Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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05DUBLIN884 | 2005-07-15 14:27:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Dublin |
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 SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000884 |
1. (C) Summary: On July 14, Post delivered reftel demarche to Gerard Keown, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) EU Foreign Correspondent. According to Keown, the GOI was optimistic that EU accession talks for Turkey would begin October 3. He noted that Ireland would favor referring any Iranian breach of the Paris Agreement to the IAEA Board of Governors to discuss whether to report Iran to the UNSC. Regarding the UN High-Level Event, Ireland had not taken a position on the G-4 proposal because it did not wish to compromise Foreign Minister Ahern's position as one of five regional envoys appointed by UNSYG Annan to promote UN reforms. On Uzbekistan, Keown said that EU Member States wished to take a firm stance on the Andijon incident, while avoiding an isolationist approach that, as with Belarus, might be unproductive. End summary. Turkey -------------------------- 2. (C) Ireland is hopeful that EU accession talks for Turkey will begin October 3, according to Keown. He noted that the decision to commence talks depended on two issues: continuation of Turkey's reform process and progress in normalization with Cyprus. On the first issue, Ireland acknowledged Prime Minister Erdogan's stewardship of the reform process, but was concerned that the rapid pace of reforms might make their full implementation difficult. Regarding normalization with Cyprus, Ireland and the Member States were awaiting the Turkish Government's decision to sign the Protocol extending the Ankara Agreement (on the EU-Turkey customs union) to the new Member States -- a step that would entail recognition of Cyprus to a degree. Keown remarked that the EU was finalizing the negotiating framework that would be used if the October 3 GAERC approved the start of accession talks. HLE --- 3. (C) Keown commented that the GOI's approach to the UN High-Level Event (HLE) would seek to be as faithful as possible to recommendations in UNSYG Annan's report, "In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security, and Human Rights for All." Ireland supported a global recommitment to the Millennium Development Goals and the establishment of a Peacebuilding Commission, given the perceived lack of international follow-on to post-conflict situations. Keown pointed out that UNSYG Annan's report had not used the word "package" in reference to UN reforms and that a separate track was emerging to address possible changes in UNSC membership. He stressed that Ireland did not wish to see debate on UNSC reform "contaminate" discussions on other needed reforms. Keown added that the GOI had not yet taken a position on the G-4 proposal, mainly because Ireland did not wish to complicate Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern's consultations with European governments as one of five regional envoys appointed by UNSYG Annan to promote proposals made by "In Larger Freedom." Syria/Lebanon -------------------------- 4. (C) The GOI was pleased with the Lebanese elections and would be willing to work within the EU to support the new Lebanese Government and its proposed reforms, said Keown. Ireland, however, would be watching the way the new Government acts, especially its efforts to improve inter-community relations. Keown commented that the GOI shared USG concerns about continuing Syrian influence in Lebanon, the flow of foreign fighters entering Iraq through Syria, and the operation of Palestinian rejectionist groups within Syria's borders. He added that there was currently no movement within the EU to finalize the Syrian Association Agreement. Iran -------------------------- 5. (C) Keown said that the EU-3 talks were on hold, pending clarity on the reported resignation of chief Iranian negotiator, Hassan Rowhani, following Mahmood Ahmadinejad's election as Iran's president in June. Ireland shared U.S. concerns about the legitimacy of Ahmadinejad's election, while noting that his margin of victory in the second round of voting was substantial. Keown pointed out that EU policy toward Iran would not change regardless of possible personnel changes with the new Iranian administration. Specifically, the EU would continue to insist through the EU-3 process that Iran abandon sensitive nuclear fuel pursuits, while offering measures to address Iran's legitimate energy needs. Keown added that Ireland would view any Iranian breach of the Paris Agreement as "extremely worrying" and would favor referring the matter to the IAEA Board of Governors to discuss whether to report Iran to the UNSC. Uzbekistan -------------------------- 6. (C) Ireland supports calls for an independent, international investigation into the Andijon incident, but Member States have not yet reached consensus on an overall EU approach to Uzbekistan, according to Keown. He said that Member States wished to take a firm stand on Andijon, while avoiding an isolationist posture that, as with Belarus, might be unproductive. Keown expected the EU to ratchet up pressure on Uzbekistan following the July 18-19 GAERC, to include support for invoking the OSCE Moscow Mechanism (to open an OSCE investigation into Andijon without the Uzbek Government's concurrence). Ireland would favor such a move, he added. Keown also related Ireland's hope that the USG and Russian Government would be "tough" with Uzkekistan, drawing on diplomatic leverage related to their military facilities in the country. KENNY |