(C/NF) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON IRISH LISBON

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 099791

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2034
TAGS: PINR PGOV EI
SUBJECT: (C/NF) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON IRISH LISBON
TREATY REFERENDUM (C-RE9-02014)

REF: 09 DUBLIN 00362

Classified By: MICHAEL P. OWENS, ACTING DIR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (C/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS APPRECIATED REFTEL ON THE
PLAYERS AND FACTORS AFFECTING POTENTIAL RATIFICATION OF THE
LISBON TREATY IN THE PLANNED OCTOBER 2009 REFERENDUM.
EMBASSY INSIGHTS WERE VERY USEFUL, ESPECIALLY AS THEY
PROVIDED MORE CLARITY ABOUT FLUCTUATING POLL NUMBERS, THE
CURRENT IRISH GOVERNMENT'S UNPOPULARITY, AND IMPLICATIONS OF
THE TREATY'S PASSAGE OR FAILURE FOR THE EU. ANALYSTS WOULD
APPRECIATE ANY ADDITIONAL REPORTING ON THIS SUBJECT,
ESPECIALLY OBSERVATIONS OR ANECDOTAL VIEWS ABOUT THE
REFERENDUM, AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT.


A. (C/NF) HOW ARE THE "YES" AND "NO" CAMPAIGNS ATTEMPTING
TO SWAY UNDECIDED VOTERS, AND HOW OPTIMISTIC IS EITHER CAMP
CONCERNING THEIR CHANCES FOR SUCCESS?


B. (C/NF) DOES POST BELIEVE THE "NO" CAMPAIGN'S ARGUMENT
THAT REJECTING THE TREATY IS A WAY TO EXPRESS DISPLEASURE
WITH COWEN'S GOVERNMENT, AND HAVE IRISH OFFICIALS BEEN
APPROACHED BY EU OFFICIALS IN BRUSSELS OR OTHER PROMIENNT
EUROPEAN LEADERS OR DIPLOMATS WITH CONCERNS OR WORRIES ABOUT
THE OUTCOME OF THE REFERENDUM?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-RE9-02014 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON