KFOR: IRELAND UNLIKELY TO REMOVE CAVEAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 001160

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2009
TAGS: MOPS PREL NATO
SUBJECT: KFOR: IRELAND UNLIKELY TO REMOVE CAVEAT

REF: STATE 162868

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Mary Daly per 1.4 (b and d)


1. (C)Emboff delivered reftel points on July 29 to Michael
Gaffey, Director South East Europe division. Gaffey informed
Emboff that the one caveat Ireland placed on its troops
prevents the use of lethal force to prevent attacks on KFOR
property unless there's an immediate threat to life or
serious injury. Gaffey said this caveat was put into place
for legal reasons on advice of the Attorney General, and the
GOI has no plans to remove it. Gaffey also stressed that
though Irish forces cannot move outside of KOSOVO, they are
able to be transferred among the various sectors within
KOSOVO.


2. (C)In regards to methods of crowd control used by Irish
troops, Gaffey said that while troops are currently not
allowed the use of less-than-lethal agents (tear gas, rubber
bullets, etc),they are currently examining this restriction
and, according to Gaffey, it may be lifted in the future.
KENNY