Remarks by Ambassador Peter Cianchette
Plane donation to Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security
Tuesday September 9, 2008
Base 2, Juan Santamaria International Airport
Excelentísima señora Janina del Vecchio, Ministra de Seguridad Pública
Honorable señor Oldemar Madrigal, jefe del Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea
Good morning everyone. Thank you very much for being with us today. On behalf of the United States government, I am pleased to announce the donation of the Piper Seneca II plane to the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security. This plane donation is a gesture of appreciation to Costa Rica in recognition of the strong bilateral ties our two countries share.
The Piper Seneca II plane donation represents a continuum of contributions the United States Government has invested in Costa Rica over the last year. Recent contributions include:
-- A donation to the CNE (the National Emergency Committee), made last Friday September 5th, of up to forty thousand dollars to assist victims of the heavy rains and flooding related to the passage of the Tropical Storm Hanna through the region. The funds will provide 20-hours of air support to transport emergency medical personnel and supplies to remote regions.
-- Also last week, capacity building for Costa Rican law enforcement members of the OIJ – the Organism of Judicial Investigation – the Costa Rican Coast Guard, the Fiscal Police Force and Crimes Investigative Unit. The training was organized in Guanacaste by U.S. SOUTHCOM, and focused on joint operations, crimes investigations and drug interdiction efforts.
-- Special training for members of the Costa Rican Coast Guard by the U.S. Coast Guard personnel on how to repair 200 horsepower outboard engines.
-- The donation of twenty-three new flight suits to Costa Rican Air Surveillance Wing pilots.
-- U.S. SOUTHCOM donated four hundred and twenty thousand U.S. dollars worth of fuel and personnel to complement joint Costa Rican efforts for the construction of five hanging bridges in the highland of Alta Talamanca.
The donation of the Piper Seneca II will help local law enforcement stem the flow of illegal narcotics and international drug trafficking. It will also provide humanitarian assistance to people in need of medical attention, particularly those who live in remote areas such as Talamanca and do not have access to medical facilities.
Many of you have heard of the Merida Initiative; a historic, multi-year, multi-country, multi-dimensional security partnership that demonstrates the United States’ commitment to partner with Mexico and Central America to confront criminal organizations whose actions plague us all. Sixty five million dollars will be invested in Central America this year. The Merida Initiative complements on-going U.S. domestic efforts to reduce drug demand, stop the flow of arms and weapons and confront gangs and criminal organizations. It is in our joint national security interest to partner in the fight against organized crime.
I want to give special recognition to the Costa Rican Coast Guard, the Drug Control Police, and the Aerial Surveillance Service for their support and commitment to eradicating drugs in the region. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Costa Rica on national security and humanitarian assistance initiatives that will better serve and protect all of our citizens.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to say that on behalf of the people of the United States, I extend warm congratulations to you, and the people of Costa Rica, as you celebrate your country’s National Day on September 15th. Best wishes on the 187th anniversary of your nation’s independence!
Muchisimas gracias!
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