137. Telegram 4789 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State1

4789. Subject: Vesco-Costa Rica Plans to Abrogate Vesco Law? Ref: San Jose 4757.

1. During meeting with me November 10, President Oduber said he is considering presenting to the Legislative Assembly a draft proposal which would abrogate the present “Vesco” law and provide that in the future extradition would be governed by bilateral treaties in cases where they exist or by traditional Latin American law known as the “Codigo-Bustamante” in cases where there is no treaty. He said he would like to know the reaction of the USG to this approach.

2. I asked the President in what timeframe was he thinking for action and he replied some time early next year, perhaps January or February.

3. I promised to report this to the Department and to inform him of any reply I might receive.

4. Comment: It is interesting that Oduber’s stated position is far less firm than that which was presented to us by Facio and Carro and also the timeframe is farther removed. Oduber continues to give the impression of wanting to get rid of the problem without getting himself too much exposed in the process.

5. Would appreciate any comments Department believes I might appropriately make to Oduber regarding this new proposal. The comments, of course, will be given only orally.

Todman
  1. Summary: The Embassy reported Oduber was considering proposing a bill to repeal the 1974 law that protected Vesco from extradition.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D750392–0996. Confidential; Limdis. Telegram 4757 from San José is dated November 7. (Ibid., D750388–0463) In telegram 273138, November 18, the Department stated that either the restoration of pre-1974 Costa Rican legislation on extradition or a repeal of all such legislation in favor of strict reliance on the U.S.-Costa Rican treaty on extradition would be preferable to the existing situation but that the treaty was out of date and should be renegotiated in any case. (Ibid., D750402–0105)