IRISH VIEWS OF THE APRIL 28-29 FOREIGN MINISTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000216 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2018 TAGS: IS PREL PGOV EI SUBJECT: IRISH VIEWS OF THE APRIL 28-29 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: A. STATE 43742 ¶B. DUBLIN 175 Classified By: Pol/Econ Section Chief Ted Pierce; Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) POLOFF delivered Ref A demarche on March 24 ,2008 to Pat Kelly, European Correspondent, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Ireland would support stronger action in Iran, though it recognizes that other EU nations may be less willing to do so. It is fully committed to Kosovo's independence and expects to donate at the Kosovo Donors Conference; and would like to see the SSA with Bosnia signed as soon as possible. Ireland opposes Russian actions in Georgia. It fully supports the Siniora government in Lebanon and expects Syria to meet its international obligations in resolving regional conflicts. Ireland regrets that there does not seem to be much progress in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. It is very concerned about the assault on democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe and would welcome UN Security Council action. It would support stronger EU measures against Burma. Ireland will follow the EU lead on Iraqi policy. It is urging the Chinese to negotiate with the Dalai Lama, and welcomes the new civilian government in Pakistan. End summary. -------------- Iran -------------- ¶2. (C) Kelly indicated that Ireland has been working hard in EU corridors to fully implement UNSCR 1803. He said that Ireland is amenable to further EU sanctions in the spirit of the resolution. Kelly stated that Ireland understands and supports the need to maintain pressure on Iran, but noted that it is easier for Ireland to propose strong action than some other EU countries because Ireland's level of trade with Iran is tiny. -------------- Kosovo -------------- ¶3. (C) Ireland is fully committed to Kosovo's independence and will continue to provide troops to KFOR, Kelly said. (Note: Ireland was the fourteenth nation in the world to recognize Kosovo. Serving as the KFOR framework nation, Ireland contributes 270 troops. End note.) Kelly agreed that UNMIK is difficult to work with, saying that Ireland would appreciate greater cooperation from the UN. However, he said Ireland recognizes that UN Secretary General Ban is under great pressure from Russia and Serbia to not support Kosovo's independence. Ireland will contribute eight or nine police officers to ICO and expects to donate at the Kosovo Donors Conference this summer, though the amount of Ireland's contribution has yet to be determined. -------------- Bosnia -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Kelly said Ireland is pleased that Bosnia has demonstrated clear political will to sign a SSA with the EU. He said there were no remaining obstacles from Ireland's perspective, and that Ireland looked forward to a quick agreement. He predicted that if the SSA was not signed during the April GAERC, it would be signed at the first available opportunity thereafter. -------------- Georgia -------------- ¶5. (C) Ireland has met with the Russians to express Irish concern about their challenge to the sovereignty of Georgia and the "creeping regionalization" Russia's actions are producing there, according to Kelly. He indicated that the EU has also expressed concern to Russia and predicted that EU solidarity would be maintained on the issue of Georgia's sovereignty. -------------- Lebanon/Syria -------------- ¶6. (C) Kelly said that Ireland shares U.S. concerns about the political deadlock in Lebanon and about Syrian meddling. Ireland fully supports the Siniora government, Kelly DUBLIN 00000216 002 OF 002 declared. Syria's actions in the region -- including blocking the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq -- is part of Syria's responsibility to meet its international obligations and the expectations of the international community, Kelly stated. However, Kelly went on to say that the international community needs to negotiate with Syria as a partner in the resolving regional conflicts because it has to be part of the solution. -------------- Israeli-Palestinian Peace -------------- ¶7. (C) Kelly anticipated that the GAERC discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process would be mostly stocktaking, rather than conclusions. He noted that actions on the ground seem to be undermining the Annapolis process, for example, the fighting in Gaza and the construction of new settlements. Ireland regrets this seeming lack of progress, Kelly said. -------------- Zimbabwe -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Kelly said that there is real concern in the EU (and in Ireland) that the Mugabe regime is attempting to alter the democratic verdict of the people of Zimbabwe, and is using violence and intimidation in its efforts. He conveyed the opinion that the only organization with any real hope of leverage in Zimbabwe was SADC, which, he said, seems to have undergone a sea change in its willingness to address the problem of Zimbabwe. Kelly said that Ireland and the EU would welcome discussion of Zimbabwe in the UN Security Council and that the EU would likely be willing to consider wider sanctions against Zimbabwe. -------------- Burma -------------- ¶9. (C) Ireland agrees that there has been no progress in Burma in establishing democracy and human rights, Kelly said. He indicated that the measures introduced in November in the Common Position on Burma would be reaffirmed at the GAERC. Ireland would support stronger EU measures against Burma, Kelly said. However, he again commented that it is easier for Ireland to propose strong action than some other EU countries because Ireland's level of trade with Burma is small. -------------- Iraq -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Kelly didn't have definitive answers to the questions posed Ref A, noting that these questions would be better addressed in Brussels. He noted that Ireland has provided significant humanitarian aid to Iraq (Ref B) and would continue to do so. He added that Ireland will follow the EU lead on Iraqi policy, which he thought would focus on supporting positive progress. -------------- China/Olympics/Tibet -------------- ¶11. (C) Ireland would not support a boycott of the Olympics in China, Kelly said. He indicated that Ireland was urging the Chinese to negotiate with the Dalai Lama, who, Kelly noted, was not advocating violence or independence from China. -------------- Pakistan -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Ireland and EU welcome the new civilian government in Pakistan, Kelly said. He anticipated that the EU will move forward quickly with a renewed dialogue with the Pakistani government, which will lead to new forms of development assistance in support of democracy and regional stability. However, he indicated that Ireland has no immediate plans to increase assistance to Pakistan. FOLEY