

Currently released so far... 12553 / 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
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
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
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