IRAQ: IRELAND ISSUES POSITIVE STATEMENT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000104

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2015
TAGS: PREL KPAO
SUBJECT: IRAQ: IRELAND ISSUES POSITIVE STATEMENT ON
ELECTIONS

REF: A. DUBLIN 0088

B. STATE 12757

C. STATE 6458

Classified By: DCM Jonathan Benton for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) On January 27 the Irish Government issued a very
helpful statement on Iraq's elections (para 2),reversing
their earlier reluctance to do so (reftel A). Embassy had
launched a full court press, with Ambassador, DCM, Pol/Econ
Chief, and PAO raising multiple times with the Prime
Minister's office, DFA and Parliament. A GOI official said
our case proved persuasive.


2. (U) Begin Text of Irish Government Statement.

January 27, 2005
Minister Ahern pledges support for Iraqi elections.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D.,
today pledged Ireland's support for the elections being held
in Iraq on Sunday, 30 January.

"The holding of elections for a Transitional National
Assembly is the next critical step in the process for the
political reconstruction of Iraq laid down in UN Security
Council Resolution 1546. The Assembly will negotiate a new
Iraqi Constitution, and will elect a new Transitional Iraqi
Government. Whatever differences there may have been
regarding the invasion of Iraq, everybody who believes in
democracy must wish to see the Iraqi people take control of
their own destiny through the ballot box.

I am very concerned that the continuing violence may make it
very difficult for people to vote in some areas of Iraq,
although all reports and polls indicate that the majority of
Iraqis would wish to take part in the elections, if they
could. It is clear that insurgent attacks are being targeted
increasingly at Iraqi security forces and election officials,
in an attempt to prevent elections taking place, and at
ordinary Iraqi citizens, to try and provoke civil strife.
This is something to which no-one who believes in democracy
can remain indifferent.

I commend all those Iraqis ) election officials, police and
ordinary voters ) who refuse to bow to this intimidation,
and exercise their right to elect representatives of their
choice.
The Government hopes that the elections in Iraq are able to
proceed in as peaceful an atmosphere as possible, and that
Iraqis take this opportunity to come out and vote in these
elections which are crucial to the future of their country.
These elections should mark an important step towards the
establishment of democracy and the rule of law in Iraq.
Hopefully, the day will not be long delayed when elections in
Iraq take place in a peaceful atmosphere, with the full and
unhindered participation of all citizens and all political
parties, representing all communities."

End Text
KENNY