PRE-GAERC DEMARCHE: IRELAND URGES CALM ON HAMAS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000098 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2016 TAGS: PREL EUN EI SUBJECT: PRE-GAERC DEMARCHE: IRELAND URGES CALM ON HAMAS, SEQUENTIAL APPROACH TO IRAN REF: A. SECSTATE 11254 ¶B. DUBLIN 54 Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mary E. Daly; Reasons 1.4 ( B) and (D). ¶1. (C) Summary: On January 26, Post delivered reftel points to Jim Kelly, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) European Correspondent, and Siobhan Coyne, DFA Deputy European Correspondent. The GOI, said Kelly, regards the Iranian regime's behavior as unacceptable and supports the EU-3's intention to request that the IAEA Board of Governors report Iran's nuclear safeguard violations to the UNSC at the February 2-3 IAEA Board meeting, per ref B. He stated that the GOI was pleased with the December 15 elections in Iraq and was looking forward to working through the EU to continue assistance to Iraq's development efforts. Regarding Hamas' successful showing in the January 26 Palestinian Authority (PA) elections, the GOI maintains its position that Hamas' advocacy/campaign of violence was incompatible with the democratic process. Ireland will be represented on the OSCE team that will observe Belarus' March 19 presidential election, said Kelly. In reference to the Balkans, he observed that the GOI was optimistic but not unrealistic about the challenges involved in achieving a maximum consensus for the Montenegrin referendum process. He also cited the GOI's continued support for decentralization as a key confidence-building measure as Pristina and Belgrade move forward on the Kosovo status talks. End summary. IRAN -------------- ¶2. (C) Like most of the international community, said Kelly, the GOI regards the Iranian Government's behavior as unacceptable and supports the EU-3's intention to request that the IAEA Board of Governors report Iran's nuclear safeguard violations to the UNSC at the February 2-3 IAEA Board meeting (per ref B). He stated that discussions concerning Iran at the January 30 GAERC were likely to focus on the EU-3's draft IAEA resolution. Regarding reftel point recommending EU consideration of possible sanctions against Iran, Kelly noted that the GOI preferred at this time to pursue the issue in a sequential manner, with referral to the UNSC as the first step. Kelly also cited press reports on Iran's possible renewed interest in Russia's uranium enrichment offer, and he stressed that the GOI would continue to judge the Iranian Government by its actions, not words, in that regard. IRAQ -------------- ¶3. (C) Kelly said that the GOI was pleased with the December 15 elections in Iraq and was looking forward to working through the EU to continue assistance to Iraq. He mentioned that the GOI had previously pledged Euro 3 million to Iraqi development, but that only Euro 1.5 million of this sum had been spent. Kelly expressed hope that improvements on the ground in Iraq, which had made possible the opening of an EU mission in Baghdad, would create opportunities to disburse the remainder of Ireland's pledge. MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS -------------- ¶4. (C) Regarding Hamas' successful showing in the January 26 Palestinian Authority (PA) elections, the GOI maintains its position that Hamas' advocacy/campaign of violence was incompatible with the democratic process. While noting that the principles underpinning the Quartet's approach to the peace process had not changed, Kelly cited questions now before the international community as to whether the Palestinian Authority could remain a partner in that process. He added that the GOI would counsel a calm EU readjustment to the realities presented by Hamas' victory. He also reaffirmed that the GOI, in line with the EU-wide position, does not have contact with Hamas. BELARUS -------------- ¶5. (C) Ireland will be represented on the OSCE team that will observe Belarus' March 19 presidential election, said Kelly. He noted that Belarus opposition party leader Alyanksandr Milinkevich would meet EU foreign ministers on the margins of the January 30 GAERC, and that Ireland hoped to participate in these meetings. He said that the GOI fully DUBLIN 00000098 002 OF 002 agreed with the USG points on supporting independent media and civil society in Belarus in the lead-up to, and aftermath of, the election. Emboffs requested that the Irish government make a statement to this effect prior to elections, and Kelly offered to forward the request to Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern, whom, he said, had a long-standing interest in Belarus. MONTENEGRO -------------- ¶6. (C) Kelly said that the GOI was optimistic but not unrealistic about the challenges involved in achieving a maximum consensus for the Montenegrin referendum process. He added that the GOI was also very pleased with Ambassador Lacjak's early efforts to facilitate negotiations among political actors on the referendum. He also noted that representatives from Montenegro might be present at the January 30 GAERC, where discussion would be framed by the Commission's anticipated Communication on the Balkans. KOSOVO -------------- ¶7. (C) Kelly cited the tragedy of President Rugova's death, coming on the eve of the start of the Kosovo status talks. He observed that the GOI continued to view decentralization as the key confidence-building measure for Belgrade and Pristina in the status process. Kelly expected that EU incentives to encourage progress would be included in the Commission's pending Communication on the Balkans. Ireland, he added, anticipated a central EU role in the international presence in Kosovo after the status talks, though specifics were as yet unclear. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit Dublin's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/dublin/index. cfm KENNY