VZCZCXYZ0012
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDL #0103/01 0401303
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 091303Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7944
INFO RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000103 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2017 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EUN KPAL IE
SUBJECT: IRELAND'S VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THE FEBRUARY 12-13 
GAERC 
 
REF: A. STATE 15811 
 
     ¶B. EUR/ERA E-MAIL OF 02/05/2007 
     ¶C. STATE 13840 
     ¶D. STATE 12957 
     ¶E. STATE 14071 
     ¶F. STATE 13880 
     ¶G. DUBLIN 58 
 
Classified By: Embassy Dublin Pol/Econ Chief Joe Young 
for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU) POLOFF delivered demarches (Refs C through F) on 
February 8 to Pat Kelly, European Correspondent, Department 
of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Jim Kelly, Director, Europe 
Office, Political Division, DFA.  Ireland is generally in 
agreement with U.S. positions on the Balkans, 
Israel/Palestine, Afghanistan, Somalia and Darfur.  However, 
while Ireland intends to robustly implement UNSCR 1737 as 
converted into regulations by the EU, it remains committed to 
ongoing dialogue with Iran.  End summary. 
 
KOSOVO 
------ 
 
¶2.  (U) Demarche reported septel (Refs C and D). 
 
SERBIA 
------ 
 
¶3.  (C) Ireland agrees the EU should encourage Serbia to 
pursue its EU integration aspirations.  It supports the 
formation of a reform government that will cooperate fully 
with ICTY.  Ireland generally sees nothing to be gained by 
delay in the process of consultation and negotiation on 
Kosovo.  However, Jim Kelly pointed out that waiting a few 
additional days for a compelling reason -- say for the 
Serbian Parliament to be formed so the negotiating team could 
be appointed by the Parliament -- would make sense (septel). 
 
 
BOSNIA 
------ 
 
¶4.  (C) Ireland agrees that U.S. and EU unity and engagement 
need to be maintained.  Pat Kelly said that the scheduled 
disbanding of the Office of the High Representative on June 
30 should be reconsidered if it is agreed that the job is not 
yet finished at that time. 
 
ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN ISSUES 
-------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Ireland is encouraged by the Saudi-brokered accord 
reached between Hamas and Fatah in Mecca on February 8, 
seeing it as progress toward an eventual two-state 
settlement.  Ireland is fully committed to the EU's Quartet 
role, including the Temporary International Mechanism. 
 
IRAN 
---- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Ireland continues to support the EU "twin-track" 
approach.  Kelly noted that the EU is currently converting 
UNSCR 1737 into EU regulations, which Ireland will rigorously 
implement (track one), including whatever sanctions the EU 
applies to specific businesses or individuals, e.g., Bank 
Sepah (Refs C and E.)  However, Ireland still holds out hope 
for continued dialogue with Iran (track two), believing that 
international consensus delivered through diplomacy will help 
bring Iran's actions into compliance with international 
expectations. 
 
AFGHANISTAN 
----------- 
 
¶7.  (C) Ireland fully endorses the EU's plan to undertake a 
police training mission and is currently contributing seven 
troops to ISAF in Afghanistan (Refs C, F, and G).  (Note: The 
Irish Department of Defense has decided to maintain its troop 
level in Afghanistan at seven soldiers, vice eight as 
reported Ref G.  Rotation of two troops to other duties 
within Afghanistan is planned.  End note.) 
 
SUDAN/DARFUR 
------------ 
 
¶8.  (U) Ireland supports coordinated efforts through the UN 
to implement all phases of the UN SYG's plan for 
UN-controlled peacekeeping in Darfur.  (Comment: Ireland will 
almost certainly support any other measures agreed through UN 
mechanisms.  End Comment.) 
 
SOMALIA 
------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) Ireland fully agrees with the EU decision to 
allocate euro 15 million to the African Peace Facility (APF) 
and agrees that additional EU funding will be needed, though 
close coordination among Contact Group members will be 
required to ascertain the appropriate level of additional 
support.  EU officials are currently working on mechanisms to 
enable the APF funds to be released.  However, release of 
these funds will depend, in part, on how quickly the African 
Union can organize the deployment of a stabilization force. 
 
WTO/DOHA 
-------- 
 
¶10.  (U) Response from demarche at the Department of Trade 
will be sent septel.  Ref A papers were left with DFA. 
 
COOPERATION COUNCIL MEETING WITH KAZAKHSTAN 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶11.  (SBU) Pat Kelly took on board the U.S. position on the 
Cooperation Council meeting with Kazakhstan (Ref B). 
 
FOLEY