Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DUBLIN105
2008-02-29 15:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dublin
how-toVZCZCXRO1421 RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV DE RUEHDL #0105 0601500 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 291500Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8924 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 0073 RUEHBL/AMCONSUL BELFAST 0675 RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA 0021
UNCLAS DUBLIN 000105
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ZAGREB FOR BELGRADE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND RECOGNIZES KOSOVO
REF: DUBLIN 81
UNCLAS DUBLIN 000105
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ZAGREB FOR BELGRADE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND RECOGNIZES KOSOVO
REF: DUBLIN 81
1. Irish Political Director Rory Montgomery called the Ambassador
the evening of February 28 to give him a heads-up that the
Government of Ireland had decided to recognize Kosovo. A press
release from Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern followed on
February 29.
2. In his press release, Ahern expressed regret that years of talks
had failed to produce an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina.
He noted that the legacy of the 1990s conflict made the return of
Serb dominion in Kosovo unthinkable; that more than 90 percent of
Kosovo's population wanted independence; and that Kosovo's
independence was supported by most of Ireland's EU partners.
3. Ahern acknowledged that the independence of Kosovo was painful
for Serbia and stressed that Ireland's recognition of Kosovo was not
an act of hostility toward Serbia. He expressed the hope that both
Serbia and Kosovo would move forward to better futures within
Europe.
4. Comment: During the past year, Ireland strongly supported the
Ahtisaari plan and was disappointed when the plan was not realized.
In his press release, Ahern favorably noted that Kosovo was
committing itself to Ahtisaari's recommendations. In recent months,
Irish Government officials have assured EMBOFFS on numerous
occasions that Ireland would recognize Kosovo in short order once
independence was declared. They have followed through. End
comment.
FOLEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ZAGREB FOR BELGRADE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND RECOGNIZES KOSOVO
REF: DUBLIN 81
1. Irish Political Director Rory Montgomery called the Ambassador
the evening of February 28 to give him a heads-up that the
Government of Ireland had decided to recognize Kosovo. A press
release from Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern followed on
February 29.
2. In his press release, Ahern expressed regret that years of talks
had failed to produce an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina.
He noted that the legacy of the 1990s conflict made the return of
Serb dominion in Kosovo unthinkable; that more than 90 percent of
Kosovo's population wanted independence; and that Kosovo's
independence was supported by most of Ireland's EU partners.
3. Ahern acknowledged that the independence of Kosovo was painful
for Serbia and stressed that Ireland's recognition of Kosovo was not
an act of hostility toward Serbia. He expressed the hope that both
Serbia and Kosovo would move forward to better futures within
Europe.
4. Comment: During the past year, Ireland strongly supported the
Ahtisaari plan and was disappointed when the plan was not realized.
In his press release, Ahern favorably noted that Kosovo was
committing itself to Ahtisaari's recommendations. In recent months,
Irish Government officials have assured EMBOFFS on numerous
occasions that Ireland would recognize Kosovo in short order once
independence was declared. They have followed through. End
comment.
FOLEY