IRISH RESPONSE TO ORAL MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY

S E C R E T DUBLIN 000763

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2014
TAGS: PREL
SUBJECT: IRISH RESPONSE TO ORAL MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY
ON THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IRAQ

REF: STATE 114212

Classified By: POL/ECON DCM JBENTON, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)


1. (S) On June 20, emboff delivered reftel oral message to
Department of Foreign Affairs Regional Director for Middle
East and North Africa, Stephen Dawson. Dawson said that the
GOI position on Iraq is in line with that of the United
States. He said that Ireland supports the democratically
elected Iraqi transitional government (ITG) and finds its new
leadership role "heartening." He added that the GOI believes
that it is a good idea to keep pressure on Syria to reduce
the number of insurgents crossing the border into Iraq. He
noted, however, that Ireland will not be making a statement
on Iraq independent of the EU.


2. (S) Dawson added that talks between EU member states have
revealed that the Iraqis are pressing for aid to help the
physical re-structuring of Iraq while European concerns are
to build the ITG's capacity for governance.


3. (S) Dawson also noted that the failure of the EU
constitution in several member states could devolve into
"squabbling" over Iraq as members seek to position themselves
politically by pointing fingers at past divisions within the
union.

KENNY