PROMOTING UN REFORM IN IRELAND

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000750 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV KUNR AORC UNSC SUBJECT: PROMOTING UN REFORM IN IRELAND REF: A. STATE 111657 ¶B. STATE 111637 Classified By: DCM JON BENTON, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D) ¶1. (SBU) On June 16, Ambassador, DCM and POLOFF delivered reftel talking points to Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Dermot Gallagher. Gallagher said that SIPDIS Ireland shares similar positions to the United States on most of the points on reform. The main difference, he noted, was in Ireland's position that developed countries must commit to the 0.7 percent of GDP to fund Official Development Assistance. He added that he would like to see more emphasis on achieving the Millennium Development Goals and strengthening the African debt relief portions of the draft statement. He also said the attendance of President Bush would determine the success and amount of progress of the September High Level Event (HLE) in New York. ¶2. (C) Gallagher also noted Irish concerns regarding U.S. support of a UN Security Council seat for Japan. In principle, the Irish would support Japanese or German membership on the Security Council, but fear vote wrangling may create division in the UN and detract from the important issues such as UN reform, development, human rights and the Peacebuilding Commission. Gallagher asked if the Permanent Five are quietly developing a strategy to address the Group of Four initiative. He also expressed a concern about the U.S. position on the "principles on the use of force." ¶3. (SBU) Post would appreciate any guidance we could share with the GOI regarding Permanent Five deliberations and the principles on the use of force. KENNY