IRELAND MAY MAKE TOKEN CONTRIBUTION TO NEW

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000406 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM PREL SUBJECT: IRELAND MAY MAKE TOKEN CONTRIBUTION TO NEW EURASIA FOUNDATION IN RUSSIA REF: SECSTATE 44003 On March 23, Post delivered reftel talking points to Austin Gormley, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) First Secretary for Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. SIPDIS On April 6, Gormley responded that Development Corporation Ireland (DCI, the development agency within DFA) "did not see a good fit" between its Russian assistance program and contribution requests for the Eurasia Foundation. Specifically, DCI believed that the Foundation's scope was too expansive. Ireland recognized, however, that the Foundation's objectives were laudable and was prepared to consider a token contribution, perhaps in the USD 20,000 range. He noted that Ireland would "leave the door open" to this possibility pending further information from High Commissioner Solana. KENNY