DROC--VATICAN DEMARCHE

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 001261 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (VAN CLEVE); DEPT FOR AF/C FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 31/01 E.0. 12958: DECL: 03/05/11 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS CG VT SUBJECT: DROC--VATICAN DEMARCHE ¶1. (U) CLASSIFIED BY CDA JOSEPH MERANTE FOR REASONS 1.5 (A) AND (D) . ¶2. (C) DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MIGLIORE CALLED IN CHARGE CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 VATICA 01261 061419Z TO PRESENT A PRO MEMORIA ON THE SITUATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (FAXED TO EUR/WE 3/6). (NOTE: FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN IS ATTENDING THE POPE'S ANNUAL LENTEN RETREAT). ¶3. (C) MIGLIORE EXPANDED UPON THE TEXT OF THE PRO MEMORIA. HE SAID THAT THE VATICAN IS REQUESTING THE U.S. AND THE UK TO PUT PRESSURE ON UGANDA AND RWANDA TO FULLY WITHDRAW ITS TROOPS FROM THE KIVU REGION, TO IMMEDIATELY CEASE THE ILLEGAL EXPLOITATION OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES, AND TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERCONGOLESE DIALOG. MIGLIORE SAID THAT THE UGANDAN/RWANDAN OCCUPATION OF KIVU CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEATH OF OVER ONE MILLION PEOPLE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. ¶4. (C) CHARGE INQUIRED IF THE HOLY SEE WOULD BE APPROACHING OTHER COUNTRIES IN ADDITION TO THE U.S. AND THE UK. MIGLIORE SAID THAT THE VATICAN HAD DECIDED TO LIMIT ITS DEMARCHE TO THE U.S. AND THE UK ON THE SITUATION IN THE KIVU REGION BECAUSE IT BELIEVES WE ARE THE TWO COUNTRIES WITH THE MOST INFLUENCE WITH THE RWANDANS AND THE UGANDANS. HOWEVER, THE VATICAN WILL BE CONTACTING THE ANGOLANS AND THE ZIMBABWEANS TO URGE THEM TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE DIALOG. MIGLIORE SAID THAT HE BELIEVES ZIMBABWE IS GOING TO RESIST AS PRESIDENT MUGBAE'S SON IS A KEY PLAYER IN THE EXPLOITATION OF THE DIAMOND MINES IN THE DROC. MIGLIORE ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS CONSIDERING CONSULTING WITH THE BELGIAN AMBASSADOR. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: THE FACT THAT MIGLIORE MADE NO MENTION OF CONSULTATIONS WITH THE FRENCH IS SURPRISING. THE FRENCH CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 VATICA 01261 061419Z EMBASSY TO THE VATICAN HAS REPEATEDLY URGED THE VATICAN AND SANT'EGIDIO TO BECOME ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS. ¶6. (U) ACTION REQUESTED: EMBASSY SHOULD REPLY TO MIGLIORE BY 3/9. REQUEST THAT DEPARTMENT PROVIDES POINTS FOR USE. MERANTE