IRISH RESPONSE TO SYRIA-IRAQ BORDER DEMARCHE

S E C R E T DUBLIN 001156 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2014 TAGS: PREL PTER IE SUBJECT: IRISH RESPONSE TO SYRIA-IRAQ BORDER DEMARCHE REF: STATE 166961 Classified By: Pol/econ chief Mary Daly per 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S)Emboff, drawing on reftel points, on August 3 spoke to Brendan Ward, Deputy Director of the Middle East Section at DFA. Ward stated that the GOI fully supports efforts to help restore stability in Iraq and believes Syria must honor pledges it made July 21 in Cairo. However, Ward also stressed that there was a joint responsibility to keep the border secure and expressed hope that, despite their differences, Syrian and the Iraqi Interim Government were working together. While there is no Irish Embassy in Syria, Ward promised the GOI would urge Syria to cooperate whenever an opportunity was available. KENNY