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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶3. (C) Kelly said there was no chance that the existing EU arms embargo on China would be lifted anytime soon. EU-Africa Summit -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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. DUBLIN 00000851 002 OF 002 IRAQ -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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