Country Declines to be U.N. Consensus Candidate

Despite President Oscar Arias’ goal of winning Costa Rica a seat on the U.N. Security Council, Foreign Minister Bruno Stagno says the country is not interested in becoming a “consensus candidate” to fill the two-year non-permanent council seat that Venezuela and Guatemala are contesting.

Costa Rica is focused on its candidacy for 2008-2009, Stagno told reporters last week, explaining that “the fact that some consider us a consensus candidate shows how (support) for our candidacy has consolidated, but the opening toward us doesn’t mean we accept.

“We’re not interested in moving up our candidacy by a year,” he added.

According to Stagno, working toward the 2008-2009 term gives Costa Rica time to ensure it will “represent all Latin America and the Caribbean well.”