Costa Rica
138. Telegram 100 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State
Summary: President Oduber informed Ambassador Todman that he no longer planned to propose repealing the 1974 extradition law.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760008–0595. Confidential; Limdis; Priority. Telegram 273138 to San José is dated November 18, 1975. (Ibid., D750402–0105)
139. Telegram 648 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reviewed key issues in U.S.-Costa Rican relations and other topics of mutual interest that were expected to arise during Kissinger’s late-February visit to the country.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760049–0286. Confidential; Immediate. All brackets are in the original except “[AFL–CIO?]”, added for clarity. A memorandum of conversation records Kissinger’s February 23 discussions with Oduber, which focused primarily on regional and trade issues. (Ibid., P820117–0768) In telegram 1368 from San José, March 17, the Embassy reported on the consequences of Kissinger’s talks with Costa Rican officials, noting that local reaction to the Secretary’s stop in the country was generally favorable and would be helpful in maintaining healthy bilateral ties. (Ibid., D760101–0042)
140. Telegram 1112 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State
Summary: Oduber and Todman discussed the Vesco case and the possibility of negotiating a new bilateral extradition treaty.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760083–0445. Confidential. In telegram 1013 from San José, February 27, the Embassy reported on a February 26 conversation in which Facio stated that he saw no reason why the United States should not proceed with a request for Vesco’s extradition. (Ibid., D760075–1095) In telegram 4914 from San José, November 20, 1975, the Embassy reported on Costa Rican issues regarding the extradition bill and a U.S. treaty draft. (Ibid., D750404–1149)
141. Telegram 1643 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reviewed the local political context of the Vesco case and recommended a two-track effort involving a new extradition request and an effort to negotiate a new extradition treaty.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760125–0554. Confidential; Priority; Stadis; Exdis. In telegram 58366, March 10, the Department reviewed the most recent indictment against Vesco and outlined options for future action on the case. (Ibid., D760091–0418) In telegram 60707 to San José, March 12, the Department requested the Embassy’s views on the political issues affecting extradition and its recommendations on how best to proceed. (Ibid., D760094–0637) The Solorzano memorandum dated March 23, 1973, was not found. In telegram 1495 from San José, April 15, 1975, the Embassy reported the Costa Rican position regarding the extradition law. (Ibid., D750131–1008) The Umana study dated September 1975 is summarized in telegram 4702 from San José, November 5. (Ibid., D750386–0263) The April 5 Foreign Office note was not found. Airgram 18 from San José is dated March 23. (Ibid., P760043–2083)
142. Telegram 2258 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported the arrest by Costa Rican authorities of James Wilkins, who claimed to have been hired to gather information on Vesco by the U.S. Attorney in charge of the case against him.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D76015–0911. Secret; Niact; Immediate; Exdis; Stadis. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. In telegram 2301 from San José, May 8, the Embassy reported that it had secretly gained access to portions of Wilkins’s alleged statement, which apparently indicated that Wilkins had come to Costa Rica to kidnap or murder Vesco. (Ibid., D760179–0217) In telegram 2320 from San José, May 10, the Embassy reported that during a meeting with the Costa Rican Minister of Public Security, a consul expressed concern the Embassy had not been informed of Wilkins’s arrest. (Ibid., D760180–0438) In telegram 2342 from San José, May 11, the Embassy reported that Wilkins stated to a consul that he had traveled to Costa Rica at the behest of U.S. prosecutors to gather information on Vesco, but that his statement to the Costa Rican authorities was false and had been signed under threat of death or a long prison term. (Ibid., D760182–0243)
143. Telegram 110970 From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations
Summary: The Department informed the Embassy in Costa Rica that U.S. Attorney Elliot Sagor had funded James Wilkins’s travel and had accepted Wilkins’s offer of any information that he might gather on Vesco’s whereabouts and activities.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760182–0116. Secret; Immediate; Limdis; Stadis. This telegram repeated a telegram of the same number, not found, sent by the Department to San José on May 7. Telegram 2258 from San José is dated May 6. (Ibid., D760175–0911) Telegram 110869 to New York is dated May 11. (Ibid., D760182–0074) In telegram 2483 from San José, May 18, the Embassy reported that Oduber had promised an immediate resolution to Wilkins’s case, and that the Minister of Public Security had informed the Embassy that Wilkins would be sent back to the United States on May 19. (Ibid., D760192–1134) In telegram 2499 from San José, May 19, Todman recommended that Wilkins be asked to make a sworn statement on the circumstances of his detention and interrogation in Costa Rica in order to document the apparent violation of his rights and to deter possible “ill-considered use of Wilkins’s forced confession” by either the Costa Rican Government or Vesco. (Ibid., D760194–0276)
144. Airgram A–38 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported on Vesco’s alleged control over some Costa Rican media outlets, noting that “rantings about terrorism and political assassination” in one reputedly Vesco-linked newspaper might have been intended to create a propitious environment for a Figueres-led coup.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P760072–0149. Confidential. Repeated to Guatemala City, Managua, Panama City, San Salvador, and Tegucigalpa. Drafted by Political Officer John Maisto on May 10 and approved by Lane. In telegram 2417 from San José, May 14, the Embassy commented on the unsettled state of Costa Rican politics, noting the renewed circulation of rumors that Figueres might attempt a coup. (Ibid., D760187–1035)
145. Memorandum of Conversation
Summary: Kissinger and Facio discussed Costa Rica’s desire for an adjustment to the quota imposed on its meat exports to the United States.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P820117–2496. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Bova on May 28 and approved by Haley Collums in S on July 1. All brackets are in the original except those indicating text omitted by the editors. The meeting was held in the Secretary’s office. In telegram 106745 to San José, May 2, Rogers transmitted a letter to Facio regretting the Department’s inability to persuade Australia and New Zealand to accept the reallocation of unused Latin American meat quotas, which would have benefitted Costa Rica. (Ibid., D760168–0867) In telegram 2183 from San José, May 4, the Embassy reported Facio’s announcement that Costa Rica would not sign the “unjust” voluntary restraint agreement and would seek better terms. (Ibid., D760172–0913) In telegram 126396/Tosec 130179, May 22, the Department reminded Kissinger of Costa Rica’s desire for adjustments to the voluntary restraint program and suggested that he should convince the Costa Ricans that he considered it a serious problem. (Ibid., D760199–0528) In telegram 2582 from San José, May 24, the Embassy observed that Facio and Oduber believed that Kissinger had made a commitment during his February visit to Costa Rica to try to arrange a higher meat quota for their country. (Ibid., D760201–0718)
146. Telegram 3532 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State
Summary: Todman repeated to Facio a U.S. request for approval of a voluntary restraint agreement setting limits on Costa Rican exports of meat to the United States.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760279–0208. Limited Official Use; Priority. In telegram 175529 to San José, July 15, the Department reported that Costa Rica was the only voluntary restraint agreement participant that had not signed an agreement for 1976 and asked the Embassy to stress the need for prompt action to avoid the imposition of more extensive restrictions. (Ibid., D760273–0866) In telegram 3826 from San José, August 6, the Embassy reported that the Costa Rican Government had decided to approve the voluntary restraint agreement but that Facio would approach Kissinger to express the hope that a way might be found to arrange a higher meat export level for Costa Rica. (Ibid., D760303–1288)
147. Telegram 4487 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Embassy in Honduras
Summary: In a telegram to Assistant Secretary Shlaudeman, the Embassy suggested a strategy for handling the issue of meat quotas during upcoming meetings with Costa Rican officials.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760350–0225. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Repeated to the Department of State. Shlaudeman, then in Honduras, was scheduled to arrive in Costa Rica for a September 19–20 visit. In telegram 4281 from San José, September 1, the Embassy reported that U.S. officials had informed their Costa Rican counterparts that the United States was in the process of issuing regulations to prevent further imports of Costa Rican meat upon the fulfillment of the country’s 1976 quota. (Ibid., D760332–0765) In telegram 4340 from San José, September 3, Todman commented on the September 1 consultations, noting that the “civilized demeanor of the Costa Rican participants” masked deep local unhappiness with U.S. handling of the meat issue. (Ibid., D760336–0471)
148. Telegram 4663 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported that the Costa Rican legislature was considering proposals to amend or repeal the 1974 extradition law that served to protect Robert Vesco.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760364–0579. Confidential. In telegram 5195 from San José, October 29, the Embassy reported that a new extradition law to replace the 1974 legislation had passed on its first reading and was expected to receive definitive legislative approval during the week of November 1. (Ibid., D760404–0757) In telegram 5362 from San José, November 9, the Embassy commented on the newly passed extradition law, concluding that the “major legislative stumbling blocks to a successful Vesco legislation have been eliminated.” (Ibid., D760418–0230) According to telegram 5399 from San José, November 11, Oduber signed the new extradition law on November 9. (Ibid., D760420–1136)
149. Telegram 5838 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State
Summary: The Embassy reported the bitter reaction of Costa Rican officials to U.S. meat importation quotas for 1977.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760459–0089. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Repeated to Santo Domingo, San Salvador, Guatemala City, Panama City, Port-au-Prince, Tegucigalpa, and Managua. In telegram 5862 from San José, December 14, the Embassy reported that Oduber was disappointed with the quota assigned to Costa Rica but felt that he had no choice but to sign the proposed voluntary restraint agreement. (Ibid., D760460–0524)