![Keep Us Strong](/static/gfx/ja-cg.jpg)
![WikiLeaks logo](/static/gfx/WL_Hour_Glass_small.png)
Currently released so far... 5420 / 251,287
Articles
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
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
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 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 Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
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 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 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
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
AF
AE
AJ
ASEC
AMGT
AR
AU
AG
AS
AM
AORC
AFIN
APER
ABUD
ATRN
AL
AEMR
ACOA
AO
AX
AMED
ADCO
AODE
AFFAIRS
AC
ASIG
ABLD
AA
AFU
ASUP
AROC
ATFN
AVERY
APCS
AER
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AEC
APECO
AGMT
CH
CASC
CA
CD
CV
CVIS
CMGT
CO
CI
CU
CBW
CLINTON
CE
CJAN
CIA
CG
CF
CN
CS
CAN
COUNTER
CDG
CIS
CM
CONDOLEEZZA
COE
CR
CY
CTM
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CPAS
CWC
CT
CKGR
CB
CACS
COM
CJUS
CARSON
CL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CACM
CDB
EPET
EINV
ECON
ENRG
EAID
ETRD
EG
ETTC
EFIN
EU
EAGR
ELAB
EIND
EUN
EAIR
ER
ECIN
ECPS
EFIS
EI
EINT
EZ
EMIN
ET
EC
ECONEFIN
ENVR
ES
ECA
ELN
EN
EFTA
EWWT
ELTN
EXTERNAL
EINVETC
ENIV
EINN
ENGR
EUR
ESA
ENERG
EK
ENGY
ETRO
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ENVI
ELECTIONS
ECUN
EINVEFIN
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
IR
IZ
IS
IT
INTERPOL
IPR
IN
INRB
IAEA
IRAJ
INRA
INRO
IO
IC
ID
IIP
ITPHUM
IV
IWC
IQ
ICTY
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ICRC
ICAO
IMO
IF
ILC
IEFIN
INTELSAT
IL
IA
IBRD
IMF
INR
IRC
ITALY
ITALIAN
KCOR
KZ
KDEM
KN
KNNP
KPAL
KU
KWBG
KCRM
KE
KISL
KAWK
KSCA
KS
KSPR
KJUS
KFRD
KTIP
KPAO
KTFN
KIPR
KPKO
KNUC
KMDR
KGHG
KPLS
KOLY
KUNR
KDRG
KIRF
KIRC
KBIO
KHLS
KG
KACT
KGIC
KRAD
KCOM
KMCA
KV
KHDP
KVPR
KDEV
KWMN
KMPI
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMC
KTLA
KCFC
KTIA
KHIV
KPRP
KAWC
KCIP
KCFE
KOCI
KTDB
KMRS
KLIG
KBCT
KICC
KGIT
KSTC
KPAK
KNEI
KSEP
KPOA
KFLU
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KO
KTER
KSUM
KHUM
KRFD
KBTR
KDDG
KWWMN
KFLO
KSAF
KBTS
KPRV
KNPP
KNAR
KWMM
KERG
KFIN
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KTBT
KCRS
KRVC
KSTH
KREL
KNSD
KTEX
KPAI
KHSA
KR
KPWR
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KGCC
KPIN
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MTCRE
MX
MCAP
MO
MNUC
ML
MR
MZ
MPOS
MOPPS
MTCR
MAPP
MU
MY
MA
MG
MASC
MCC
MEPP
MK
MTRE
MP
MIL
MDC
MAR
MEPI
MRCRE
MI
MT
MQADHAFI
MD
MAPS
MUCN
MASSMNUC
MERCOSUR
MC
ODIP
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OEXC
OPRC
OFDP
OPDC
OTRA
OSCE
OAS
OPIC
OECD
OPCW
OSCI
OIE
OIC
OTR
OVP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
PGOV
PINR
PREL
PTER
PK
PHUM
PE
PARM
PBIO
PINS
PREF
PSOE
PBTS
PL
PHSA
PKFK
PO
PGOF
PROP
PA
PARMS
PORG
PM
PMIL
PTERE
POL
PF
PALESTINIAN
PY
PGGV
PNR
POV
PAK
PAO
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRGOV
PNAT
PROV
PEL
PINF
PGOVE
POLINT
PRL
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PHUS
PHUMPREL
PG
POLITICS
PEPR
PSI
PINT
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PECON
POGOV
PINL
SCUL
SA
SY
SP
SNAR
SENV
SU
SW
SOCI
SL
SG
SMIG
SO
SF
SR
SN
SHUM
SZ
SYR
ST
SANC
SC
SAN
SIPRS
SK
SH
SI
SNARCS
STEINBERG
TX
TW
TU
TSPA
TH
TIP
TI
TS
TBIO
TRGY
TC
TR
TT
TERRORISM
TO
TFIN
TD
TSPL
TZ
TPHY
TK
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TP
UK
UG
UP
UV
US
UN
UNSC
UNGA
USEU
USUN
UY
UZ
UNO
UNMIK
UNESCO
UE
UAE
UNEP
USTR
UNHCR
UNDP
UNHRC
USAID
UNCHS
UNAUS
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06SANJOSE2702, PRESIDENT ARIAS ON HIS VISIT TO WASHINGTON
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. #06SANJOSE2702.
VZCZCXYZ0008
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSJ #2702/01 3352141
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 012141Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6765
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN JOSE 002702
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
WHA/CEN FOR J:MACK; NSC FOR D:FEARS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR ETRD ECON CS US
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT ARIAS ON HIS VISIT TO WASHINGTON
REF: SAN JOSE 2685
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARK LANGDALE PER 1.5(D)
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On November 29, the Ambassador met with
President Arias to discuss the latter,s upcoming visit to
Washington. The Ambassador noted Arias,s position as a
leader with regional stature, and suggested President Bush
would be interested in Arias,s views on developments in
Nicaragua and Cuba, as well as his domestic agenda, topped by
CAFTA-DR and fiscal reform. On Nicaragua, Arias opined that
Ortega &would have no choice8 but to be different than he
was 20 years ago. On Cuba, Arias said he was willing to
discuss a peaceful transition, but hoped this issue would not
be the major topic in Washington. Arias noted the irony of
Ortega making more positive statements on CAFTA-DR than some
opposition figures in Costa Rica, giving Arias more
ammunition to use against them at home. Arias stressed that
he wanted to talk more &about Costa Rica8 this visit,
giving the Ambassador an opening to stress the need for
CAFTA-DR implementation, tax reform, judicial modernization
and improved protection for investors, which would generate
long-term benefits dwarfing the short term gains from
international development assistance. Arias is likely to
discuss assistance proposals, anyway, including the so-called
Costa Rica Consensus and a debt-for-education swap idea. Our
response should be to continue lowering his expectations.
Costa Rica is best placed to help itself. END COMMENT.
¶2. (U) On November 29, the Ambassador, accompanied by
PolEcon Officer David Henifin, met with President Arias to
discuss the latter,s December 3-6 visit to Washington.
Arias was alone, mentioning that FM Bruno Stagno was in
Europe.
-----------------------------
CUBA, NICARAGUA AND CAFTA-DR
-----------------------------
¶3. (C) Arias asked what would likely be on the President,s
agenda. The Ambassador reminded him that the White House had
originally planned the meeting for after Costa Rica passed
CAFTA-DR, but the President had accelerated the timetable.
Given Arias,s position as a leader with regional stature,
the President would be interested in his views on
developments in Nicaragua and Cuba, as well as Arias,s
domestic agenda, topped by CAFTA-DR and fiscal reform.
¶4. (C) On Nicaragua, Arias opined that Ortega &would have
no choice8 but to be different than he was 20 years ago,
given the changes in Nicaragua. Ortega &must (govern)
responsibly,8 he added, although visiting Cuba so soon after
the election was a &mistake8 on Ortega,s part. On Cuba,
Arias said he was willing to discuss a peaceful transition,
but he hoped the issue would not be the major topic of his
conversation with the President. On CAFTA-DR, Arias noted
the irony of Ortega making more positive statements of late
than some opposition political figures in Costa Rica. Arias
asked the Ambassador to forward pro-CAFTA statements by
Ortega or prospective members of his government. The more
positive comments from Nicaragua, the more pressure Arias
said he could apply in Costa Rica. He dismissed hardline
anti-CAFTA critics Alberto Salom, deputy leader of the PAC
party,s faction in the legislature, and Jose Merino, sole
representative of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) party, as
&Allende socialists8 out of step with the times.
---------------------------------
DOMESTIC AGENDA: NEEDED REFORMS
---------------------------------
¶5. (C) Recalling that when he visited Washington 20 years
ago, senior USG officials &only wanted to discuss
Nicaragua,8 Arias stressed that this time, &I want to talk
about Costa Rica.8 Taking the opening, the Ambassador
outlined the new USG framework for foreign assistance, which
placed Costa Rica in the highest tier as a &sustaining
partner.8 The Ambassador highlighted how Costa Rica is
doing, compared to OECD standards, in terms of governing
justly and democratically and investing in people. Costa
Rica is considerably below OECD standards in terms of
economic growth and the business environment. For example,
the Ambassador noted that Costa Rica ranked 160th out of 175
on tax collection as measured in the World Bank,s &Doing
Business8 index, highlighting the need for an effective and
workable tax system to help underwrite Arias,s domestic
agenda. With CAFTA-DR implementation, appropriate fiscal
reforms and improved protection for investors, Costa Rica has
the potential to become the Singapore of the region.
¶6. (C) Arias was receptive, especially on the need for tax
reform, but rejoined that Costa Rica,s overall economic
growth was good, and may top seven percent for 2006. In
overall foreign direct investment in the region, Costa Rica
ranked third behind Chile and Mexico. The Ambassador
suggested that the performance of Costa Rica-based
multinationals like Intel and the impact of the lucrative but
narrow real estate market (mostly appealing to high-end
foreign buyers) skewed these figures. Over the long run,
growth in small to moderate businesses, and job generation
outside the tourism sector, would be the keys to core
economic growth in Costa Rica.
--------------------------------------------- -----
USG ASSISTANCE: EDUCATION AND COSTA RICA CONSENSUS
--------------------------------------------- -----
¶7. (C) Turning to assistance issues, Arias floated two
proposals for discussion in Washington, the first a debt for
education swap, modeled on the debt for land arrangements
that launched many of Costa Rica,s national parks 20 years
ago. The Ambassador cautioned that such a proposal probably
was not realistic, as the new Congress is likely more
interested in boosting education spending at home than
helping education systems abroad. In the long run, opening
and reforming Costa Rica,s economy would give the GOCR far
more resources to spend on education and other social
projects.
¶8. (C) Arias then asked for USG reaction to his Costa Rica
Consensus idea (for more assistance and debt relief for
&responsible8 middle-income countries which spend more on
social programs than on defense). The Ambassador replied
that the concept was interesting, even noble, and possibly
worth a closer examination from a disarmament perspective,
given the remilitarization in the region (i.e., Venezuela).
The idea, however, does not mesh with the USG,s new foreign
assistance framework, which is geared instead towards helping
developing countries to help themselves. Targeted technical
assistance is likely, but extensive bilateral aid, such as
Costa Rica benefitted from in the past, is unlikely. The
Ambassador added that realistic international consideration
of the Consensus idea would take time and certainly not bear
fruit before Arias,s term ends in 2010.
¶9. (C) COMMENT: Arias,s comments suggest an opening for
more focused discussion on his domestic agenda, stressing the
need to make reforms at home without expecting large-scale
bilateral help from abroad. Arias,s views seem to be
changing, but he still views the region and Costa Rica
through the prism of the 1980s, when Costa Rica relied on
extensive USG assistance. A lingering sense of
exceptionalism, which argues that Costa Rica deserves special
treatment (and international assistance) because of its
record as a stable democracy and responsible international
actor, will need to be diplomatically overcome.
LANGDALE