135. Telegram 237081 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Costa Rica1

237081. Subject: USG Intentions Regarding Vesco Extradition. Refs: A) San Jose 3909, B) San Jose 4096.

1. Recent publicity (ref B) should, as Embassy points out, has had effect of assuring those interested in Vesco matter that the USG has not lost interest. Things are, in fact, moving ahead. The grand jury is still meeting, although their deliberations are kept secret; Assistant Secretary Rogers recently reminded Foreign Minister Facio of USG interest in extradition matters. Within its appropriate scope of operations Department continues to cooperate fully with SEC and Justice.

2. A further extradition attempt will depend in part on an indictment (if obtained) from the current grand jury. It will also depend on the status of the “Vesco” extradition law.

3. The Embassy will have to use its own discretion, as it has laudably done to date, in handling the above. It should be kept in mind, however, that to some extent inquirers are asking the USG to solve their own internal political problem. This, of course, cannot be done.

Kissinger
  1. Summary: The Department instructed the Embassy to continue using its discretion in reassuring Costa Ricans of U.S. concern about the Vesco case, noting that the recent publicity on the issue had helped to demonstrate that the United States had not lost interest.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750345–0453. Confidential; Limdis. Drafted by George Gowen in ARA/CEN/CR, cleared by Feldman, and approved by Lazar. In telegram 3909 from San José, September 11, the Embassy noted the belief of many prominent Costa Ricans that the United States had lost interest in the Vesco case. (Ibid., D750317–0420) In telegrams 4075 and 4096 from San José, September 25 and 26, the Embassy reported on renewed attention to the Vesco issue in the Costa Rican press. (Ibid., D750333–0604, D750337–0187)