ
INMARSAT
INDO
IL
IMF
IRS
IQ
IA
ICRC
IDA
IAHRC
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
IDP
ICTR
IEFIN
IRC
ITRA
ITALY
INRB
INTELSAT
IBET
IRAQI
ISRAELI
IIP
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
KBTR
KPAO
KOMC
KCRM
KDEM
KHIV
KBIO
KTIA
KMDR
KNNP
KSCA
KTIP
KWMN
KIPR
KCOR
KRVC
KFRD
KPAL
KWBG
KE
KTDB
KUNR
KSPR
KJUS
KGHG
KAWC
KCFE
KGCC
KOLY
KSUM
KACT
KISL
KTFN
KFLU
KSTH
KMPI
KHDP
KS
KHLS
KMRS
KID
KN
KU
KAWK
KSAC
KCOM
KAID
KIRC
KWMNCS
KMCA
KNEI
KCRS
KPKO
KICC
KPOA
KV
KDRG
KIRF
KSEO
KVPR
KSEP
KTER
KBCT
KFIN
KGIC
KCIP
KZ
KG
KWAC
KRAD
KPRP
KTEX
KNAR
KPLS
KPAK
KSTC
KFLO
KSCI
KIDE
KOMS
KHSA
KSAF
KPWR
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KRIM
KVRP
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KWMM
KMFO
KMOC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KREC
KX
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KMIG
KRGY
KIFR
MARR
MOPS
MASS
MX
MNUC
MCAP
MO
MR
MEPP
MTCRE
MAPP
MEPN
MZ
MT
ML
MA
MY
MIL
MD
MASSMNUC
MU
MK
MTCR
MUCN
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MC
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTRE
MASC
MG
MARAD
MRCRE
MW
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
NATO
NZ
NL
NO
NK
NU
NPT
NI
NG
NEW
NSF
NA
NPG
NSG
NE
NSSP
NS
NDP
NSC
NAFTA
NH
NV
NP
NPA
NSFO
NT
NW
NASA
NORAD
NATIONAL
NGO
NR
NIPP
NZUS
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
OEXC
OTRA
OPRC
OVIP
OAS
OIIP
OSCE
OREP
OPIC
OFDP
OMIG
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OIC
OECD
OIE
OPDC
ON
OCII
OPAD
OBSP
OFFICIALS
OPCW
OHUM
OES
OCS
OTR
OSAC
OFDA
PGOV
PREL
PM
PHUM
PTER
PINR
PINS
PREF
PARM
PL
PK
PU
PBTS
PBIO
PHSA
PE
PO
PROP
PA
PNAT
POL
PLN
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PAK
PGGV
PAO
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PAS
PGIV
PHUMPREL
PCI
PG
POGOV
PHUMPGOV
PEL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PP
PREO
PAHO
PBT
PMIL
POV
PRL
PDOV
PTBS
PRAM
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PINF
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PGOC
PY
PHUH
PF
PHUS
RU
RS
RO
RW
RP
RFE
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
ROOD
RCMP
RM
RSO
ROBERT
RICE
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SL
SW
SMIG
SP
SY
SA
SHUM
SZ
SYRIA
SF
SR
SO
SARS
SN
SC
SIPRS
SI
SYR
SEVN
SG
SPCE
SK
STEINBERG
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SEN
SANC
SWE
SHI
TW
TU
TBIO
TSPL
TPHY
TRGY
TC
TT
TSPA
TINT
TERRORISM
TX
TR
TS
TN
TD
TH
TIP
TNGD
TI
TZ
THPY
TP
TBID
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
UN
UK
UNSC
UNGA
US
UNESCO
UP
UNHRC
UNAUS
USTR
UNDP
UNEP
UY
UNCHR
UG
UZ
UNPUOS
USEU
UNMIK
UNDC
UNICEF
UV
UNHCR
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
USUN
USNC
UNIDROIT
UNO
UNCND
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08SANJOSE800, COSTA RICA: MEDRETE TREATS NEARLY 1000 PATIENTS IN
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. #08SANJOSE800.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08SANJOSE800 | 2008-10-07 17:21 | 2011-03-21 16:30 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy San Jose |
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSJ #0800/01 2811721
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 071721Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0160
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUMIAGH/COMJTF-B SIMS SOTO CANO HO
UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000800
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC AND PM; SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MASS SOCI CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA: MEDRETE TREATS NEARLY 1000 PATIENTS IN
PUNTA BURICA REGION
REF: SAN JOSE 0003
¶1. (U) SUMMARY: On 25-27 September 2008, Honduran-based Joint
Task Force-Bravo (JTF-B) and Costa Rican medical personnel
conducted a Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) in
Costa Rica's remote Punta Burica region on the south eastern
border with Panama. The Embassy coordinated the event and
contributed six translators to help non-Spanish speaking U.S.
doctors communicate with their patients. This event follows
a MEDRETE conducted late last year in the Talamanca region of
Costa Rica (reftel) and was the first-ever conducted near the
border with Panama. Nearly 1000 people, both Costa Ricans
and Panamanians, received much-needed medical treatment.
Four patients were medevac'd by U.S. Army Blackhawk
helicopters to a nearby hospital. Three members of the
national legislature, one a medical doctor and one a dentist,
also participated. Food donated by Embassy personnel was
airlifted to the sites. Visiting the treatment centers, the
Ambassador was interviewed by national print and television
media, which focused on the positive contributions of the
U.S. to this joint humanitarian mission. Local leaders and
patients expressed their appreciation for the help and told
us that it "was like a dream come true." END SUMMARY.
=========================================
FIRST MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO AREA IN YEARS
=========================================
¶2. (U) This MEDRETE to the Punta Burica region was the first
medical assistance from any source that its inhabitants had
seen in more than two years. Access to the zone is extremely
difficult due to rough terrain and the lack of roads. The
closest Costa Rica city is Golfito, on the Golfo Dulce near
the Osa Peninsula. Without evacuation assistance, even
"emergency" patients have at least a three-hour trip by
horseback to the nearest medical facilities, which are
actually in Panama. Even in those facilities, assistance is
not guaranteed.
¶3. (U) JTF-B doctors and nurses, with some Costa Rican
counterparts, treated patients, with Embassy staff
translating for the JTF-B staff, allowing them to understand
and treat long-running conditions. For example, one 16-year
old patient who had been suffering from chest pains and
fainting spells for some time received a diagnosis of an
irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia). Most common
ailments found by the JTF-B team were parasites, skin
infections (as a result of living in a humid climate),
diarrhea, and respiratory infections.
¶4. (U) The last time a dentist had visited the Punta Burica
area was five years ago, according to locals receiving oral
exams. Patients of all ages received dental exams, with
cavities being the major problem found. JTF-B and Costa
Rican dentists also performed tooth extractions and fillings.
=================
A DREAM COME TRUE
=================
¶5. (U) The local population in Punta Burica welcomed the
assistance with open arms and open hearts. Many patients and
local elders told us they "thought the day would never come"
when they would see the U.S. help arrive. One of the leaders
said that it truly was a "dream come true."
¶6. (U) The sight of U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopters also drew
large crowds everywhere they flew and landed. Each time the
UH-60s shut down at the village sites and staging zones, the
crews happily conducted tours for locals. Colorfully-clad
indigenous women and children seemed most fascinated with the
helicopters and couldn't thank us enough for our assistance.
============================================= ==
MEDRETE HIGHLIGHTS U.S.-COSTA RICAN COOPERATION
============================================= ==
¶7. (U) The MEDRETE, which took place in two separate sites in
the Punta Burica region (Alta Carona and La Pena) included
the participation of 36 JTF-B medical and support personnel
and nearly 40 Costa Rican medical personnel. Coordinated by
Post's Office of Defense Representative (ODR), MEDRETE
medical professionals evaluated and treated 942 people from
both Costa Rica and Panama in this isolated and depressed
region. Many patients were from the indigenous communities.
Four patients were airlifted for further treatment to a
nearby hospital. Three of the evacuated patients needed
pre-natal care and one patient needed treatment for a severe
skin condition.
¶8. (U) We coordinated with many GOCR agencies to make this
MEDRETE happen, but most importantly with the GOCR's Caja
Social (similar to the U.S. Social Security Administration,
but they also administer all of the public hospitals in Costa
Rica). The Golfito-area Caja Social physicians welcomed the
MEDRETE, helped with the planning and supported it with many
medical personnel. The Caja Social even advertised the event
in local media, something Embassy Locally-Employed Staff
could not remember ever happening before. A wide range of
other GOCR agencies helped make this event happen, including
the Ministries of the Presidency, Public Security, Health,
Civil Aviation, and Immigration.
========================================
LEGISLATORS TREAT PATIENTS; VIPS OBSERVE
========================================
¶9. (U) Similar to the unusual example of bipartisan
cooperation we observed last December, two of the three
legislators that visited the MEDRETE sites, Federico Tinoco,
PLN (a dentist) and Orlando Hernandez, opposition PAC (a
medical doctor), also participated, with both of them rolling
up their sleeves and treating several patients. Olivier
Jimenez, the Golfito-based PLN legislator who represents the
region, accompanied Tinoco and Hernandez for a brief visit to
the site on September 26.
¶10. (U) Several senior members of the GOCR also visited the
MEDRETE sites during a "VIP visit" on September 26, including
the Minister of Public Security (MPS) Janina Del Vecchio, MPS
Vice-Ministers Jose Torres and Ana Duran, and the National
Chief of Police Erick Lacayo. The Ambassador, along with the
DCM and POLOFFs, accompanied the GOCR delegation.
¶11. (U) In addition to the support for the MEDRETE, JTF-B
helicopters ferried several hundred pounds of food donated by
the U.S. Embassy community. The food included basic staples
such as rice, beans and salt. The cooperation between
various USG and GOCR entities, as well as with some private
enterprises that provided the use of an airstrip that
facilitated the VIP visit on September 26, was excellent.
=========================================
EMBASSY ENGINEERS POSITIVE MEDIA COVERAGE
=========================================
¶12. (U) Thanks to closely coordinated efforts of the Embassy
Public Affairs Section (who facilitated the transportation of
journalists to one of the MEDRETE sites as well as coverage),
prominent media organizations reported this event. Four
national television channels and one local channel (6, 7, 11,
and 42; and 14) devoted prime-time stories to the MEDRETE.
Their stories focused on the medical needs of the community
as well as provided the Costa Rican national audience a
positive view of U.S. military humanitarian assistance.
Additionally, the most widely read daily, Diario Extra, and
the most respected daily, La Nacion, ran comprehensive
features. One other national daily, La Prensa Libre, and a
regional daily, Estrella del Sur, also had positive coverage.
(Details and the actual press coverage of the MEDRETE have
been sent to WHA/CEN and SOUTHCOM.) Spanish-language
interviews of Ambassador Cianchette, ODR Chief Commander
Camacho, and several of the JTF-B medical professionals
figured prominently in the television coverage.
=======
COMMENT
=======
¶13. (SBU) The importance of this second MEDRETE in less than
a year in Costa Rica cannot be overemphasized, both in terms
of real medical benefits to an isolated local population as
well as to the positive image of the United States. While
bureaucratic hurdles to conduct MEDRETEs remain burdensome,
the Costa Rican national leadership is firmly behind this
type of humanitarian assistance from DoD. Facing a last
minute curve-ball from the Colegio de Medicos (the AMA
equivalent), which set impossible-to-meet standards to
"certify" the JTF-B physicians to treat patients in Costa
Rica, President Arias himself intervened, approving the
MEDRETE based on humanitarian needs.
¶14. (SBU) The Caja Social's leadership was most instrumental
in making this event happen. Far from being "forced" on
Costa Rica, this MEDRETE was to a great extent, a Costa Rican
show, conducted at their request and supported outstandingly
by JTF-B. In fact, opposition PAC legislator (and doctor)
Hernandez hoped we might be able to conduct a MEDRETE in his
province (Cartago) in the Turrialba area, another very poor
area with limited lines of communication. U.S. MEDRETEs are
clearly "treating" attitudes as well as patients in Costa
Rica!
¶15. (SBU) This MEDRETE built upon the foundation laid by last
December's successful event (reftel) and resulted in even
more goodwill towards the United States and the Embassy in
Costa Rica. While Costa Rica is relatively more developed
than the rest of Central America, it still has areas of
extreme need, and we can help to meet those needs. The
assistance provided was deeply appreciated by the patients
and the GOCR. The overall results are fully in keeping with
USG and SOUTHCOM "soft power" goals for Costa Rica and the
region. We hope to continue the success of this military
humanitarian assistance in Costa Rica in 2009.
¶16. (U) Post sends a special thank you to the great men and
women of JTF-B who made it all happen. We appreciate their
outstanding support and medical professionalism, which will
benefit both patients and USG goals in the region. Kudos for
a job very well done!
CIANCHETTE