WORKING WITH THE HOLY SEE IN INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 003633

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT. EUR/WE (MENNUTI),IO, IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AORC PGOV AORC PGOV AORC VT UN VTPREL UN VTPREL UN
SUBJECT: WORKING WITH THE HOLY SEE IN INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS - POWERFUL ALLY AND OCCASIONAL FOE

REF: VATICAN 0444

--------------
INTRODUCTION
--------------


1. (U) SUMMARY: THE HOLY SEE ACTIVELY SEEKS TO INFLUENCE
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 VATICA 03633 01 OF 03 231457Z
THE POLICIES OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS
AND PARTICIPATES INTENSELY IN THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE TO
PROMOTE ITS OWN AGENDA, PARTICULARLY ITS POSITION ON
SEXUALITY AND THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY. THE HOLY SEE WILL BE
A U.S. ALLY ON ISSUES THAT DEFEND "HUMAN DIGNITY," SUCH AS
TRAFFICKING, PEACEKEEPING, DEVELOPMENT AID, AND HUMAN
RIGHTS. IT COULD BE A POWERFUL OPPONENT ON OTHERS SUCH AS
MILITARY INTERVENTION, SANCTIONS, THE DEATH PENALTY, AND
ASPECTS OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. U.S. MISSIONS TO
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE WELL SERVED WHEN THEY
CULTIVATE AND MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS WITH HOLY SEE
REPRESENTATIVES, WORKING TOGETHER WHERE OUR POSITIONS ARE
COMPLEMENTARY, AND ENSURING U.S. POSITIONS ARE UNDERSTOOD
WHERE VIEWS MAY DIVERGE. END SUMMARY.

--------------
THE HOLY SEE'S MULTILATERAL FOREIGN POLICY
--------------


2. (U) THE HOLY SEE IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN A BROAD
RANGE OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS -- TYPICALLY AS AN
"OBSERVER" -- AND WORKS WITHIN THESE FORA TO ADVANCE
PRINCIPLES CENTRAL TO THE CHURCH'S WORLD VIEW: PRIORITY OF
THE HUMAN PERSON; THE PROMOTION AND, WHEN NECESSARY, THE
DEFENSE OF PEACE; SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRACY BUILDING
INITIATIVES; AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL ORDER
BASED ON JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS. FM TAURAN RECENTLY
RESTATED THE HOLY SEE'S BASIC MESSAGE TO UN MEMBER STATES:
ALL NATIONS ARE EQUAL, WITH EQUAL DIGNITY AND RIGHT TO
DEFENSE OF IDENTITY AND AUTONOMY; NATIONS MUST ACT IN
SOLIDARITY (I.E., ACCORDING TO RECIPROCAL MORAL OBLIGATIONS
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 VATICA 03633 01 OF 03 231457Z
NOT ONLY TO TREAT EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT BUT TO SEE THAT
PEOPLES' BASIC NEEDS ARE MET). THE HOLY SEE REGARDS THE
UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AS AN IDEAL FORUM AND PRIVILEGED
PLATFORM TO ADVANCE THESE PRINCIPLES MULTILATERALLY. AS A
RESULT, IT HAS TENDED TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY WHEN FACED WITH
THE UN'S FAILINGS, PARTICULARLY ITS BUREAUCRATIC
DEFICIENCIES. IT IS UNLIKELY TO PUBLICLY SUPPORT U.S.
CRITIQUES OF THE UN. HOWEVER, THE HOLY SEE WILL NOT
HESITATE TO CRITICIZE THE UN AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
DIRECTLY WHEN THESE ENGAGE IN A PERCEIVED ASSAULT ON THE
HOLY SEE'S CORE PRINCIPLES.


3. (U) IN OPTING FOR PERMANENT OBSERVER STATUS RATHER THAN
FULL MEMBERSHIP IN MOST ORGANIZATIONS, THE HOLY SEE HAS
SOUGHT TO EMPHASIZE ITS MORAL, RATHER THAN POLITICAL,
AUTHORITY, AND ITS UNIQUE INTERNATIONAL JURIDICAL STATUS.
THE HOLY SEE THEREFORE OPERATES FROM A DOCTRINAL AND
PRINCIPLE-BASED PERSPECTIVE WITHIN INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS TO MAINTAIN ITS REPUTATION OF BEING "SUPER
PARTES" - A DISINTERESTED MORAL AGENT ACTING FOR THE GOOD OF
HUMANITY. THE HOLY SEE IS RELUCTANT TO ENGAGE IN PURELY
"POLITICAL" MATTERS, SUCH AS THE UNSC VOTE ON SUDAN'S
MEMBERSHIP, EVEN TO THE EXTENT OF ESCHEWING ITS VOTE ON SUCH
MATTERS IN FORA WHERE IT HAS A VOTE. THE HOLY SEE PREFERS
NOT TO ENGAGE ON OPERATIONAL ISSUES SUCH AS CANDIDACIES FOR
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, PREFERRING TO BE IN THE
ORGANIZATION BUT NOT OF IT. IN THE SUDAN CASE, IT DID TAKE
AN ACTIVE BUT BEHIND THE SCENES ROLE IN DISCUSSING WITH
OTHER UNSC DELEGATES THE INAPPROPRIATENESS OF SUDAN AS A
UNSC MEMBER.

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 VATICA 03633 01 OF 03 231457Z

4. (SBU) SOME WITHIN THE CHURCH HIERARCHY HAVE QUESTIONED
WHETHER THE HOLY SEE WOULD BE BETTER SERVED BY FULL VOTING
MEMBERSHIP IN MORE ORGANIZATIONS, BUT AS BISHOP MARCHETTO OF
THE COUNCIL FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF MIGRANTS AND TRAVELERS
RECENTLY POINTED OUT TO US, OBSRVER STATUS GIVES THE HOLY
SEE THE BEST OF BOTH ORLDS: IT CAN PARTICIPATE IN
DISCUSSIONS AS ACTVELY AS ANY MEMBER, BUT RETAINS THE
ABILITY TO SAY ABOVE THE FRAY AND "SAY THINGS THAT NEED TO
BESAID."


5. (U) THE HOLY SEE'S PRINCIPLES TRANSATE INTO A SERIES
OF STRONGLY HELD POSITIONS ON SSUES OF PRIORITY INTEREST TO
THE UNITED STATES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOLY SEE BELIEVES THAT
WAR MUST ALWAYS BE REFUTED AND PRIORITY GIVEN TO NEGOTIATION
AND THE USE OF JURIDICAL MEANS FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION. IT
WILL THEREFORE OPPOSE THE USE OF FORCE UNLESS THE
REQUIREMENTS OF ITS JUST WAR DOCTRINE ARE FULFILLED, AS WAS
THE CASE IN THE LIBERATION OF KUWAIT, BUT NOT IN THE
CONTINUED MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ (REFTEL). THE HOLY
SEE ALSO USES MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE
FROM CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH, AS WELL AS TO PROMOTE ITS

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED PTQ4187

PAGE 01 VATICA 03633 02 OF 03 231458Z
ACTION EUR-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00
UTED-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 VCE-00
NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 SS-00 TEST-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02
SAS-00 /006W
-------------- CF169A 231458Z /38
R 231456Z JUL 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC
GENEVA IO MISSIONS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 VATICAN 003633

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT. EUR/WE (MENNUTI),IO, IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AORC PGOV AORC PGOV AORC VT UN VTPREL UN VTPREL UN
SUBJECT: WORKING WITH THE HOLY SEE IN INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS - POWERFUL ALLY AND OCCASIONAL FOE

TRADITIONAL JUDEO-CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF THE FAMILY. IT
FAVORS GRADUAL REDUCTION IN MILITARY SPENDING AND EFFECTIVE
DISARMAMENT, SEEKS TO PROMOTE RESPECT FOR CULTURES AND
RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS, AND DEMONSTRATES SOLIDARITY WITH POOR
COUNTRIES TO PROMOTE THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

--------------
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 VATICA 03633 02 OF 03 231458Z
POWERFUL ALLY EFFECTIVE FOE
--------------


6. (U) IN MANY CASES, U.S. AND VATICAN VIEWS ARE
COMPATIBLE, AND HOLY SEE DIPLOMATS CAN BE VALUABLE ALLIES.
WHERE THE USG SEEKS TO PROMOTE HUMAN VALUES AND RELIEVE
HUMAN SUFFERING BY MEDIATING CONFLICTS, COMBATING DISEASE,
AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS, THE HOLY SEE WILL BE A STRONG
PARTNER. THE HOLY SEE PERCEIVES A CLOSER THAN EVER
CONVERGENCE WITH THE USG IN SEVERAL AREAS. THE MOST
UNAMBIGUOUS EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE RECENT COORDINATION OF
POSITIONS IN SUPPORT OF A UN CONVENTION TO BAN ALL FORMS OF
HUMAN CLONING, AN EFFORT THAT WAS EXTREMELY WELL-RECEIVED AT
THE HIGHEST LEVELS IN THE CURIA. POST IS ALSO ENGAGED WITH
RELEVANT CURIA OFFICES IN A DIALOGUE TO EXPLORE QUESTIONS OF
FOOD SECURITY IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD AND THE POSITIVE
CONTRIBUTION TO BE MADE BY GMOS. WHILE THE HOLY SEE HAS YET
TO BE CONVINCED THAT USG COMMERCIAL INTERESTS ARE NOT THE
DRIVING MOTIVATION FOR OUR SUPPORT FOR GMO'S, THEY ARE
WILLING TO DISCUSS GMOS WITH AN OPEN MIND AS A MEANS OF
INCREASING FOOD SECURITY. IF WE CAN MAKE OUR CASE, THE HOLY
SEE COULD BECOME A POWERFUL BOOSTER IN THE FAO AND THE
COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR GMO'S AS A MEANS TO
ALLEVIATE HUNGER. IF, HOWEVER, THE HOLY SEE WERE TO
CONCLUDE THAT GMOS ARE IMMORAL, IT COULD COMPLICATE OUR
EFFORTS TO PROMOTE U.S. AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS AND
CONTRIBUTE TO THE ALLEVIATION OF HUNGER THROUGH GMO'S.


7. (U) SOME WITHIN THE HOLY SEE BELIEVE THAT A FEW WESTERN
NATIONS AND NGOS HAVE HIJACKED THE UN TO PROMOTE FEMINIST
AND HOMOSEXUAL AGENDAS THAT REFLECT MINORITY POSITIONS
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 VATICA 03633 02 OF 03 231458Z
WITHIN THE NGO'S HOME COUNTRIES. AT THE CAIRO CONFERENCE,
AS WELL AS IN BEIJING IN 1995, THE HOLY SEE FORMED EFFECTIVE
ALLIANCES WITH CONSERVATIVE SOUTH AMERICAN AND ISLAMIC
STATES SUCH AS GUATEMALA AND LIBYA IN SUPPORT OF ITS
POSITION. THE STRATEGY WAS SUCCESSFUL AND WE EXPECT IT TO
BE USED AGAIN. ACCORDING TO FM TAURAN, THE HOLY SEE'S BASIC
POSITION IS THAT A FAMILY IS CONSTITUTED OF A MAN AND A
WOMAN IN A PERMANENT RELATIONSHIP, AND THAT HUMAN NATURE AND
UNIVERSAL RIGHTS EXIST AND ARE SANCTIONED IN THE "GREAT
DOCUMENTS AND CONVENTIONS THAT REGULATE THE LIFE OF THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY." TAURAN SAID THE HOLY SEE WOULD
CONTINUE TO PROMOTE A CONSERVATIVE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN MORALITY
OF SEXUAL ABSTINENCE OUTSIDE OF LEGAL MARRIAGE, FIDELITY
WITHIN MARRIAGE, AND OPPOSITION TO ARTIFICIAL FORMS OF
CONTRACEPTION, ABORTION AND THE DEATH PENALTY. OBVIOUSLY,
THIS APPROACH LEADS THE HOLY SEE TO BALKS AT WIDELY
SANCTIONED APPROACHES ON SOME ISSUES SUCH AS CONDOM USE TO
PREVENT HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA, PREFERRING TO FOCUS ON
EDUCATION, ABSTINENCE, AND TREATMENT. THE HOLY SEE HAS ALSO
LOBBIED AGAINST REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH INITIATIVES SUCH AS
ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION AND ABORTION FOR WOMEN IN REFUGEE
CAMPS DURING RECENT CONFLICTS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE
VIGOROUSLY TO PROMOTE ITS VIEWS ON REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


8. (SBU) THE HOLY SEE WILL ACTIVELY CULTIVATE ALLIANCES
WITH ANY STATE OR ORGANIZATION THAT FOSTERS TRADITIONAL
EXPRESSIONS OF THE FAMILY, CONSERVATIVE SEXUAL AND
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 VATICA 03633 02 OF 03 231458Z
REPRODUCTIVE POSITIONS, EQUITABLE ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION,
AND ETHICAL PRINCIPALS THAT RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT HUMAN LIFE
FROM CONCEPTION TO NATURAL DEATH. THE HOLY SEE WILL BE
AGGRESSIVE IN FOSTERING SUCH ALLIANCES, AS WHEN IT SOLICITED
THE SUPPORT OF MOSLEM STATES DURING RECENT UN CONFERENCES.
THE HOLY SEE ALSO ENCOURAGES SYMPATHETIC NGOS ACCREDITED TO
THE UN TO LOBBY INDIVIDUAL STATES ON SO-CALLED MORAL ISSUES.
VATICAN OFFICIALS ARE VERY OPEN TO DISCUSSION WITH U.S.
OFFICIALS, ARE NOT MONOLITHIC IN VIEW, AND CAN BE CONVINCED
BY MORAL ARGUMENTS. TO GAIN THEIR SUPPORT, EMBASSIES SHOULD
SEEK TO CONVEY TO HOLY SEE REPRESENTATIVES HOW OUR POLICIES
CAN CONTRIBUTE TO ADVANCING THE PRINCIPLES THEY HOLD DEAR.


9. (U) THE HOLY SEE IS REPRESENTED AT THE FOLLOWING
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

OBSERVER STATUS:

UNITED NATIONS
UNITED NATIONS OFFICES AND SPECIALIZED INSTITUTIONS (UNHCR,
UNICEF, ETC)

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED PTQ4188

PAGE 01 VATICA 03633 03 OF 03 231458Z
ACTION EUR-00

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00
UTED-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 VCE-00
NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 SS-00 TEST-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02
SAS-00 /006W
-------------- CF16A3 231458Z /38
R 231456Z JUL 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC
GENEVA IO MISSIONS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 VATICAN 003633

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT. EUR/WE (MENNUTI),IO, IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AORC PGOV AORC PGOV AORC VT UN VTPREL UN VTPREL UN
SUBJECT: WORKING WITH THE HOLY SEE IN INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS - POWERFUL ALLY AND OCCASIONAL FOE

UNITED NATIONS OFFICES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN
SETTLEMENTS
UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATIONS FOR NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE
(FAO, IFAD, WFP)
UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION FOR EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND
CULTURE (UNESCO)
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 VATICA 03633 03 OF 03 231458Z
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (REPRESENTED BY AN AMBASSADOR)
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
THE ARAB LEAGUE
WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION
ORGANIZATION FOR AFRICAN UNITY
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR MILITARY MEDICINE

FULL MEMBERSHIP WITH VOTING RIGHTS:

ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

NICHOLSON

UNCLASSIFIED

>


2002VATICA03633 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED