GOI SHOULD SUPPORT US REVCON AIMS, BUT EXPECT A

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000990 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NP/MNA, AC/ISN, VC/FO. GENEVA PLEASE PASS TO AMBASSADOR SANDERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM KNNP NPT SUBJECT: GOI SHOULD SUPPORT US REVCON AIMS, BUT EXPECT A PUSH ON DISARMAMENT REF: SECSTATE 139286 ¶1. Summary. Emboff delivered reftel points to Sarah McGrath, Deputy Director, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Section of the DFA. The GOI agrees that proliferation via a vis Iran and the DPRK is a serious problem and supports USG non-proliferation efforts. However, McGrath reminded emboff that "compliance with the NPT is important and indivisible", and the Irish strongly support a balanced approach to the RevCon that focuses equally on proliferation and disarmament. End Summary The PrepCom -------------- ¶2. The GOI shares the USG,s disappointment with the PrepCom,s results. While the GOI believes there was a good exchange of views on the substantive issues, the Irish would have preferred to see some substantive recommendations for the RevCon. The GOI is happy that many procedural issues were settled. The RevCon agenda is a priority, and should be settled as quickly as possible. Privately, McGrath confided that Sudjadnan was an extremely ineffective chair and that this contributed to the disappointing results. The GOI does expect their Permrep in Geneva to play a role in the RevCon. Non-Compliance Is a Problem -------------- ¶3. The GOI agrees that non-compliance with the NPT is a serious problem. On Iran-- McGrath reminded emboff that the EU has a common position on Iran, and that it is one that the Irish support. McGrath agreed that the issue should be discussed in consultations prior to the RevCon, but noted "it,s hard to know what,s going to happen in a year." She added that the upcoming Iran/IAEA board meetings will clarify issues and give us a better picture of the situation. On the DPRK -- the GOI believes this problem has moved beyond the NPT for the time being, but that if the DPRK does ultimately decide to honor its treaty obligations the GOI (and probably the EU) would be more comfortable with the position that the DPRK never left the treaty. ¶4. The GOI strongly supports the USG,s efforts to make ratification of the Additional Protocol a condition of membership for the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The GOI would like to see something to this effect in the Outcome Document. But Don,t Lose Focus on Disarmament -------------- ¶5. The GOI is very concerned about proliferation, but it sees disarmament as an equally important issue. McGrath repeatedly emphasized that any review of the NPT must be balanced. The GOI does not want to lose focus on disarmament in pursuit of non-proliferation, and does not want to see a one-sided RevCon in which the declared states force concessions on non-proliferation while avoiding any serious commitments to disarm. The GOI also strongly opposes treating disarmament commitments less seriously than non-proliferation commitments. McGrath stressed that if the non-proliferation provisions are legally binding, the disarmament provisions must be as well. The GOI feels it will be easier to gain concessions on proliferation if the declared states show they are sensitive to Non-nuclear states' disarmament concerns. Peaceful Use Is Not a High Salience Issue -------------- ¶6. Possible interference with peaceful uses in order to halt proliferation is not a major concern for the GOI because Ireland does not use nuclear energy and has no plans to do so. However, the GOI is sensitive to the concerns of developing nations on this issue and does not want to see it turned into a north/south battle. The GOI is only concerned about this issue so far as it affects the NPT, but still looks forward to consultations on either a bilateral or EU level. McGrath did remind emboff that the Euratom treaty could complicate matters (because there can be no discrimination among EU member states with regard to atomic energy). Keep Up The Good Work With Article VI Communication -------------- -------------- ¶7. Disarmament has traditionally been an important issue for Ireland and other non-aligned countries, and they want information about the disarmament efforts of the declared nuclear powers. McGrath said that the GOI notes USG Article VI efforts, and commends USG transparency on this issue. She added that the USG does a much better job communicating on this subject then some of the other declared states. While the USG,s annual presentation on disarmament is very good, the USG might consider submitting a more official "annual report". KENNY