IRELAND WILL DISCUSS PROTECTION FORCE WITH EU

S E C R E T DUBLIN 001222

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/RSAT AND PM/PMAT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2014
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM MOPS MARR UN
SUBJECT: IRELAND WILL DISCUSS PROTECTION FORCE WITH EU
PARTNERS AND CONTINUES TO CONDEMN HOSTAGE TAKING

REF: A) STATE 166158 B) STATE 166182

Classified By: PEO Chief Mary Daly per 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S)In regards to the UN protection force, Emboff
delivered reftel talking points A on August 5 to Brendan
Ward, Deputy Director of the Middle East Section at DFA.
Ward responded that he had been in touch with counterparts in
other European capitals, and agreement was reached to discuss
this issue at the CFSP Working Group (WG) in September. Ward
also stated that the GOI has yet to formulate its own
bilateral response because the appropriate officials in the
Department of Finance and Foreign Affairs are presently
unavailable due to the August holiday season. Post will
follow-up when the appropriate officials are available and
will respond in septel.


2. (U)In regards to the condemnation of hostage taking
(reftel B),Ward responded that the GOI deplores the recent
upsurge in violence in Iraq. He also noted that Irish
Foreign Minister Brian Cowen issued a statement on July 28th
condemning the recent bombings in Baquba and, during the
Irish EU Presidency, demanded that all kidnappings in Iraq
stop. The GOI will continue to condemn any future attacks
and kidnappings.
KENNY