G-4 PROPOSAL: IRISH TO DELAY DECISION UNTIL UNGA

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000914 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OTRA KSEP UNGA SUBJECT: G-4 PROPOSAL: IRISH TO DELAY DECISION UNTIL UNGA VOTE REF: A. STATE 132429 ¶B. DUBLIN 884 On July 21, Post delivered ref A demarche to Julian Clare and Eoin Duggan, First and Third Secretaries, respectively, in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) United Nations Section. Clare said that the GOI had not taken a position on the G-4 proposal for UNSC expansion and would not likely do so until immediately before a General Assembly vote, with Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Bertie Ahern and Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern having the final say. Ireland concurs with U.S. views that measures to reform the UNSC should enjoy international legitimacy and enhance the body's effectiveness. The GOI also favors the criteria for new UNSC membership outlined in reftel. Ireland, however, has not committed to any model for Security Council expansion, despite lobbying by representatives of G-4 countries and the Uniting for Consensus group. Clare noted that Ireland had "self-consciously" avoided a position on the G-4 proposal, since the GOI did not want to compromise Foreign Minister Ahern's position as one of five regional envoys appointed by UNSYG Kofi Annan to promote UN reform. (Other DFA officials have made the same point to Emboffs, per ref B.) According to Clare, Foreign Minister Ahern had stressed in his regional consultations that Security Council reform was important, but should not overshadow or delay other required UN reforms. BENTON