IRELAND UNDECIDED, BUT LIKELY TO ATTEND ASEM

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 001248 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SUBJECT: IRELAND UNDECIDED, BUT LIKELY TO ATTEND ASEM REF: A. STATE 179237 ¶B. DUBLIN 1104 ¶C. DUBLIN 1020 Classified By: PEO JOE YOUNG PER REASONS 1.4 (b & d) ¶1. (U) Summary. On August 23, Emboff, drawing on reftel points A, spoke to Ms. Cliona Manahan, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Director for Asia and the Pacific. Ireland has yet to decide on participation in the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit October 8-9 in Hanoi, but will likely send a delegation, despite its serious reservations regarding Burma. End Summary. -------------- Ireland to follow EU lead -------------- ¶2. (C) While Ireland,s views on Burma's participation in the upcoming ASEM meeting parallel that of the USG, Manahan stated that Ireland would likely send a delegation. The ultimate decision on whether to send a representative to Hanoi in October (and on the level of representation) will come after the Gymnich meeting (private meeting among EU member states) on September 3-4. Her opinion is that all EU members will send a delegation and that the GOI will follow suit. ¶3. (C) According to Manahan, there is not an EU consensus on the Burmese issue. Some EU countries favor engagement with Burma while others favor a more hard-line stance. Manahan also stated that while public opinion and the press may push for Ireland (and the EU) not to attend ASEM, it would be "explosive" if the EU decided not to attend. ¶4. (C) Manahan asked for additional input from the USG on this situation. She also expressed concerns about Japan giving aid to Burma without obligations for political reform, and she asked for the USG to raise the issue with the GOJ. KENNY