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