IRISH RESPONSES TO PRE-GAERC DEMARCHE: IRAQ,

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 001525 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2014 TAGS: PREL EUN SUBJECT: IRISH RESPONSES TO PRE-GAERC DEMARCHE: IRAQ, CHINA, LIBYA, SUDAN REF: A. STATE 214023 ¶B. DUBLIN 1450 ¶C. DUBLIN 1466 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Mary Daly, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) On October 7, Post delivered ref A talking points on Libya, China, Cyprus, Sudan, and Iraq to Gerard Keown, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) European Correspondent. -------------- Libya -------------- ¶2. (C) Keown affirmed that the October 11 GAERC would ratify the September 22 COREPER decision to lift the EU arms embargo against Libya (reiterating the DFA response to our September 29 demarche, ref B). He explained that the EU belives that lifting the embargo is consistent with the USG-supported removal of UN sanctions against Libya in 2003 and would be a first step in an incremental process that could lead to enhanced EU-Libya relations. Each step would require demonstrations of Libyan good faith to move the process forward. Keown mentioned, in particular, the need for the Libyan Government to resolve the situation with the Bulgarian medics. He also explained that Libya's end goal was participation in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, a factor that the EU could use to solicit Libyan compliance with EU-stipulated actions on the road to better relations. -------------- China Arms Embargo -------------- ¶3. (C) Keown said that the October 11 GAERC would not decide on the China arms embargo, but would rather take stock of EU discussions to date on the issue (consistent with DFA views in ref C). He noted that the GAERC would likely focus on suggestions to strengthen and enforce the Code of Conduct, the proposed alternative to the embargo. He added that the likely outcome of the GAERC meeting would be a consensus on the need for additional discussion. -------------- Cyprus -------------- ¶4. (C) The EU's intention was precisely to deal with aid and direct trade measures for the Turkish Cypriots in a way that would continue to show support for the pro-solution forces in the north, said Keown. He also mentioned that there would be euro 240 million immediately available in EU assistance to Cyprus if a solution could be reached. -------------- Darfur, Sudan -------------- ¶5. (C) According to Keown, the EU provides direct technical assistance to the African Union (AU) mission, and there are plans to increase aid to the mission in the near term. Keown underscored the EU's stance on respecting and encouraging the AU's leadership role. The EU was thus awaiting requests from the AU on its assistance needs. Keown expressed EU concern that the Sudanese Government would use the Abjua process on Darfur to slow negotiations toward a North-South solution. The EU also hoped that visits to Sudan in recent days by UN representatives would help to accelerate the Commission of Inquiry's work. -------------- Iraq - Elections and Police Training -------------- ¶6. (C) Keown noted that Iraq was not on the GAERC meeting agenda, adding that election monitoring and police training remain under EU discussion at the technical level. DALY