THE COSTA RICA QUESTIONS JUST KEEP COMING

Boy, it sure sounds like everybody's talking around the issue:

"The U.S.-Costa Rica Maritime Cooperation Agreement, the first of its kind in Central America, entered into force in late 1999. The agreement, which facilitates cooperation between the Coast Guard of Costa Rica and the U.S. Coast Guard, has resulted in a growing number of narcotics seizures, illegal migrant rescues, illegal fishing seizures, and search-and-rescue missions. Bilateral Costa Rican law enforcement cooperation, particularly against narcotrafficking, has been exemplary."
U.S. State Dept.

"The President of the Republic, Laura Chinchilla, said yesterday that the government does not intend to militarize the fight against drugs, although for the patrol is authorized entry of 46 warships of the United States.

The president said in his Facebook profile that both the security minister, José María Tijerino, as the Government's anti-drug commissioner, Mauritius Boraschi, explain why the United States asked the country's permission for entry to Costa Rican waters of 46 ships, 200 helicopters , 7,000 men and ten fighters Harriet, from 1. July to 31 December this year.

Tijerino and Boraschi visited yesterday Nation and argued that no interest in militarize conducting joint patrols Costa Rica and the United States since 1999.

What happens, Tijerino said, is that military aircraft are under the command of the Coastguard and the United States, and respond to these authorities, "not the Army."

Thus, the ships are not allowed to enter under the command of the Navy, but Fugen as "support teams" to the U.S. Coast Guard, which in turn support the actions of the authorities of our country.

As for the 7,000 men permission to enter the country with their uniforms on, both as Tijerino Boraschi emphasized that not arrive all together, nor perform work they are entitled to the Costa Rican police.

These men are the total crew of 46 ships and these include craft technicians, pilots of helicopters and warplanes that can move the carrier with permits to enter the waters of national jurisdiction."
Translation from Nacion

So this is what I can figure out from the articles above:

In 1999, a treaty was signed between Costa Rica and the United States allowing cooperation between the Coast Guards of both countries in the war on drugs. It appears that all military operations involving American forces must be under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard when on or in Costa Rican territory.

Now, for some undisclosed reason, temporary permission has been given to the United States to allow 46 naval ships and 7000 Marines (or other personnel) into Costa Rica for 6 months. However, the President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, says his government does not intend to militarize the war on drugs. Then why would Costa Rica want an invasion force sitting in its harbor?

Also, I'm curious. Since the U.S.-Costa Rica Maritime Cooperation Agreement states that all U.S. military will be under the command of the Coast Guard, President Chinchilla says that these warships and Marines will be under that command. Does this sound like the normal way the Navy does business? They've essentially handed command of double the normal fleet in that part of the world to another branch of the military. Not to mention the Marine Corp relinquishing its command of its Marines. Something just doesn't seem right about this.

The statement from President Chinchilla almost makes it sound as though Costa Rica is giving the fleet permission to dock for repairs and shore leave. Maybe this is the reason but then why would it only be allowed for six months? And why would we need a facility for repairs this close to home?

What are we planning to do?