IRELAND'S VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THE FEBRUARY 12-13

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000103 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EUN KPAL IE SUBJECT: IRELAND'S VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THE FEBRUARY 12-13 GAERC REF: A. STATE 15811 ¶B. EUR/ERA E-MAIL OF 02/05/2007 ¶C. STATE 13840 ¶D. STATE 12957 ¶E. STATE 14071 ¶F. STATE 13880 ¶G. DUBLIN 58 Classified By: Embassy Dublin Pol/Econ Chief Joe Young for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) POLOFF delivered demarches (Refs C through F) on February 8 to Pat Kelly, European Correspondent, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),and Jim Kelly, Director, Europe Office, Political Division, DFA. Ireland is generally in agreement with U.S. positions on the Balkans, Israel/Palestine, Afghanistan, Somalia and Darfur. However, while Ireland intends to robustly implement UNSCR 1737 as converted into regulations by the EU, it remains committed to ongoing dialogue with Iran. End summary. KOSOVO -------------- ¶2. (U) Demarche reported septel (Refs C and D). SERBIA -------------- ¶3. (C) Ireland agrees the EU should encourage Serbia to pursue its EU integration aspirations. It supports the formation of a reform government that will cooperate fully with ICTY. Ireland generally sees nothing to be gained by delay in the process of consultation and negotiation on Kosovo. However, Jim Kelly pointed out that waiting a few additional days for a compelling reason -- say for the Serbian Parliament to be formed so the negotiating team could be appointed by the Parliament -- would make sense (septel). BOSNIA -------------- ¶4. (C) Ireland agrees that U.S. and EU unity and engagement need to be maintained. Pat Kelly said that the scheduled disbanding of the Office of the High Representative on June 30 should be reconsidered if it is agreed that the job is not yet finished at that time. ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN ISSUES -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Ireland is encouraged by the Saudi-brokered accord reached between Hamas and Fatah in Mecca on February 8, seeing it as progress toward an eventual two-state settlement. Ireland is fully committed to the EU's Quartet role, including the Temporary International Mechanism. IRAN -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Ireland continues to support the EU "twin-track" approach. Kelly noted that the EU is currently converting UNSCR 1737 into EU regulations, which Ireland will rigorously implement (track one),including whatever sanctions the EU applies to specific businesses or individuals, e.g., Bank Sepah (Refs C and E.) However, Ireland still holds out hope for continued dialogue with Iran (track two),believing that international consensus delivered through diplomacy will help bring Iran's actions into compliance with international expectations. AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶7. (C) Ireland fully endorses the EU's plan to undertake a police training mission and is currently contributing seven troops to ISAF in Afghanistan (Refs C, F, and G). (Note: The Irish Department of Defense has decided to maintain its troop level in Afghanistan at seven soldiers, vice eight as reported Ref G. Rotation of two troops to other duties within Afghanistan is planned. End note.) SUDAN/DARFUR -------------- ¶8. (U) Ireland supports coordinated efforts through the UN to implement all phases of the UN SYG's plan for UN-controlled peacekeeping in Darfur. (Comment: Ireland will almost certainly support any other measures agreed through UN mechanisms. End Comment.) SOMALIA -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Ireland fully agrees with the EU decision to allocate euro 15 million to the African Peace Facility (APF) and agrees that additional EU funding will be needed, though close coordination among Contact Group members will be required to ascertain the appropriate level of additional support. EU officials are currently working on mechanisms to enable the APF funds to be released. However, release of these funds will depend, in part, on how quickly the African Union can organize the deployment of a stabilization force. WTO/DOHA -------------- ¶10. (U) Response from demarche at the Department of Trade will be sent septel. Ref A papers were left with DFA. COOPERATION COUNCIL MEETING WITH KAZAKHSTAN -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Pat Kelly took on board the U.S. position on the Cooperation Council meeting with Kazakhstan (Ref B). FOLEY