Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUBLIN401
2006-04-13 18:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dublin
Cable title:  

IRELAND PLANNING A REDUCTION OF THE QRF IN

Tags:  PREL KPKO MARR NATO UN LI EI SW 
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VZCZCXRO2817
OO RUEHAG
DE RUEHDL #0401/01 1031834
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 131834Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6786
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY
RUEHMV/AMEMBASSY MONROVIA PRIORITY 0013
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0134
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000401 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR NATO UN LI EI SW
SUBJECT: IRELAND PLANNING A REDUCTION OF THE QRF IN
LIBERIA, BUT WILL DISCUSS A POSSIBLE EXTENSION WITH UN-DPKO

REF: A. STATE 056066

B. DUBLIN 313 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Mary E. Daly, Pol/Econ Chief for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000401

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PREL KPKO MARR NATO UN LI EI SW
SUBJECT: IRELAND PLANNING A REDUCTION OF THE QRF IN
LIBERIA, BUT WILL DISCUSS A POSSIBLE EXTENSION WITH UN-DPKO

REF: A. STATE 056066

B. DUBLIN 313 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Mary E. Daly, Pol/Econ Chief for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. On April 12th, POL/ECON Chief and DATT met
with Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) UN/Terrorism
and Illicit Drugs Director John Deady and Deputy Director
Brian Cahalane and separately with Deputy Political Director
Colm O'Floinn and Desk Officer Louise Hartigan regarding the
Government of Ireland's (GOI) plans for the potential
extension of peacekeeping forces in the UN Mission in Liberia
(UNMIL). Although the GOI is currently looking towards a 25%
reduction of forces that could begin as early as May or June,
a planned discussion between the GOI and the UN's Department
of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) on April 24th will
determine the possibility of an extension beyond November.
The main discussion points will be the implications of such
an extension and the viability of a QRF in Liberia,
especially given Swedish determination to leave in November
and the lack of other countries willing to take a turn.
Additional issues include necessary maintenance for the
equipment that has served in the area for nearly three years
as well as the camp confinement and extreme conditions that
allocated troops face in the demanding environment of
Liberia. Despite these issues, Deady said there is top
political level interest in the possibility of the extension.
In a separate meeting, O'Floinn took the opportunity to
raise the issue of the Partnership for Peace and discussed
Ireland's EU Battlegroups plan.

LIBERIA
--------------


2. (C) In response to the presented reftel points, Deady
said that at the political level, the GOI is interested in
exploring the possibility of extending the QRF's stay and
remaining part of the UNMIL. Although Ireland's original
commitment to UNMIL will cease late in 2006, the GOI plans to
discuss the implications of a possible extension as well as

the viability of a QRF in Liberia with the UN on April 24.
Deady mentioned the additional issue of maintenance for the
equipment that has served in the area for nearly three years
must be factored into the equation and also noted the camp
confinement and extreme conditions that the allocated troops
face in the demanding environment of Liberia. The GOI is
currently looking towards a reduction of forces in the middle
of the year and could begin as early as May or June. This
reduction is foreseen to be approximately 25% of the existing
personnel equating to 80 to 90 of the 330 currently allocated
troops. Deady confirmed that the Swedes will not extend and
intend to completely depart in November to prepare for the EU
Nordic Battlegroup.


3. (C) Deady also mentioned political factors of concern.
He said the situation in Liberia must be monitored as it
progresses, in particular Charles Taylor's influential
presence in the region. Deady stated it would be beneficial
to the situation if the UN Security Council successfully
transfers the trial to The Hague and uses the facilities of
the International Criminal Court (ICC). When asked, Deady
answered he was unaware of any replacements for the Swedes
and said no one seems to be lining up for the task. He
expressed his disappointment but added that many of the other
countries' military forces are not necessarily qualified for
the QRF. He also said the DPKO cannot be completely blamed
as they have been experiencing difficulties with the
unavailability of a suitable replacement. In reaction to the
notion of delaying the reduction until November, Deady
responded that the GOI would likely stick to its schedule of
beginning to reduce troops in June.

PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE/EU BATTLEGROUPS
--------------


4. (C) In a separate meeting, O'Floinn raised the issue of
the Partnership for Peace and discussed Ireland's EU
Battlegroups plan. According to O'Floinn, the GOI has met
with the Swedes on March 10th and O'Floinn confirmed
Ireland's intended involvement in the EU Nordic Battlegroup
set to be prepared by January 2008, pending a cabinet
decision and necessary changes to Irish law. He added that
this potential participation would not deter from the DPKO
since the initial contribution to the Nordic Battlegroup
would be modest in size. The GOI intends to continue its
historic involvement in peacekeeping operations of the EU,
UN, and NATO that is commensurate with Ireland's continued
growth, size and economics. O'Floinn commented on the fact
that the GOI is following the ideas put forth by the U.S.

DUBLIN 00000401 002 OF 002


Ambassador to NATO pertaining to the Partnership for Peace
and noted Ireland has greatly benefited from the defense
relationship in the past and would like to continue to do so
in the future. O'Floinn expressed concern that any
development of the Partnership for Peace should not leave
some other countries behind.

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