MEPP: POPE GRAVELY CONCERNED, HAS MESSAGE FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 001639

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/WE (DEBORAH MENNUTI)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2012
TAGS: PHUM PREL VT
SUBJECT: MEPP: POPE GRAVELY CONCERNED, HAS MESSAGE FOR
PRESIDENT


CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR JIM NICHOLSON FOR REASONS 1.5 (A) AND (D).


1. (C) VATICAN FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN UNEXPECTEDLY CALLED

AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON THIS MORNING. H HAD JUST CONCLUDED A
MEETING WITH POPE JOHN PAU II WHO IS SHOCKED OVER REPORTED
DEATH OF A CATHLIC PRIEST IN BETHLEHEM. THE PRIEST WAS
REPORTEDY THE CHAPLAIN OF THE SISTERS OF SAINT BRIDGET AND
WAS KILLED BY ISRAELI FIRE. TAURAN SAID THAT THE POPE HAS
PERSONALLY REQUESTED THAT THE AMBASSADOR CONTACT PRESIDENT
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 VATICA 01639 021535Z
BUSH AND ASK HIM TO RESTRAIN THE ISRAELIS. HE ALSO SAID THAT
THE VATICAN UNDERSTANDS THE ISRAELIS NEED FOR SELF-DEFENSE,
BUT AT THIS POINT THE VATICAN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT ARAFAT
CONTROLS THE MILITANTS. TAURAN ALSO RAISED TE NEED FOR THE
IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT OF INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPERS.


2. (C) TAURAN CONVOKED AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON TO THE FOREIGN
MINISTRY TOMORROW, APRIL 3 AT 12 NOON TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE
DETERIORATING SITUATION. IN ADDITION, TAURAN SAID THEY HAD
INFORMATION OF A SERIOUS NATURE ON WHAT SOME ARAB NATIONS ARE
PLANNING TO DO, AND WOULD SHARE IT TOMORROW.


3. (C) ACTON REQUESTED: POST REQUESTS TALKING POINTS ON
CURRENT U.S. POSITION AND PLANS BY OOB VATICAN TIME APRIL 3.
NICHOLSON

CONFIDENTIAL

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2002VATICA01639 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL