Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DUBLIN31
2005-01-12 12:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dublin
Cable title:  

BATTLE GROUPS: GOI TO TAKE SLOW APPROACH

Tags:  MARR MOPS EU EUN 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000031 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2015
TAGS: MARR MOPS EU EUN
SUBJECT: BATTLE GROUPS: GOI TO TAKE SLOW APPROACH


Classified By: DCM JON BENTON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000031

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2015
TAGS: MARR MOPS EU EUN
SUBJECT: BATTLE GROUPS: GOI TO TAKE SLOW APPROACH


Classified By: DCM JON BENTON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D


1. (C) Keith McBean, Director of Security Policy at DFA,
told POL/ECON Chief January 11 that Defense Minister O'Dea's
recent commments to the press on Irish participation in EU
battlegroups was not coordinated with other ministries. In
an interview over the weekend, O'Dea cited legal and policy
issues that would make Irish participation in a battle group
difficult. The well-known "triple lock" policy of the Irish
government provides for deployment of armed Irish forces only
under a UN resolution and with approval of the government and
parliament, a long process that could be inconsistent with
"rapid response." There are also restrictions on joint
training Irish forces can do (absent a UN resolution) and on
foreign troops training on Irish soil. O'Dea cited these
issues as complicating Irish desires to participate in a
battlegroup.


2. (C) McBean took pains to emphasize that Irish policy has
not changed: the Irish are positively disposed to
participate in a battle group, but were not planning to do so
imminently in any case for political and legal reasons. The
Prime Minister's top foreign policy goal is Irish
ratification of the EU constitution, a goal that could be
undermined if the public sees Ireland's EU defense
obligations undercutting its cherished neutrality. In
addition to the political desire to put battlegroups on the
slow burner, the government does have legal and policy
hurdles to sort out, as Defense Minister O'Dea indicated. An
intergovernmental group (DFA, DoD, Attorney General)
continues to meet on those questions.


3. (C) Comment: The GOI is extremely proud of its
peacekeeping contributions and McBean was clear in stating
that Ireland will continue that practice, irrespective of
whether or when it joins an EU battlegroup. Defense Minister
O'Dea's comments to the press seem one part the actions of a
minister new to defense, who forgot to coordinate with other
ministries or to consider the reaction of EU partners, and
one part the actions of a minister who has long been a member
of parliament and who wanted to put his spin on the issue
before parliament reconvenes. End Comment.
KENNY