Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
01VATICAN4030
2001-08-01 12:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:  

ANGOLA PEACE: SANT'EGIDIO FORWARDS UNITA PROPOSAL

Tags:  PREL PGOV AN VT 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 004030 

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR: EUR/WE (SDEAN); AF/S (DELISA, KUSNITZ)

FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 128/01

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/11
TAGS: PREL PGOV AN VT
SUBJECT: ANGOLA PEACE: SANT'EGIDIO FORWARDS UNITA PROPOSAL


CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE JOSEPH MERANTE, REASONS E.O. 12958
(B),(D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 004030

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR: EUR/WE (SDEAN); AF/S (DELISA, KUSNITZ)

FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 128/01

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/11
TAGS: PREL PGOV AN VT
SUBJECT: ANGOLA PEACE: SANT'EGIDIO FORWARDS UNITA PROPOSAL


CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE JOSEPH MERANTE, REASONS E.O. 12958
(B),(D).


1. (U) THIS CABLE CONTAINS A GUIDANCE REQUEST -- PLEASE
SEE PARA FOUR.

CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 VATICA 04030 011305Z

2. (C) SANT'EGIDIO COMMUNITY SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR AND
SOMETIME AFRICAN-CONFLICT-MEDIATOR DON MATTEO ZUPPI ASKED
CHARGE AND A/DCM TO COFFEE 7/30 TO SEEK USG VIEWS AND
SUPPORT FOR PROPOSAL TO REINVIGORATE PROCESS FOR ANGOLA
PEACE. DON MATTEO SAID HE HAD BEEN APPROACHED BY AN
UNNAMED "GOOD CONTACT" IN UNITA WHO HAD SHARED A PROPOSAL
FOR STOPPING HOSTILITIES AND INITIATING MEDIATION. DON
MATTEO SAID THE UNITA OFFICIAL PROPOSED THAT SANT'EGIDIO
HOST A SMALL "SECRET" MEETING OF UNITA AND GOA
REPRESENTATIVES AT SANT'EGIDIO HEADQUARTERS IN ROME. THE
PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING WOULD BE TO ESTABLISH THE FRAMEWORK
FOR A CEASEFIRE, AFTER WHICH UNITA WOULD BE WILLING TO
ENTER INTO A BROADER MEDIATION FOR DISARMAMENT AND
RECONCILIATION. DON MATTEO ASKED FOR USG VIEWS, BUT
PARTICULARLY WANTED THE USG TO GAIN GOA BLESSING FOR THIS
INITIAL MEETING IN ROME. HE SAID THAT, WITH PRESIDENT DOS
SANTOS' AGREEMENT, THE FIRST MEETING COULD TAKE PLACE AS
EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.


3. (C) COMMENT: AS LONG-TIME AFRICA WATCHERS KNOW,
SANT'EGIDIO HAS A PROVEN BUT FADING TRACK RECORD OF
SUCCESSFUL CONFLICT MEDIATION IN AFRICA, HAVING FACILITATED
THE END TO MOZAMBIQUE'S CIVIL WAR IN 1990-92. EVER SINCE,
SANT'EGIDIO HAS SOUGHT, BUT FAILED, TO DUPLICATE THAT
SUCCESS BY HELPING RESOLVE SOME OTHER INTER-COMMUNAL
CONFLICT. DON MATTEO HIMSELF REMAINS VERY ACTIVE IN
AFRICAN AFFAIRS, MOST RECENTLY HAVING BEEN PROMOTED BY US
SPECIAL ENVOY WOLPE FOR A ROLE IN DRC CONFLICT MEDIATION.
POST HAS FOUND SANT'EGIDIO TO BE A USEFUL INTERLOCUTOR --
THEY FREQUENTLY TRAVEL TO PLACES AND TALK WITH PEOPLE THAT
THE USG HAS LIMITED ABILITY TO REACH.
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 VATICA 04030 011305Z


4. (C) GUIDANCE REQUEST: POST WOULD APPRECIATE ANY
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT MAY WISH TO PROVIDE IN RESPONDING TO
DON MATTEO. WE HAVE TOLD HIM THAT WE WOULD GET BACK TO HIM
ASAP.
MERANTE

CONFIDENTIAL

>


2001VATICA04030 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL