US embassy cable - 05DUBLIN914

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000914 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, OTRA, KSEP, UNGA 
SUBJECT: G-4 PROPOSAL: IRISH TO DELAY DECISION UNTIL UNGA 
VOTE 
 
REF: A. STATE 132429 
 
     B. DUBLIN 884 
 
On July 21, Post delivered ref A demarche to Julian Clare and 
Eoin Duggan, First and Third Secretaries, respectively, in 
the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) United Nations 
Section.  Clare said that the GOI had not taken a position on 
the G-4 proposal for UNSC expansion and would not likely do 
so until immediately before a General Assembly vote, with 
Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Bertie Ahern and Foreign Minister 
Dermot Ahern having the final say.  Ireland concurs with U.S. 
views that measures to reform the UNSC should enjoy 
international legitimacy and enhance the body's 
effectiveness.  The GOI also favors the criteria for new UNSC 
membership outlined in reftel.  Ireland, however, has not 
committed to any model for Security Council expansion, 
despite lobbying by representatives of G-4 countries and the 
Uniting for Consensus group.  Clare noted that Ireland had 
"self-consciously" avoided a position on the G-4 proposal, 
since the GOI did not want to compromise Foreign Minister 
Ahern's position as one of five regional envoys appointed by 
UNSYG Kofi Annan to promote UN reform.  (Other DFA officials 
have made the same point to Emboffs, per ref B.)  According 
to Clare, Foreign Minister Ahern had stressed in his regional 
consultations that Security Council reform was important, but 
should not overshadow or delay other required UN reforms. 
BENTON