Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DUBLIN510
2009-11-27 14:43:00
SECRET
Embassy Dublin
Cable title:
IRELAND ON ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000510
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2029
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND ON ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
REF: A. HUIZINGA-HACKWORTH E-MAIL 11/25/09
B. STATE 120807
C. DUBLIN 360
DUBLIN 00000510 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert J. Faucher. Reasons 1.4(b/d).
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 DUBLIN 000510
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2029
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND ON ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
REF: A. HUIZINGA-HACKWORTH E-MAIL 11/25/09
B. STATE 120807
C. DUBLIN 360
DUBLIN 00000510 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert J. Faucher. Reasons 1.4(b/d).
1. (S) SUMMARY: On November 27, Charge discussed the
possibility of additional Irish contributions in Afghanistan
with David Donoghue, Political Director in the Irish
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). This underscored a
November 25 meeting of POLOFF with Isolde Moylan, Director of
the Asia and Oceania Bureau in the DFA, and Peter McIvor, the
Bureau's Deputy Director. Our interlocutors reiterated
Ireland,s continued desire to stay involved in ISAF and
support the mission in Afghanistan. While constrained by
upcoming budget cuts, they said they would explore
possibilities of increasing Ireland's contribution. END
SUMMARY.
2. (S) We stressed that the U.S. was hoping to see strong
public support for the U.S. strategy once it is announced,
and that the U.S. is prepared to commit significant
additional resources to the mission in Afghanistan. We said
that increased contributions from Ireland would help
underline Ireland's role as a partner in this international
effort. We added that the announcement of a concrete Irish
contribution, at the December 7 ISAF Force Generation
conference if feasible, would be greatly appreciated.
--------------
BUDGET IS TIGHT
--------------
3. (S) Our interlocutors said that, while the DFA favors
Ireland,s increasing its contribution where possible, the
need to reduce Ireland's ballooning budget deficit (ref C)
was a considerable constraint on any new spending. With
voters suffering in the current economic downturn and every
government department facing cuts in next year's budget (to
be presented on December 9),it would be difficult to find
personnel and resources to do more in Afghanistan than what
Ireland is currently doing.
--------------
POSSIBLY MORE TRAINERS, ODA
--------------
4. (S) Donoghue told us the DFA was consulting with the Irish
Department of Justice on the possibility of sending a limited
number of police trainers to Afghanistan under the EU's EUPOL
police training mission. Also, Donoghue said he would push
Irish Aid to see if more development assistance could be
announced by the time of the December 7 ISAF Force Generation
conference or thereafter. (NOTE: Ireland,s total
Afghanistan assistance over the past few years has been
around 20 million euros. END NOTE.) Donoghue said that,
because Ireland's small armed forces are feeling the strain
of several foreign missions in which Irish troops are serving
(especially Chad, Bosnia and Kosovo),it is unlikely that
Ireland will increase the number of troops it is contributing
in Afghanistan (currently, Ireland has seven troops in
non-combat roles at ISAF headquarters). Donoghue said he was
quite certain, however, that the number of troops would not
be cut.
DUBLIN 00000510 002.2 OF 002
5. (S) Our interlocutors all stressed that Ireland recognizes
the importance of success in Afghanistan, and that, despite
budget constraints, Ireland will continue to participate in
international efforts there.
FAUCHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2029
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF EI
SUBJECT: IRELAND ON ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
REF: A. HUIZINGA-HACKWORTH E-MAIL 11/25/09
B. STATE 120807
C. DUBLIN 360
DUBLIN 00000510 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert J. Faucher. Reasons 1.4(b/d).
1. (S) SUMMARY: On November 27, Charge discussed the
possibility of additional Irish contributions in Afghanistan
with David Donoghue, Political Director in the Irish
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). This underscored a
November 25 meeting of POLOFF with Isolde Moylan, Director of
the Asia and Oceania Bureau in the DFA, and Peter McIvor, the
Bureau's Deputy Director. Our interlocutors reiterated
Ireland,s continued desire to stay involved in ISAF and
support the mission in Afghanistan. While constrained by
upcoming budget cuts, they said they would explore
possibilities of increasing Ireland's contribution. END
SUMMARY.
2. (S) We stressed that the U.S. was hoping to see strong
public support for the U.S. strategy once it is announced,
and that the U.S. is prepared to commit significant
additional resources to the mission in Afghanistan. We said
that increased contributions from Ireland would help
underline Ireland's role as a partner in this international
effort. We added that the announcement of a concrete Irish
contribution, at the December 7 ISAF Force Generation
conference if feasible, would be greatly appreciated.
--------------
BUDGET IS TIGHT
--------------
3. (S) Our interlocutors said that, while the DFA favors
Ireland,s increasing its contribution where possible, the
need to reduce Ireland's ballooning budget deficit (ref C)
was a considerable constraint on any new spending. With
voters suffering in the current economic downturn and every
government department facing cuts in next year's budget (to
be presented on December 9),it would be difficult to find
personnel and resources to do more in Afghanistan than what
Ireland is currently doing.
--------------
POSSIBLY MORE TRAINERS, ODA
--------------
4. (S) Donoghue told us the DFA was consulting with the Irish
Department of Justice on the possibility of sending a limited
number of police trainers to Afghanistan under the EU's EUPOL
police training mission. Also, Donoghue said he would push
Irish Aid to see if more development assistance could be
announced by the time of the December 7 ISAF Force Generation
conference or thereafter. (NOTE: Ireland,s total
Afghanistan assistance over the past few years has been
around 20 million euros. END NOTE.) Donoghue said that,
because Ireland's small armed forces are feeling the strain
of several foreign missions in which Irish troops are serving
(especially Chad, Bosnia and Kosovo),it is unlikely that
Ireland will increase the number of troops it is contributing
in Afghanistan (currently, Ireland has seven troops in
non-combat roles at ISAF headquarters). Donoghue said he was
quite certain, however, that the number of troops would not
be cut.
DUBLIN 00000510 002.2 OF 002
5. (S) Our interlocutors all stressed that Ireland recognizes
the importance of success in Afghanistan, and that, despite
budget constraints, Ireland will continue to participate in
international efforts there.
FAUCHER