Viewing cable 01VATICAN3507, THE VATICAN-- THE SUPRANATIONAL POWER
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01VATICAN3507 | 2001-07-03 12:12 | 2010-12-10 21:09 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Vatican |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of
the original cable is not available.
Tuesday, 03 July 2001, 12:03 C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 VATICAN 003507 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/WE, PD/ECA (SEXTON), WHITE HOUSE FOR JOSEPH HAGIN, BRADLEY BLAKEMAN AND MARY HAINES, PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR AMB. FREID EMBASSY VATICAN MESSAGE NO. 107/01 EO 12958 DECL: 07/02/11 TAGS PREL, PHUM, IS, EG, CH, ID, PHUM, IS, EG, CH, ID, PHUM, IS, EG,
CH, ID, PHUM, IS, EG, CH, ID, VT, VTPREL, VTPREL, VTPREL SUBJECT: THE VATICAN-- THE SUPRANATIONAL POWER REF: 00 ROME 0988 ¶1. (U) CLASSIFIED BY CDA JOSEPH MERANTE FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D).
CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 VATICA 03507 01 OF 04 031719Z BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION --------------------------- ¶2. (U) THIS CABLE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR
THE PLANNED PRESIDENTIAL MEETING WITH THE POPE. IT UPDATES REFTEL,
OUTLINING ASPECTS OF THE USG- HOLY SEE RELATIONSHIP THAT WE
BELIEVE WILL REQUIRE U.S. ATTENTION IN THE NEAR AND MIDTERM.
THE MIDDLE EAST WILL FEATURE PROMINENTLY. IN ASIA, VATICAN
PRIORITIES WILL REMAIN FOCUSED ON CHINA, TAIWAN, VIETNAM AND
INDONESIA/EAST TIMOR. THE VATICAN IS INVOLVED IN MEDIATING
AFRICA’S GREAT LAKES CONFLICT, WHILE CUBA LOOMS LARGE AMONG
VATICAN INTERESTS IN LATIN AMERICA. THIS CABLE IDENTIFIES AREAS
IN WHICH THE U.S. AND THE VATICAN SHARE INTERESTS, AND AREAS IN
WHICH THERE ARE POLICY DIFFERENCES. ¶3. (U) BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION (CONT’D): THE HOLY SEE IS A
SUPRANATIONAL ENTITY THAT HAS ITS CAPITAL AND TERRITORIAL
MANIFESTATION IN THE STATE OF VATICAN CITY. THE UNITED STATES
BASED ITS 1984 RECOGNITION OF THE HOLY SEE IN PART ON THE FACT
THAT THE HOLY SEE EXERCISES SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE 109 ACRES OF
THE VATICAN CITY STATE. HOWEER ALL AMBASSADORS TO THE HOLY SEE,
INCLUDING THE U.S. AMBASSADOR, ARE ACCREDITED TO THE HOLY SEE AN
NOT/NOT TO THE STATE OF VATICAN CITY. THE VATIAN INSISTS ON THIS
POINT TO REMIND THAT ITS REAC AND INTERNATIONAL PERSONALITY IS
GLOBAL. FOR PRPOSES OF THIS CABLE, THE TERMS HOLY SEE AND
VATICAN WILL BE USED INTERCHANGEABLY. CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 VATICA 03507 01 OF 04 031719Z ¶4. (U) BACKGOUND AND INTRODUCTION (CONT’D): THE HOLY SEE ISONE
OF THE OLDEST CONTINUALLY EXISTING INTERNATINAL ENTITIES.
IT EXERCISED TEMPORAL CONTROL OF TE ITAIAN PENINSULA DURING
THE MIDDLE AGES, BUT WAS COMPLETELY BEREFT OF TERRITORY BETWEEN
1870 AND 1929. NEVERTHELESS, EVEN DURING THIS PERIOD, MOST
NATIONS CONTINUED TO RECOGNIZE THE IT AS AN INTERNATIONAL ENTITY
AND MAINTAINED FULL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. ¶5. (U) BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION (CONT’D): THE VATICAN IS ONE
OF VERY FEW SOVEREIGN ENTITIES THAT HAVE PRESENCE AND REACH IN
VIRTUALLY EVERY COUNTRY OF THE WORLD. ALTHOUGH ITS SOVEREIGNTY
IS OVER LIMITED TERRITORY, VATICAN TEACHING AND POLICIES CAN
INFLUENCE THE OVER ONE BILLION ADHERENTS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC
CHURCH. END BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION. DEVELOPING POLICY TOWARD THE HOLY SEE ------------------------------------- ¶6. (C) IN DEVELOPING U.S. POLICY VIS-A-VIS THIS UNIQUE ENTITY,
POLICYMAKERS SHOULD THINK OF THE HOLY SEE AS SIMILAR TO A
TRADITIONAL NATION-STATE, WITH A VARIETY OF FACTORS INFORMING
ITS FOREIGN POLICY. THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN ITS
FOREIGN POLICY DECISION MAKING INCLUDE: -- RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES/HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS: THE VATICAN
STRIVES TO TRANSLATE ITS RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND ITS HUMANITARIAN
CONCERNS INTO CONCRETE POLICIES. CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 VATICA 03507 01 OF 04 031719Z FOREIGN POLICY INITIATIVES
BASED ON THESE PRINCIPLES INCLUDE: SUPPORT FOR THIRD WORLD
DEVELOPMENT AND DEBT RELIEF FOR POORER COUNTRIES, OPPOSITION TO
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, OPPOSITION TO ABORTION AND CONTRACEPTION,
AND OPPOSITION (ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS) TO EMBARGOES; -- “NATIONAL” SELF-INTEREST: THE HOLY SEE SEEKS TO PROTECT
CATHOLICS AROUND THE WORLD, ITS OWN POSITION OF INFLUENCE,
AND ITS VAST WEALTH. THE VATICAN’S SUPPORT OF SADDAM HUSSEIN
RESULTS FROM ITS DESIRE TO PROTECT 600,000 IRAQI CATHOLICS FROM
ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM; ITS REFUSAL TO PUBLICLY CRITICIZE CROAT
NATIONALIST CLERGY IN BOSNIA STEMS IN PART FROM THE CROAT CHURCH’S
STAUNCH DEFENSE OF THE FAITH DURING THE COLD WAR; -- HISTORY/TRADITION: RELATIONS BETWEEN THE HOLY SEE AND SPAIN,
PORTUGAL, AND OTHER LATIN COUNTRIES GO BACK OVER 500 YEARS.
THE VATICAN’S HISTORICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THESE COUNTRIES
FREQUENTLY DEMANDS AN ACTIVE FOREIGN POLICY ROLE; -- PROSELYTISM: THE VATICAN KNOWS THAT IT MUST CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTQ8384 PAGE 01 VATICA 03507 02 OF 04 031715Z ACTION ECA-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00
DS-00 EUR-00 FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 VCE-00 NSAE-00 SSO-00
SS-00 SNIS-00 NISC-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /002W
------------------00B3A7 031716Z /38 O 031203Z JUL 01 FM
AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0000 WHITEHOUSE
WASHDC IMMEDIATE C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 VATICAN 003507 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/WE, PD/ECA (SEXTON), WHITE HOUSE FOR JOSEPH HAGIN,
BRADLEY BLAKEMAN AND MARY HAINES, PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR AMB. FREID EMBASSY VATICAN MESSAGE NO. 107/01 E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/11 TAGS: PREL PHUM IS EG CH ID PHUM IS EG CH ID PHUM IS EG CH ID PHUM
IS EG CH ID VT VTPREL VTPREL VTPREL SUBJECT: THE VATICAN-- THE SUPRANATIONAL POWER CONTINUALLY REFRESH ITS MESSAGE FOR CHANGING TIMES. VATICAN II IN
THE 1960S WAS AN EXAMPLE. INTERFAITH AND ECUMENICAL OUTREACH IS AN
IMPORTANT FOCUS OF THE CURRENT PAPACY, AND PROSELYTISM/POPULATION
GROWTH IN THE THIRD CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 VATICA 03507 02 OF 04 031715Z WORLD ACCOUNTS FOR MUCH OF
THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH IN RECENT YEARS. ¶7. (C) PAPAL HEALTH/SUCCESSION AND WHAT IT MIGHT MEAN FOR U.S.
POLICY: POPE JOHN PAUL II IS SURELY THE MOST WIDELY RECOGNIZED
WORLD LEADER. ALONG WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, HE
ENJOYS THE HIGHEST STATURE AND PROFILE AMONG WORLD LEADERS.
IN EARLY 2000, PRESS MISREPRESENTATION OF A GERMAN BISHOP’S REMARKS
IN THE POPE JOHN PAUL II’S ABILITY TO CONTINUE IN OFFICE, SPARKED
A SERIES OF SPECULATIONS AROUND THE WORLD ABOUT SUCCESSION. THE POPE
AND THE VATICAN STRONGLY DENIED THAT HIS CONDITION WAS SERIOUS
ENOUGH TO WARRANT ABDICATION. THERE IS LITTLE SUPPORT FOR THE
IDEA THAT THE POPE WOULD IN FACT RESIGN EVEN IF HIS HEALTH WERE
TO DECLINE PRECIPITOUSLY. THE LIST OF CARDINALS WIDELY PERCEIVED
AS POTENTIAL SUCCESSORS DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY AMERICANS, AND ONLY
ONE ANGLOPHONE. AN ELECTION OF A EUROPEAN CARDINAL (MOST LIKELY
AN ITALIAN) WOULD PROBABLY RESULT IN ONLY MINOR CHANGES IN
VATICAN POLICY AND ITS CURRENT STANCE ON ISSUES VIS A VIS THE
UNITED STATES. IF THE NEXT POPE IS FROM LATIN AMERICA, ASIA,
OR AFRICA, WE SHOULD EXPECT THE VATICAN TO TAKE POSITIONS FURTHER
TO THE “LEFT OF CURRENT U.S. POSITIONS ON ECONOMIC ISSUES, BUT
FURTHER “RIGHT” ON SOCIAL ISSUES. MIDDLE EAST ----------- ¶8. (C) MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS (MEPP): THE HOLY SEE DENIES
WANTING TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 VATICA 03507 02 OF 04 031715Z ASPECTS OF THE MEPP,
ALTHOUGH IT REMAINS KEENLY INTERESTED IN WHAT IT TERMS THE
“CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS” ASPECTS OF THE HOLY SITES IN THE
REGION (SPECIFICALLY JERUSALEM). THE VATICAN MAINTAINS THAT
ITS CONCERNS HAVE BEEN LARGELY IGNORED BY THE USG AND THE
ISRAELIS, AND IN 1999 WORKED WITH THE FRENCH AND SEVERAL
OTHER EU COUNTRIES IN THE “JERUSALEM WORKING GROUP”
(JWG -- SINCE INACTIVE). ¶9. (C) THE VATICAN WAS CLEARLY DISAPPOINTED WHEN THE USG
AND GOI DECLINED TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE JWG INITIATIVE.
THE GOI’S DECISION TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF THE NAZARETH
MOSQUE CREATED ALARM (AND IN SOME CASES, RESENTMENT) AT THE
VATICAN. THE GOI FOR ITS PART WAS CONCERNED THAT THE POPE LEFT
UNANSWERED BASHIR ASSAD’S ANTI-SEMITIC INVECTIVE DURING THE
POPE’S MAY 2001 SYRIA VISIT. WE CAN EXPECT CONTINUED TENSION
IN THESE AREAS. THE HOLY SEE WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK TO PLAY A
ROLE IN THE MEPP, WHILE DENYING THIS INTENTION. EMBASSY VATICAN
CONTINUES TO RECOMMEND A HIGH LEVEL VISIT TO ENCOURAGE THE
VATICAN TO PLAY A MORE CONSTRUCTIVE, OR AT LEAST LESS UNHELPFUL,
ROLE IN THE PROCESS. ASIA ---- ¶10. (C) THE VATICAN AND THE U.S. SHARE INTERESTS IN MANY OF THE
SAME COUNTRIES (E.G. INDONESIA, CHINA, TAIWAN, VIETNAM), BUT
NOT ALWAYS FOR THE SAME REASONS. IN ADDITION TO THE FORMAL
CHURCH NETWORK NUMEROUS, OFTEN SEMI-AUTONOMOUS, CATHOLIC
MISSIONARY ORGANIZATIONS CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 VATICA 03507 02 OF 04 031715Z OPERATING THROUGHOUT
ASIA HAVE A SOPHISTICATED UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS HAPPENING
IN THEIR AREA. CONTACT WITH THESE MISSIONARY ORGANIZATIONS
PROVIDES UNIQUE INSIGHTS INTO CONDITIONS IN THESE COUNTRIES.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH IN ASIA IS AN EXPRESS
GOAL OF THE CHURCH. THE VATICAN AND ITS CONSTITUENT EPISCOPATES
ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN DIALOGUES WITH POLITICALLY POWERFUL
MUSLIM AND CHRISTIAN ORTHODOX FAITHS. THE RESULTS OF THESE
DIALOGUES WILL IMPACT PROSPECTS FOR DEMOCRACY, STABILITY,
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES. ¶11. (C) CHINA: WITH ITS OWN NETWORK OF CONTACTS AMONG CHINA’S
UNDERGROUND AND PATRIOTIC CHURCHES, THE HOLY SEE HAS EXCELLENT
SOURCES OF INFORMATION REGARDING DISSIDENTS, HUMAN RIGHTS,
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER THE POPULATION.
THERE IS A CONSTANT CONTROVERSY AROUND THE EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. THIS ISSUE
INVOLVES THE VATICAN’S RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN AND CHINESE
GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICE. BEIJING’S REGULATION
AND OFTEN OPPRESSION OF THE CATHOLIC CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTQ8394 PAGE 01 VATICA 03507 03 OF 04 031721Z ACTION ECA-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00
DS-00 EUR-00 FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00
DCP-01 NSAE-00 SSO-00 SS-00 SNIS-00 NISC-00 DSCC-00
DRL-02 SAS-00 /003W ------------------00B442 031721Z /
38 O 031203Z JUL 01 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC
IMMEDIATE 0000 WHITEHOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 VATICAN 003507 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/WE, PD/ECA (SEXTON), WHITE HOUSE FOR JOSEPH
HAGIN, BRADLEY BLAKEMAN AND MARY HAINES, PLEASE PASS TO
NSC FOR AMB. FREID EMBASSY VATICAN MESSAGE NO. 107/01 E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/11 TAGS: PREL PHUM IS EG CH ID PHUM IS EG CH ID PHUM IS EG CH
ID PHUM IS EG CH ID VT VTPREL VTPREL VTPREL SUBJECT: THE VATICAN-- THE SUPRANATIONAL POWER CHURCH IS PARALLEL TO AND THEREFORE A WINDOW ON PROBLEMS IN
CHINA WITH U.S.-BASED PROTESTANT CHURCHES AS WELL AS ISLAM
AND BUDDHISM. THE CENTRALIZED STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH AND
THE REPORTING SYSTEM WITH THE NUNCIOS AND CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 VATICA 03507 03 OF 04 031721Z BISHOPS, NOT TO MENTION
INDEPENDENT MISSIONARY GROUPS, GIVES EMBASSY VATICAN A UNIQUE
VIEW OF EVENTS INSIDE CHINA. ¶12. (C) VIETNAM: UNOFFICIAL DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE BETWEEN
VIETNAM AND THE VATICAN ON ESTABLISHING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.
THE GOV’S ATTEMPT TO CONTROL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IS ONE OF
THE MAIN STUMBLING BLOCKS FROM A VATICAN PERSPECTIVE. THE
VATICAN’S ATTEMPTS TO APPOINT BISHOPS WITH MINIMAL GOVERNMENT
INTERFERENCE AND THE REPORTING PROVIDED BY ITS NUNCIO ON THESE
EFFORTS CAN BE USED AS A GAUGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM ISSUES IN VIETNAM. ¶13. (C) INDIA: INDIA HAS SEEN SIGNIFICANT SECTARIAN VIOLENCE
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, AS MUCH AGAINST MUSLIMS AS CHRISTIANS.
RESOLUTION OF THIS VIOLENCE IS A KEY TO DEMOCRACY, STABILITY
AND THE GUARANTEE OF HUMAN RIGHTS. THE VATICAN, LOCAL BISHOPS
WHO REPORT TO THE VATICAN, AND VARIOUS MISSIONARY ORGANIZATIONS
WILL ALL CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE OBSERVERS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
AND DEVELOPMENTS. ¶14. (C) INDONESIA: EAST TIMOR IS POISED TO BECOME THE SECOND
CATHOLIC COUNTRY IN ASIA (THE OTHER IS THE PHILIPPINES).
THE VATICAN, THROUGH ITS BISHOPS, HAS BEEN DEEPLY INVOLVED
IN RECONCILIATION EFFORTS FOR YEARS. THE VATICAN IS INVOLVED
IN RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS IN EAST TIMOR. IN OTHER PARTS OF
INDONESIA WRACKED BY SECTARIAN VIOLENCE, THE CATHOLIC PRESENCE
IS LESS PRONOUNCED, BUT CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES PROVIDE INFORMATION
ON THE SITUATION. CATHOLIC PRELATES HAVE ALSO ACTED AS CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 VATICA 03507 03 OF 04 031721Z MEDIATORS BETWEEN OTHER
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES AND MUSLIM GROUPS. VISITS OF THE INDONESIAN
FOREIGN MINISTER AND PRESIDENT TO THE VATICAN UNDERSCORE THE
INFLUENCE THE VATICAN HAS ON A COUNTRY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICY
INTEREST TO THE USG. ¶15. (C) NORTH KOREA: VATICAN OFFICIALS, AND CATHOLIC RELIEF
ORGANIZATIONS PERIODICALLY VISIT NORTH KOREA. WE LEARN FROM
THEIR VISITS AND WE CAN GIVE SUGGESTIONS TO OUR CONTACTS FOR
POINTS TO RAISE WITH NORTH KOREAN OFFICIALS. AFRICA ------ ¶16. (C) GREAT LAKES: VATICAN CONTACTS ADMIT PRIVATELY THAT
CHURCH RELATIONS WITH LATE DROC PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA BEGAN
ON THE WRONG FOOT BECAUSE OF KABILA’S MINDSET AND THE CHURCH’S
PREVIOUS ASSOCIATION WITH THE MOBUTU REGIME. REAL HUMANITARIAN
CONCERNS AND RELIGIOUS (EVANGELIZATION) CONSIDERATIONS PUT
AFRICA ON THE SCREEN AT THE VATICAN. THE VATICAN AFFILIATED
SANT’EGIDIO COMMUNITY PLAYS AN IMPORTANT SUPPORTING ROLE IN
INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO MEDIATE THE CRISIS, KEEPING THE VATICAN
INFORMED OF THEIR EFFORTS. LATIN AMERICA ------------- ¶17. (C) CUBA: THE POPE’S 1998 VISIT TO CUBA HAS NOT BROUGHT
THE KIND OF PROGRESS ON CHURCH FREEDOM SOUGHT BY CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 VATICA 03507 03 OF 04 031721Z THE POPE. THAT SAID,
VATICAN-GOC DIALOGUE HAS CONTINUED WITH FOLLOW-UP VISITS TO
CUBA BY SENIOR VATICAN OFFICIALS -- AND TO THE VATICAN BY
CUBAN COUNTERPARTS. AMONG THE TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: THE GOC’S
TREATMENT OF THE CUBAN CHURCH, THE STATUS OF DISSIDENTS, AND
THE EFFECTS OF THE U.S. EMBARGO, ABOUT WHICH THE HOLY SEE
SHARES CASTRO’S CRITICISM. THE VATICAN IS QUIETLY LOOKING AHEAD
TO THE DAY WHEN FIDEL CASTRO DEPARTS THE SCENE. IT IS CONCERNED
HOWEVER, THAT HIS REPLACEMENT CAN ACTUALLY BE WORSE. EUROPE ------ ¶18. (C) THE VATICAN WOULD LIKE TO SEE A UNIFIED, CHRISTIAN
(IE. CATHOLIC) EUROPE. AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO
INTENSIFY ITS DIALOG WITH THE LEADING PROTESTANT GROUPS IN
GERMANY AND SCANDINAVIA. THE VATICAN WILL ALSO CONTINUE
ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE THE RUSSIAN CHURCH AND THE ECUMENICAL
PATRIARCH IN ISTANBUL IN AN ATTEMPT TO HEAL THE LATIN/
ORTHODOX RIFT. VATICAN INVOLVEMENT IN THE BALKANS CAN BE
USEFUL TO U.S. POLICY IF IT IS DIRECTED AT PROMOTING CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTQ8397 PAGE 01 VATICA 03507 04 OF 04 031723Z ACTION ECA-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00
DS-00 EUR-00 FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00
VCE-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00 SSO-00 SS-00 SNIS-00 NISC-00
DSCC-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /003W ------------------00B486
031723Z /38 O 031203Z JUL 01 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO
SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0000 WHITEHOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 VATICAN 003507 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/WE, PD/ECA (SEXTON), WHITE HOUSE FOR JOSEPH
HAGIN, BRADLEY BLAKEMAN AND MARY HAINES, PLEASE PASS TO
NSC FOR AMB. FREID EMBASSY VATICAN MESSAGE NO. 107/01 E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/11 TAGS: PREL PHUM IS EG CH ID PHUM IS EG CH ID PHUM IS EG
CH ID PHUM IS EG CH ID VT VTPREL VTPREL VTPREL SUBJECT: THE VATICAN-- THE SUPRANATIONAL POWER COEXISTENCE. CONTINUED VATICAN CRITICISM OF “U.S.
MATERIALISM AND COMMERCIALISM” COULD BE USED BY MANY
IN EUROPE TO SUPPORT ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF LIMITING U.S.
INFLUENCE AND ACTIVITY ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT.
CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 VATICA 03507 04 OF 04 031723Z ¶19. (C) AREAS IN WHICH WE CAN WORK CONSTRUCTIVELY WITH
THE VATICAN DURING THE NEXT 12 MONTHS: -- ETHNIC RECONCILIATION AND CIVIL CULTURE - IN JUNE,
PD/ECA DAS BRIAN SEXTON MET WITH VATICAN AND SANT’EGIDIO
OFFICIALS DURING A PD/ECA SPONSORED INTER-RELIGIOUS
CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. EMBASSY VATICAN, WITH
DEPARTMENT GUIDANCE, IS SEEKING TO DEVELOP FOLLOW-UP PROJECTS; -- ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS -- POST HAS DEVELOPED TWO
PROJECTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH CARITAS (THE VATICAN RELIEF NGO)
AND WITH THE ARCHBISHOP OF PESCARA. THESE PROJECTS WILL
OFFER EDUCATION, RESCUE, REHABILITATION, AND REPATRIATION
TO VICTIMS AND POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKERS.
WORKING WITH THE CURIA AND CARITAS THERE IS MUCH MORE
GROUND TO BE COVERED IN THIS AREA IN THE NEAR FUTURE. -- BIOTECHNOLOGY AND AGRICULTURAL TRADE -- EMBASSY VATICAN
HAS SPONSORED TWO DISCUSSIONS OF THIS THEME INVOLVING
SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS ATTACHED TO THE VATICAN. PROMOTING A
MORE POSITIVE VATICAN APPROACH TO APPROPRIATE USE OF GMOS
IN THIRD WORLD AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT COULD HELP MAKE
GMOS MORE WIDELY ACCEPTED EVEN IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD. ¶20. (C) AREAS IN WHICH WE SHOULD EXPECT CONTINUED DIFFICULTIES
DURING THE NEXT 12 MONTHS: CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 VATICA 03507 04 OF 04 031723Z -- THE MIDDLE EAST -
THE VATICAN WILL CONTINUE TO OPPOSE U.S. EFFORTS TO ISOLATE
SADDAM HUSSEIN. WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT THE VATICAN WILL NOT
SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS IN IRAQ, AND INVESTIGATE WAYS TO LIMIT
VATICAN INTERFERENCE WITH OUR OBJECTIVES. IN ISRAEL, THE
VATICAN WILL CONTINUE EFFORTS TO INSERT ITSELF ON THE QUESTION
OF THE STATUS OF JERUSALEM; -- DEATH PENALTY - THE VATICAN WILL CONTINUE ITS CONDEMNATION
OF THE DEATH PENALTY. STATEMENTS BY THE POPE ARE LIKELY TO
BE USED BY MANY AROUND THE WORLD TO CONDEMN CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
IN THE UNITED STATES. THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONSIDER IF IT
WANTS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, AND IF SO, WHAT PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
AVENUES TO USE. MMERANTE CONFIDENTIAL > 2001VATICA03507 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
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