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