US embassy cable - 05DUBLIN193

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000193 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2014 
TAGS: ETTC, PTER, EFIN, EUN 
SUBJECT: IRELAND WANTS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT HIZBALLAH 
DESIGNATION 
 
REF: STATE 26062 
 
Classified By: ACTING POL/ECON CHIEF JOE YOUNG, 
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B), (D) 
 
(C)  On February 14, Emboff delivered reftel points to First 
Secretary Maurice Biggar and Third Secretary Eoin Duggan of 
 
SIPDIS 
International Terrorism and Illicit Drugs/UN Desk, and Paul 
Gunning, Deputy Regional Director, Gulf and North Africa Desk 
at the DFA.  Biggar and Gunning said that EU Member States 
are conducting an ongoing dialogue regarding the potential 
designation of Hizballah as a terrorist organization.  Biggar 
and Gunning appeared uncomfortable discussing the subject and 
declined to forecast how Ireland would approach the February 
16 EU Clearinghouse.  Biggar, who will attend the 
Clearinghouse, said that Ireland will cast its vote for 
designation only if Hizballah meets all of the criteria set 
forth in Common Position 931.  Gunning said the vote will be 
cast based on clear evidence of Hizballah involvement in 
terrorism, and to be unanimous, the EU member states need 
more than just the assertions of guilt they are receiving 
from the United States and Israel. 
BENTON