Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUBLIN391
2006-04-12 17:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dublin
Cable title:
IRELAND MAINTAINS HARD LINE ON BURMA SANCTIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO1261 PP RUEHAG RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHDL #0391 1021724 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121724Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6775 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 0026 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0120 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0011 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0045 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 0019 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000391
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PREL BM EAID EU PHUM PREF EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND MAINTAINS HARD LINE ON BURMA SANCTIONS
REF: A. SECSTATE 55919
B. SECSTATE 57126
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mary E. Daly; Reasons 1.4 (
B) and (D).
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000391
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PREL BM EAID EU PHUM PREF EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND MAINTAINS HARD LINE ON BURMA SANCTIONS
REF: A. SECSTATE 55919
B. SECSTATE 57126
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mary E. Daly; Reasons 1.4 (
B) and (D).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Ireland supports the unconditional renewal of the
EU's common position on Burma, said James McIntyre,
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Deputy Director of the
Asia and Oceania Political Division, to whom Emboff delivered
reftel points on April 12. Additionally, he informed Emboff
that Ireland did not participate in the 2006 Burma/Myanmar
Forum and that the EC statements, including that of EC
Director General for External Relations, Eneko Landaburu,
were not representative of the EU. McIntyre stated that the
GOI remains strongly committed to the continuation of
sanctions and restrictions on Burma outlined in the EU common
position. The GOI also stands by comments made to the Irish
Parliament by Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern condemning the
GOB's abuse of human rights and general lack of progress
towards democracy. End Summary.
GOI SUPPORTS RENEWAL OF EU COMMON POSITION
--------------
2. (C) McIntyre noted that among EU countries, Ireland is
perceived as having one of the most hard-line positions on
Burma, and as one of the countries that is most supportive of
the roll-over of the EU common position, due to expire April
30. He anticipates that the common position will be renewed
in its entirety, and he was not aware of any EU states
softening their approach on Burma. Foreign Minister Ahern
confirmed in an April 4 statement to Parliament that the GOI
would continue to restrict diplomatic exchanges with Burma
until the Burmese Government made significant progress in the
roadmap towards democracy. McIntyre believes the GOI's
position will be coordinated with the USG when Burma is
discussed at the ILO in June and ECOSOC in July.
ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING
--------------
3. (C) According to McIntyre, there is an increased
recognition among EU states of the roles played by ASEAN
countries, China, India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea in
catalyzing meaningful political, legislative, and
humanitarian reforms in Burma. The GOI will encourage a
unified approach on Burma among these countries through
continued bilateral contact with respective country
representatives. Ireland, however, will not likely make a
public statement on Burma prior to the April ASEAN Foreign
Ministers meeting.
SKEPTICAL OF PROGRESS THROUGH SECURITY COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT
-------------- --------------
4. (C) The GOI supports further UN Security Council
engagement regarding Burma, said McIntyre. Ireland is
concerned, however, that the UNSC may not be able to agree on
mechanisms that would foster meaningful progress.
Additionally, he stated that the GOI does not anticipate, nor
is it likely to press, UNSYG Annan to name a new UN Special
Envoy, considering the consistent unwillingness of the
Burmese regime to participate in dialogue with former Special
Envoy, Razali Ismail. Should a new Special Envoy be named,
however, the GOI would be supportive of strengthening his/her
mandate to pursue democratic reform.
BENTON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PREL BM EAID EU PHUM PREF EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND MAINTAINS HARD LINE ON BURMA SANCTIONS
REF: A. SECSTATE 55919
B. SECSTATE 57126
Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mary E. Daly; Reasons 1.4 (
B) and (D).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Ireland supports the unconditional renewal of the
EU's common position on Burma, said James McIntyre,
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Deputy Director of the
Asia and Oceania Political Division, to whom Emboff delivered
reftel points on April 12. Additionally, he informed Emboff
that Ireland did not participate in the 2006 Burma/Myanmar
Forum and that the EC statements, including that of EC
Director General for External Relations, Eneko Landaburu,
were not representative of the EU. McIntyre stated that the
GOI remains strongly committed to the continuation of
sanctions and restrictions on Burma outlined in the EU common
position. The GOI also stands by comments made to the Irish
Parliament by Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern condemning the
GOB's abuse of human rights and general lack of progress
towards democracy. End Summary.
GOI SUPPORTS RENEWAL OF EU COMMON POSITION
--------------
2. (C) McIntyre noted that among EU countries, Ireland is
perceived as having one of the most hard-line positions on
Burma, and as one of the countries that is most supportive of
the roll-over of the EU common position, due to expire April
30. He anticipates that the common position will be renewed
in its entirety, and he was not aware of any EU states
softening their approach on Burma. Foreign Minister Ahern
confirmed in an April 4 statement to Parliament that the GOI
would continue to restrict diplomatic exchanges with Burma
until the Burmese Government made significant progress in the
roadmap towards democracy. McIntyre believes the GOI's
position will be coordinated with the USG when Burma is
discussed at the ILO in June and ECOSOC in July.
ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING
--------------
3. (C) According to McIntyre, there is an increased
recognition among EU states of the roles played by ASEAN
countries, China, India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea in
catalyzing meaningful political, legislative, and
humanitarian reforms in Burma. The GOI will encourage a
unified approach on Burma among these countries through
continued bilateral contact with respective country
representatives. Ireland, however, will not likely make a
public statement on Burma prior to the April ASEAN Foreign
Ministers meeting.
SKEPTICAL OF PROGRESS THROUGH SECURITY COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT
-------------- --------------
4. (C) The GOI supports further UN Security Council
engagement regarding Burma, said McIntyre. Ireland is
concerned, however, that the UNSC may not be able to agree on
mechanisms that would foster meaningful progress.
Additionally, he stated that the GOI does not anticipate, nor
is it likely to press, UNSYG Annan to name a new UN Special
Envoy, considering the consistent unwillingness of the
Burmese regime to participate in dialogue with former Special
Envoy, Razali Ismail. Should a new Special Envoy be named,
however, the GOI would be supportive of strengthening his/her
mandate to pursue democratic reform.
BENTON