IRELAND WANTS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT HIZBALLAH

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000193 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2014 TAGS: ETTC PTER EFIN EUN SUBJECT: IRELAND WANTS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT HIZBALLAH DESIGNATION REF: STATE 26062 Classified By: ACTING POL/ECON CHIEF JOE YOUNG, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D) (C) On February 14, Emboff delivered reftel points to First Secretary Maurice Biggar and Third Secretary Eoin Duggan of SIPDIS International Terrorism and Illicit Drugs/UN Desk, and Paul Gunning, Deputy Regional Director, Gulf and North Africa Desk at the DFA. Biggar and Gunning said that EU Member States are conducting an ongoing dialogue regarding the potential designation of Hizballah as a terrorist organization. Biggar and Gunning appeared uncomfortable discussing the subject and declined to forecast how Ireland would approach the February 16 EU Clearinghouse. Biggar, who will attend the Clearinghouse, said that Ireland will cast its vote for designation only if Hizballah meets all of the criteria set forth in Common Position 931. Gunning said the vote will be cast based on clear evidence of Hizballah involvement in terrorism, and to be unanimous, the EU member states need more than just the assertions of guilt they are receiving from the United States and Israel. BENTON