Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DUBLIN398
2008-07-03 14:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dublin
Cable title:
IRISH GOVERNMENT ON OUTCOME OF MAY 2008 CLUSTER
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHDL #0398/01 1851458 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 031458Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9308 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0160 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0067 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000398
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL PGOV MOPS NATO EI
SUBJECT: IRISH GOVERNMENT ON OUTCOME OF MAY 2008 CLUSTER
MUNITIONS CONFERENCE
REF: A. STATE 66793
B. DUBLIN 251
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Ted Pierce; Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
-------
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000398
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL PGOV MOPS NATO EI
SUBJECT: IRISH GOVERNMENT ON OUTCOME OF MAY 2008 CLUSTER
MUNITIONS CONFERENCE
REF: A. STATE 66793
B. DUBLIN 251
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Ted Pierce; Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) POLOFFs met on June 26 with Nicholas Twist, Deputy
Director, Department of Foreign Affairs, to review the
outcome of the May 19-30, 2008 Cluster Munitions Conference
in Dublin (Ref A). During the Conference, the Irish achieved
their two main objectives: the condemnation of cluster
munitions; and the maintenance of interoperability in
peacekeeping initiatives (Article 21) ) the latter a key
desired outcome for the U.S. and other holders of cluster
munitions. The Irish Government also recognizes and respects
the U.S. Government's commitment to the Convention on
Conventional Weapons (CCW) (Ref B) and intends to actively
participate in the CCW. This does not necessarily mean,
however, that the Irish can be expected to agree with U.S.
positions in the CCW. End summary.
--------------
Dublin Cluster Munitions Conference
--------------
2. (C) Twist told POLOFFs that the Irish Government was both
relieved and delighted with the outcome of the conference.
With considerable behind-the-scenes arm-twisting, he said,
Ireland's two main objectives were realized: the condemnation
of cluster munitions and the maintenance of interoperability
in peacekeeping endeavors (Article 21),where, he said,
Ireland is a key stakeholder. (Note: Ten percent of
Ireland's 8,500-troop army is deployed on overseas
peacekeeping missions at any given time. End note.) Twist
noted the Irish Government's appreciation of U.S. views of
the outcome of the conference (Ref B).
3. (C) Twist said that the next step in the Oslo Process
would be the signing of the Cluster Munitions Convention in
Oslo in December, 2008. He stated that there would be a
great deal of work to accomplish during the remainder of the
year to assist nations in ratifying the Convention. He
conveyed that he expected the Irish Parliament to produce a
ratification instrument quickly, which could then be used as
a template for other nations that might not be as far along
in the process. Twist noted that widespread regional
seminars and conferences would be held across Europe to
explain the outcome of the Dublin conference. He mentioned
that Bulgaria and Uganda might hold conferences in the near
future. While Ireland hopes for the Convention to come into
force by the end of 2008, Twist acknowledged that it may take
more time to get the required number of nations (30) to
deposit instruments of ratification.
4. (C) Twist stated that the Irish Government recognized and
respected the U.S. Government's commitment to the Convention
on Conventional Weapons (CCW) (Ref B). He noted that Ireland
was firmly committed to working with the U.S. to move the CCW
process forward during the July conference in Geneva,
declaring that Ireland has "always been keen" on the United
Nations as an institution and that this platform was not
going to change. Nonetheless, Twist warned that Ireland
would push back in Geneva if it perceived any attempts to
dilute the outcome of the Dublin Cluster Munitions
Conference.
5. (C) Twist asked about the ongoing U.S. Government
internal review on the future uses of cluster munitions,
requesting the latest read-out.
--------------
Comment
--------------
6. (C) At the heart of Ireland's commitment to a ban on
cluster munitions lies a national ethos of humanitarian
initiative and military neutrality. However, the Irish are
also pragmatic ) they understand the need for credible
military forces, which can take on peacekeeping interventions
that are often necessary to create conditions for the
delivery of humanitarian assistance. The Irish worked hard
) and successfully ) during the Dublin Conference to
achieve an outcome that addressed their concerns, but was
workable for the U.S. and other holders of cluster munitions.
This does not necessarily mean, however, that the Irish can
be expected to agree with U.S. positions in the CCW.
FOLEY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2018
TAGS: PARM PREL PGOV MOPS NATO EI
SUBJECT: IRISH GOVERNMENT ON OUTCOME OF MAY 2008 CLUSTER
MUNITIONS CONFERENCE
REF: A. STATE 66793
B. DUBLIN 251
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Ted Pierce; Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) POLOFFs met on June 26 with Nicholas Twist, Deputy
Director, Department of Foreign Affairs, to review the
outcome of the May 19-30, 2008 Cluster Munitions Conference
in Dublin (Ref A). During the Conference, the Irish achieved
their two main objectives: the condemnation of cluster
munitions; and the maintenance of interoperability in
peacekeeping initiatives (Article 21) ) the latter a key
desired outcome for the U.S. and other holders of cluster
munitions. The Irish Government also recognizes and respects
the U.S. Government's commitment to the Convention on
Conventional Weapons (CCW) (Ref B) and intends to actively
participate in the CCW. This does not necessarily mean,
however, that the Irish can be expected to agree with U.S.
positions in the CCW. End summary.
--------------
Dublin Cluster Munitions Conference
--------------
2. (C) Twist told POLOFFs that the Irish Government was both
relieved and delighted with the outcome of the conference.
With considerable behind-the-scenes arm-twisting, he said,
Ireland's two main objectives were realized: the condemnation
of cluster munitions and the maintenance of interoperability
in peacekeeping endeavors (Article 21),where, he said,
Ireland is a key stakeholder. (Note: Ten percent of
Ireland's 8,500-troop army is deployed on overseas
peacekeeping missions at any given time. End note.) Twist
noted the Irish Government's appreciation of U.S. views of
the outcome of the conference (Ref B).
3. (C) Twist said that the next step in the Oslo Process
would be the signing of the Cluster Munitions Convention in
Oslo in December, 2008. He stated that there would be a
great deal of work to accomplish during the remainder of the
year to assist nations in ratifying the Convention. He
conveyed that he expected the Irish Parliament to produce a
ratification instrument quickly, which could then be used as
a template for other nations that might not be as far along
in the process. Twist noted that widespread regional
seminars and conferences would be held across Europe to
explain the outcome of the Dublin conference. He mentioned
that Bulgaria and Uganda might hold conferences in the near
future. While Ireland hopes for the Convention to come into
force by the end of 2008, Twist acknowledged that it may take
more time to get the required number of nations (30) to
deposit instruments of ratification.
4. (C) Twist stated that the Irish Government recognized and
respected the U.S. Government's commitment to the Convention
on Conventional Weapons (CCW) (Ref B). He noted that Ireland
was firmly committed to working with the U.S. to move the CCW
process forward during the July conference in Geneva,
declaring that Ireland has "always been keen" on the United
Nations as an institution and that this platform was not
going to change. Nonetheless, Twist warned that Ireland
would push back in Geneva if it perceived any attempts to
dilute the outcome of the Dublin Cluster Munitions
Conference.
5. (C) Twist asked about the ongoing U.S. Government
internal review on the future uses of cluster munitions,
requesting the latest read-out.
--------------
Comment
--------------
6. (C) At the heart of Ireland's commitment to a ban on
cluster munitions lies a national ethos of humanitarian
initiative and military neutrality. However, the Irish are
also pragmatic ) they understand the need for credible
military forces, which can take on peacekeeping interventions
that are often necessary to create conditions for the
delivery of humanitarian assistance. The Irish worked hard
) and successfully ) during the Dublin Conference to
achieve an outcome that addressed their concerns, but was
workable for the U.S. and other holders of cluster munitions.
This does not necessarily mean, however, that the Irish can
be expected to agree with U.S. positions in the CCW.
FOLEY