Office of the Historian

146. Telegram 3532 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State1

San José, July 20, 1976, 1650Z.

3532. Subject: 1976 Meat Agreement. Ref: State 175529.

1. In accordance with instructions, drawing on paragraphs one and two reftel, on July 19 I again requested Foreign Minister Facio to sign the voluntary restraint agreement on meat.

2. Facio smilingly wondered out loud what did the “voluntary” refer to and promised to consider the matter further, discuss it with President Oduber, and inform me of his decision within the next few days following the ongoing UNESCO conference, of which he is president.

3. Comment: Regarding para four reftel, in view of Facio’s insistence that he discussed the question of the level of Costa Rican meat exports to the U.S. with Secretary of State Kissinger privately in Santiago, I urge that this matter be raised directly and personally with Secretary Kissinger before a final decision is taken, particularly if such decision would involve any action that would be considered as punitive or retaliatory against Costa Rica.

Todman

  1. 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)

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