Costa Rica

Costa Rica has participated once in UN Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia (1989-1990) with electoral supervisors (UNDPI 1996, 711). UNTAG was established to assist the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to ensure the early independence of Namibia through free and fair elections under the supervision and control of the United Nations, and to carry out a number of other duties (UN 2001c, par. 1). Costa Rica has no standing army, and its citizens enjoy one of the highest life expectancy levels in the Western hemisphere and better living standards than their war-torn neighbours (BBC 2006l, par. 2). Costa Rica’s main reason for not sending troops is that it does not have defence forces. Nevertheless, Costa Rica has been actively involved in international affairs.

Initial variables of the data collection process:

UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
Costa Rica has participated in special committees and has spoken out about human rights abuses. For example, Bruno Stagno (2006) issued a statement to the Special Committee on Peace Operations with regards to the position of Costa Rica on the sexual abuses of UN peacekeepers (2006, par. 5):

These events not only breach the Code of Personal Conduct for Blue Helmets, the United Nations Operation in the Congo (MONUC) [Mission de l’organisation des nations unies en République démocratique du Congo] code of conduct and the Secretary-General’s bulletin on special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (ST/SGB/2003/13). These events also constitute crimes that are typified in our national legislations and are also a fragrant violation of the international law of human rights and to the raison d’etre of peacekeeping operations. (Ibid., par. 4)

Perception of peacekeeping
There is no direct data about the perceptions on peacekeeping, other than Costa Rica relies on international peacekeeping mechanisms such as the one provided by the Organization of American States (OAS). The perception is positive, because as described above, Costa Rica considers that the raison d’etre of peacekeeping is the respect for international human rights.

Domestic political environment
Discussions regarding the ratification of the Dominican Republic-Central American Free-Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) will continue to overshadow the political scene (EIU 2006bh, 1). Costa Rica’s political environment supports not having an army and this issue is not even debatable in domestic politics. Somehow, not having an army has become part of Costa Rica’s national identity, and this has created the image of a peaceful country within the Americas. Internally, the two main parties, the ruling Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), its prior incarnations, and the opposition Partido de Liberacion Nacional (PLN), have dominated the political scene since 1948 (EIU 2006k, 9). Since the late 1990s there have been clear signs of public fatigue with both these parties, reflected in the creation of new parties, particularly the Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC), a PLN breakaway party, and record abstention rates in the December 2002 and February 2003 mayoral elections (Ibid.). But the issue of participating with troops is not part of the debate. Instead, an active participation in peace operations with resources other than troops is considered.

Domestic economic environment
Although per capita income slipped in the early 1990s, Costa Ricans still enjoyed the highest per capita income in Central America (Thomson 2006c, par. 1). This creates the fact that Costa Rica does not need UN money to participate.

Military affairs
Since the abolition of the armed forces in 1949, Costa Rica has relied on international peacekeeping mechanisms to fend off external threats (EIU 2006k, 12). Mechanisms provided for within the framework of the OAS have proved effective in defusing several minor conflicts with Nicaragua (Ibid.). There is no minister of defence and the 8,400-strong police force is under the control of the minister for public security and the interior (Ibid.).

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Nevertheless, Costa Rica has other concerns with regards to securing its territory:

The coast guard has received extra resources and training to improve control over Costa Rica’s extensive territorial waters, mostly in the Pacific Ocean, and in particular for anti-drug purposes. Costa Rica was the first country in Central America to sign a bilateral Maritime Counter-Narcotics Agreement with the US, which came into force in late 1999, permitting bilateral co-operation in combating drug trafficking in Costa Rican waters. (Ibid.)

Foreign policy
Costa Rica is a country known for its democratic tradition, its leadership in the defence of human rights, its promotion of peace and sustainable development, and its protection of the environment; and defends all these principles in the forums and negotiations of the United Nations” (Stagno 2006, par. 1). Thus, Costa Rica is not likely to participate with troops in UN peacekeeping operations.

Additional variables found after the preliminary analysis:

Climate changes
No record.

Independent negotiations taken by DPKO to seek troops
No record.

Independent negotiations taken by contributor countries to engage non-contributor countries
The fact that Costa Rica has no troops decreases the probability that DPKO and/or other groups will attempt to negotiate to contribute troops.

Meetings organized by other international organizations to engage in dialogue about peacekeeping
Costa Rica is member of the OAS as well, but Costa Rica also follows the same principles of foreign policy.