IRISH VIEWS ON THE NOVEMBER 19-20 FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000851

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/RA (NEPHEW) AND IO/T (VON BEHREN)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017
TAGS: IS PREL PGOV KNNP MNUC IAEA IR PARM AORC EI
SUBJECT: IRISH VIEWS ON THE NOVEMBER 19-20 FOREIGN
MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) AND IRAN

REF: A. STATE 157039


B. STATE 156474

Classified By: Pol/Econ Section Chief Ted Pierce;
Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).

Summary
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1. (C) POLOFFs delivered demarches (Refs A and B) on
November 16, 2007 to Pat Kelly, European Correspondent,
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Ireland is disappointed
in the continued intransigence of Iran and is steadily moving
toward endorsement of sanctions within an EU or UN framework.
Recognizing that the UNSC may not be able to find solutions
in the Balkans, Ireland thinks the EU must find European
solutions to European problems. Ireland hopes for progress
at the EU-Africa summit in spite of Mugabe's participation,
and sees no chance of the EU arms embargo on China being
lifted during the EU-China summit. Additional Irish
development assistance to the Palestinians will depend, in
part, on the outcome of Annapolis. Ireland wants to be
helpful in Iraq and just announced an additional 3 million
euros in humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people. The
Irish Government supports firm international responses
against the political and human rights abuses occurring in
Burma, Pakistan and Lebanon. End summary.

Iran
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2. (C) Kelly agreed that ElBaradei's report was
disappointing, saying that Ireland had been hoping for a more
positive response from Iran (Refs A and B). He reiterated
that Ireland sees the UN Security Council as the best
mechanism to bring pressure to bear on Iran. While still
favoring continued diplomatic negotiations with Iran, Kelly
said that Ireland would support any sanctions that are
applied by the UN or the EU. He emphasized, however, that
the IAEA report was only half the picture, saying that High
Representative Javier Solana would be making his report on
Iran to the GAERC, and that this report would significantly
influence Ireland's -- and the EU's -- next steps. As
regards China, Kelly noted that the EU-China summit would
cover a broad range of foreign policy issues and that the
situation in Iran would certainly be highlighted by the EU.

EU-China Summit - EU China Arms Embargo
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3. (C) Kelly said there was no chance that the existing EU
arms embargo on China would be lifted anytime soon.

EU-Africa Summit
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4. (SBU) Kelly declared that Ireland abhors the situation in
Zimbabwe and fully supports a thorough airing of Mugabe's
misrule in Zimbabwe at the EU-Africa summit. Nonetheless, he
said, Ireland viewed the summit as extremely important in
giving substance to a growing range of common interests
between the EU and Africa, and would not be willing to
sacrifice possible gains simply because of Mugabe's presence.
Ireland's strategy in dealing with Mugabe will be to try to
ensure that he doesn't dominate the agenda, Kelly stated.

Kosovo
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5. (C) Ireland continues to hope for progress through the
Troika process even though little time is left, Kelly said,
adding, however, that Ireland recognizes December 10 as a
pivotal date and doesn't see any utility in extending it.
Kelly indicated that Ireland would like to see the matter
resolved within the UNSC, but acknowledged that the EU will
need to step up, if the UNSC remains deadlocked, to find a
European solution to a European problem. (Note: Ireland is
the Framework Nation in Kosovo, responsible for commanding,
controlling and directing operations of the multinational
peacekeeping task force operating there. End note.)

Bosnia
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6. (C) Ireland fully supports High Representative Lujcak and
agrees that the international community needs to remain
firmly engaged in Bosnia, according to Kelly. He indicated
that the EUFOR mandate would probably not be discussed at the
GAERC.

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IRAQ
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7. (SBU) Favorably mentioning the reduction in violence in
Iraq, Kelly said that Ireland was anxious to do what it could
to reduce the conflict there. He noted that the Iraqi
Foreign Minister would be addressing the November GAERC,
which could stimulate development assistance from the EU or
from individual member states. Kelly reported that Irish
Overseas Development Minister Michael Kitt had just announced
(on November 16) a further donation of humanitarian
assistance to Iraq of 3 million euros, bringing Ireland's
2007 humanitarian aid donation to Iraq to a total of 5
million euros.

Israeli-Palestinian Peace
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8. (C) Kelly reiterated that Ireland seeks a comprehensive
two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He
said that the Irish Government attaches great importance to
the Annapolis conference, expressing hope that the conference
would clarify the roadmap and accelerate progress along it.
He indicated that future development assistance to the
Palestinians would depend, in part, on the outcome of
Annapolis.

Lebanon/Syria
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9. (SBU) Kelly indicated that the EU is making intensive
efforts to broker an agreement in Lebanon. He agreed that
the Presidential elections must be "by the rules," adding
that Ireland would fully support any legitimately elected
government. Ireland's -- and the EU's -- next steps, he said
will be based on events on the ground and reports by EU
interlocutors.

Burma
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10. (SBU) Kelly reiterated that Ireland supports robust
measures against the Burma junta. He said that the November
GAERC would formally adopt the stronger measures agreed in
October, such as new sanctions, and officially endorse the
appointment of Mr. Fassino as the EU Special Envoy for Burma.

Pakistan
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11. (U) Citing the EU President's statement of November 5,
Kelly noted that Ireland fully supports the lifting of the
state of emergency and the Provisional Constitutional Order,
the restoration of fundamental freedoms, and the holding of
free, fair, and transparent elections.
FOLEY