Costa Rica won a hard-fought seat on the U.N. Security Council yesterday, beating out the Dominican Republic for a coveted two-year position. The Dominican Republic withdrew its candidacy after snagging just 70 votes to Costa Rica's 119 in a second round of voting.
“I'm really happy,” said President Oscar Arias. “We can push for peace with a lot of authority.”
Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno said Costa Rica will use its new post to promote human rights, Security Council reform, nuclear non-proliferation and reductions in military spending. Such an agenda could face resistance within the 15-member Council, Stagno admitted.
“We are going to brush up against some vested interests,” he said. “But that's part of diplomacy.”
Stagno campaigned tirelessly for the seat. He visited some 12 African countries in early September and met with more than 70 foreign ministers in New York in recent weeks, according to Miguel Díaz, press officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This will be Costa Rica's third seat on the Council, following stints in 1974-1975 and 1997-1998. The Security Council is the only U.N. body whose decisions can be binding. |
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