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