Office of the Historian

149. Telegram 5838 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State1

San José, December 13, 1976, 1725Z.

5838. Subject: 1977 Meat Program: Costa Rican Reactions.

1. Costa Rican delegation has just returned hurt and bitter over outcome of just concluded meat “negotiations.” Members of the delegation expressed special resentment over fact that after Latins had successfully argued for increase of additional 10 million pounds, that amount was then distributed with the major portion going to Australia and New Zealand. They insist that politics obviously enters into distribution as evidenced by doubling of Panama’s allocation. Costa Ricans feel that they were taken advantage of and treated unfairly primarily because U.S. knows that they have no alternative but to sign the program as presented.

2. I suspect that this Costa Rican reaction to what they consider lack of regard for their interests will be turned against us some time when we are seeking their support for an issue important to us but of little significance to them.

Todman

  1. 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)

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