US embassy cable - 05DUBLIN104

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000104 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KPAO 
SUBJECT: IRAQ: IRELAND ISSUES POSITIVE STATEMENT ON 
ELECTIONS 
 
REF: A. DUBLIN 0088 
     B. STATE 12757 
     C. STATE 6458 
 
Classified By: DCM Jonathan Benton for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) On January 27 the Irish Government issued a very 
helpful statement on Iraq's elections (para 2), reversing 
their earlier reluctance to do so (reftel A).  Embassy had 
launched a full court press, with Ambassador, DCM, Pol/Econ 
Chief, and PAO raising multiple times with the Prime 
Minister's office, DFA and Parliament.  A GOI official said 
our case proved persuasive. 
 
2. (U) Begin Text of Irish Government Statement. 
 
January 27, 2005 
Minister Ahern pledges support for Iraqi elections. 
 
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D., 
today pledged Ireland's support for the elections being held 
in Iraq on Sunday, 30 January. 
 
"The holding of elections for a Transitional National 
Assembly is the next critical step in the process for the 
political reconstruction of Iraq laid down in UN Security 
Council Resolution 1546.  The Assembly will negotiate a new 
Iraqi Constitution, and will elect a new Transitional Iraqi 
Government.  Whatever differences there may have been 
regarding the invasion of Iraq, everybody who believes in 
democracy must wish to see the Iraqi people take control of 
their own destiny through the ballot box. 
 
I am very concerned that the continuing violence may make it 
very difficult for people to vote in some areas of Iraq, 
although all reports and polls indicate that the majority of 
Iraqis would wish to take part in the elections, if they 
could. It is clear that insurgent attacks are being targeted 
increasingly at Iraqi security forces and election officials, 
in an attempt to prevent elections taking place, and at 
ordinary Iraqi citizens, to try and provoke civil strife. 
This is something to which no-one who believes in democracy 
can remain indifferent. 
 
I commend all those Iraqis ) election officials, police and 
ordinary voters ) who refuse to bow to this intimidation, 
and exercise their right to elect representatives of their 
choice. 
The Government hopes that the elections in Iraq are able to 
proceed in as peaceful an atmosphere as possible, and that 
Iraqis take this opportunity to come out and vote in these 
elections which are crucial to the future of their country. 
These elections should mark an important step towards the 
establishment of democracy and the rule of law in Iraq. 
Hopefully, the day will not be long delayed when elections in 
Iraq take place in a peaceful atmosphere, with the full and 
unhindered participation of all citizens and all political 
parties, representing all communities." 
 
End Text 
KENNY