IRELAND ON U.S. DRAFT RESOLUTION ON "CONDEMNING

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000759 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/RHS LINDA LUM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EI KWMN PHUM SOCI UNGA SUBJECT: IRELAND ON U.S. DRAFT RESOLUTION ON "CONDEMNING THE USE OF RAPE AS AN INSTRUMENT OF STATE POLICY." REF: STATE 135255 ¶1. (SBU) On September 28, POLOFF delivered reftel demarche to Gavan O'Leary, Deputy Director, Human Rights Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs. O'Leary said that Ireland is supportive of any initiative to improve womens' rights and mentioned that in general, Ireland would be supportive of legislation condeming the use of rape as an instrument of state policy. He noted the October 9 deadline for refining the text. He said he would pass along the information to his superiors and discuss the resolution with counterparts in the European Union. In regards to the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA),O'Leary said that Ireland would vote with the EU, but he indicated he would discuss the proposed legislation with his counterparts prior to the UNGA to try and avoid amendments that would fundamentally change the resolution and force the U.S. to withdraw sponsorship of the resolution. FOLEY