VZCZCXRO5968
PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHDL #0632 1531221
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 021221Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7027
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0138
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0020

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000632 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV IE IR
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND SUPPORTS U.S. STATEMENT ON 
IRAN 
 
REF: SECSTATE 87682 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Jonathan S. Benton for reasons 1 
.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (C)  Due to the unavailability of the Taoiseach (Prime 
Minister) and Foreign Minister Ahern, Ambassador delivered 
reftel points to Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary 
General Dermot Gallagher early on June 1.  DCM followed up 
later in the day, and working levels were also engaged. 
Gallagher was grateful for our message and supportive of the 
Secretary's announcement. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
¶2.  (C)  Late in the day on June 1, Gallagher informed us of 
the Irish government's press release on the subject issued 
during the day.  He said there had been full and immediate 
agreement from the Taoiseach to support our initiative, even 
as the Iranians appeared to be rejecting it.  He added that 
his government would look for ways to encourage the Iranians 
to do the right thing.  Text of the Irish statement follows 
below: 
 
Begin text. 
 
Minister Ahern Welcomes U.S. Offer of Direct Talks with Iran 
 
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, TD, has 
welcomed the U.S. government's indication of its willingness 
to enter into direct dialogue with Iran provided it ceases 
uranium enrichment activities. 
 
The Minister said: 
 
"I welcome this imaginative and potentially significant move 
by the United States. 
 
It has become increasingly clear that direct U.S. dialogue 
with Iran, in particular as regards regional security issues, 
could be very valuable in reaching a diplomatic solution on 
the Iranian nuclear dispute.  To that end, I regard 
yesterday's move by the U.S. as important and helpful." 
 
End text. 
KENNY