with the congratulations extended to you, Sir, bypreced- ing speakers on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of March, I wish you every success in the discharge of the important functions entrusted to you. 134. As members of the Council are aware, Costa Rica, ever since its birth as an independent Republic, has been committed to peace in both its external and internal rela- tions. Our peace-loving spirit reached its height in 1948, when, in our Constitution, we abolished the army. That act, as we have repeated in various international forums, was in itself an act of confidence in regional and interna- tional peace-keeping machinery. 135. Let there be no misinterpretation of the Costa Rican people’s devotion to peace. Our history also shows how in crucial circumstances, when our security was threatened from outside, our people defended their sov- ereignty. We do believe that our security rests basically upon the strength of our democratic institutions and on our commitment to the principles governing interna- tional law. 136. It was in accordance with those principles that at a meeting convened this morning by the President of Costa Rica, Mr. Luis Albert0 Monge, and attended by the Min- ister for External Relations and distinguished former Ministers of our country dating back to 1948, the Presi- dent reaffirmed that one of the cardinal tenets of the country’s foreign policy is support for the principle of non-intervention and the right of peoples to self- determination. Just as we ourselves respect those princi- ples, we hope that they will also inspire the conduct of other States towards Costa Rica. 137. On that basis, I reiterate before the Council that my Government maintains and will continue to maintain a position of strict compliance with its international com- 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic statement, focusing on Costa Rica's commitment to peace, non-intervention, and self-determination. It does not mention specific economic, industrial, or environmental issues. The tone is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that the text is related to international relations and diplomacy.

**Category**
International relations