FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN ON MIDDLE EAST AND RUSSIA:

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 003823 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),NEA, DRL/IRF AND EUR/RUS HELSINKI PASS ST PETERSBURG MOSCOW PASS TO VLADIVOSTOK E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2012 TAGS: IS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS VT VTIS VTIS VTIS SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN ON MIDDLE EAST AND RUSSIA: SKEPTICAL OF SHARON; PERPLEXED BY MOSCOW REF: A. A) VATICAN 3503 ¶B. B) VATICAN 3527 ¶C. C) VATICAN 3492 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 VATICA 03823 01 OF 02 021542Z CLASSIFIED BY: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES D. BRENT HARDT. REASONS 1.5 (B) AND D). ¶1. SUMMARY: (C) VATICAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARCHBISHOP JEAN-LOUIS TAURAN TOLD CHARGE JULY 25 THAT THE HOLY SEE REMAINS SKEPTICAL OF PRIME MINISTER SHARON'S WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT A POLITICAL SOLUTION, AND VIEWS THE JULY 22 ISRAELI ACTION IN GAZA AS EVIDENCE OF SHARON'S PREFERENCE FOR A MILITARY SOLUTION. TAURAN WAS EVEN-HANDED, CONDEMNING PALESTINIAN ACTIONS, AND EXPRESSING DOUBT THAT EITHER SHARON OR ARAFAT WOULD BE ABLE TO SURMOUNT THEIR PREDILECTIONS AND TAKE THE STEPS NEEDED TO MOVE TOWARD A PEACE PROCESS. FOR THAT REASON, THE VATICAN CONTINUES TO FAVOR THE CONVENING OF A PEACE CONFERENCE AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. THE HOLY SEE ALSO BELIEVES THAT SOME FORM OF INTERNATIONAL FORCE IS NEEDED TO SEPARATE THE TWO SIDES AND PROVIDE A BREATHING SPACE TO DAMPEN CURRENT HIGH EMOTIONS. TAURAN REITERATED THE HOLY SEE'S MOUNTING CONCERN FOR THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT'S RECENT ACTIONS TO DENY VISAS TO ARCHBISHOP MAZUR AND TO RESTRICT VISAS FOR OTHER CATHOLIC PRIESTS. ARCHBISHOP TRICARICO, WHO MOST CLOSELY TRACKS RUSSIAN ISSUES IN THE HOLY SEE, INDICATED THAT NOW IS THE TIME FOR UNEQUIVOCAL INDICATIONS OF U.S. SUPPORT FOR GREATER RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN RUSSIA. END SUMMARY. -------------- SHARON SEEKING MILITARY SOLUTION? -------------- ¶2. (C) ARCHBISHOP JEAN-LOUIS TAURAN PROVIDED CHARGE WITH THE CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 VATICA 03823 01 OF 02 021542Z HOLY SEE'S CURRENT ASSESSMENT OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND RUSSIA DURING A JULY 25 COURTESY CALL. ON THE MIDDLE EAST, TAURAN REGARDED ISRAEL'S JULY 22 RAID ON GAZA AS FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR HIS CONVICTION THAT SHARON WAS NOT REALLY INTERESTED IN A POLITICAL SOLUTION. TAURAN, WHO SERVED AS PAPAL NUNCIO IN LEBANON DURING ISRAEL'S 1980'S INCURSIONS, RECOUNTED A CONVERSATION SHARON HAD WITH LEBANESE CHRISTIANS AT THAT TIME. SHARON HAD OBSERVED THAT CHRISTIANS AND JEWS LIVING IN A HOSTILE ARAB SEA COULD ONLY SURVIVE BY BEING IN A CONTINUOUS STATE OF WAR. TAURAN WRYLY REMARKED THAT THIS HAD BEEN TRIED CENTURIES BEFORE DURING THE CRUSADES, BUT THE RESULTS DID NOT LEND MUCH SUPPORT SHARON'S THESIS. THE HOLY SEE SEES LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT SHARON HAS CHANGED HIS VIEWS, AND REMAINS SKEPTICAL THAT SHARON IS COMMITTED TO A POLITICAL SOLUTION. "SHARON PREFERS A MILITARY SOLUTION," TAURAN CONCLUDED, "AND HAS YET TO REALIZE THAT THERE CAN BE NO SATISFACTORY MILITARY SOLUTION." ¶3. (C) BECAUSE OF THE INTRANSIGENCE OF BOTH SHARON AND ARAFAT, THE HOLY SEE BELIEVES THE PARTIES NEED THE IMPETUS OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO HELP THEM MOVE BEYOND THE CURRENT STALEMATE. TAURAN ALSO BELIEVES THAT SOME FORM OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE TIT-FOR-TAT CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AND GIVE BOTH SIDES THE BREATHING SPACE THEY NEED TO DAMPEN EMOTIONS AND THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT A LASTING POLITICAL SOLUTION. CHARGE OUTLINED TO TAURAN THE U.S. APPROACH, STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING THE SECURITY SITUATION AND THEN BEGINNING PARALLEL WORK ON PALESTINIAN REFORMS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN PALESTINIAN CONDITIONS WHILE WORKING TOWARD THE PRESIDENT'S VISION OF TWO STATES WITHIN THREE YEARS. TAURAN, WHO HAD JUST RETURNED CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 VATICA 03823 01 OF 02 021542Z FROM DISCUSSIONS WITH FOREIGN MINISTER DE VILLEPIN IN FRANCE, WELCOMED THE CURRENT DIRECTION, BUT ALSO EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING URGENT STEPS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR PALESTINIANS. -------------- POPE STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM PUTIN -------------- ¶4. (C) AS REPORTED REFS (B) AND (C),POPE JOHN PAUL II HAD WRITTEN TO PRESIDENT PUTIN OVER TWO MONTHS AGO SEEKING CLARIFICATION OF RUSSIA'S DENIAL OF ENTRY TO POLISH ARCHBISHOP MAZUR FOR THE IRKUTSK DIOCESE. TAURAN INDICATED NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S) CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTQ3482 PAGE 01 VATICA 03823 02 OF 02 021544Z ACTION EUR-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00 FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 VCE-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 PC-01 IRM-00 SS-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /004W -------------- D3E33F 021544Z /38 P 021409Z AUG 02 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY INFO ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY AMEMBASSY ALMATY PRIORITY AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY AMEMBASSY CHISINAU PRIORITY AMEMBASSY KIEV PRIORITY AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG PRIORITY C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 VATICAN 003823 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),NEA, DRL/IRF AND EUR/RUS HELSINKI PASS ST PETERSBURG MOSCOW PASS TO VLADIVOSTOK E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2012 TAGS: IS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS VT VTIS VTIS VTIS SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN ON MIDDLE EAST AND RUSSIA: SKEPTICAL OF SHARON; PERPLEXED BY MOSCOW THAT THE HOLY SEE HAS STILL NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM PUTIN, AND REMAINS MYSTIFIED AS TO WHY HE HAS YET TO RESPOND. "ALL WE WERE ASKING FOR WAS AN EXPLANATION OF WHY BISHOP CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 VATICA 03823 02 OF 02 021544Z MAZUR WAS DENIED ENTRY INTO RUSSIA," TAURAN NOTED, "NOTHING MORE." TAURAN REITERATED HIS APPRECIATION FOR PRESIDENT BUSH'S EARLIER WILLINGNESS TO RAISE THE POPE'S CONCERNS ABOUT THIS CASE WITH PRESIDENT PUTIN, AND SUGGESTED THAT ADDITIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT MIGHT BE NEEDED. ¶5. (C) ARCHBISHOP TRICARICO, THE VATICAN'S TOP RUSSIA EXPERT WAS MORE INSISTENT THAT OUTSIDE PRESSURE WOULD BE NECESSARY TO FOCUS THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. TRICARICO LAMENTED THAT RUSSIA'S RECENT PRESSURE AGAINST THE CHURCH AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM MORE BROADLY APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN SUBMERGED BY BROADER WESTERN PRIORITIES IN SEEKING RUSSIAN COOPERATION IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM. HE BELIEVED, HOWEVER, THAT THE SITUATION WAS AT A CRITICAL JUNCTURE, AND THAT RUSSIA NEEDED TO HEAR A LOUD AND CONSISTENT MESSAGE FROM THE U.S. AND EUROPE THAT RUSSIA NEEDED TO RESPECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS IF IT WANTED TO INTEGRATE MORE CLOSELY WITH THE WEST. ¶6. (C) TRICARICO EXPRESSED PLEASURE WITH A RECENT PROVINCIAL COURT DECISION IN THE SIBERIAN CITY OF MAGADAN ALLOWING AN ALASKAN PRIEST TO REMAIN AS PASTOR OF A CATHOLIC PARISH IN THAT REMOTE CITY. FATHER MICHAEL SHIELDS, PASTOR NATIVITY OF JESUS PARISH SINCE 1994, HAD BEEN CHALLENGED BY THE PROVINCIAL MINISTRY OF JUSTICE ON THE GROUNDS THAT FOREIGNERS CANNOT BE PASTORS IN RUSSIA. THE COURT TOOK ONLY 10 MINUTES TO DECIDE IN SHIELD'S FAVOR. THE CASE COULD HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT BEYOND THE PROVINCE, TRICARICO SUGGESTED, BUT THAT IS FAR FROM CERTAIN. -------------- CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 VATICA 03823 02 OF 02 021544Z COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) TAURAN REITERATED HIS APPRECIATION FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW MIDDLE EAST EVENTS WITH THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY POWELL DURING THEIR MAY VISIT TO THE VATICAN, AND REAFFIRMED HIS DESIRE TO STAY IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE U.S. ON DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE QUARTET AIMED AT ADVANCING THE PRESIDENT'S VISION FOR PEACE. ¶8. (C) (COMMENT CONTINUED) ON THE CHURCH IN RUSSIA, THE VATICAN'S LEVEL OF CONCERN IS CLEARLY MOUNTING, AS THE ISSUE HAS COME UP IN A RANGE OF DISCUSSIONS WITH SENIOR CURIAL OFFICIALS. THE HOLY SEE SEEMS AT A LOSS FOR HOW TO PROCEED -- GIVEN THAT PRESIDENT PUTIN APPEARS UNWILLING TO RESPOND TO THE POPE -- AND IS CLEARLY SIGNALING ITS INTEREST IN ADDITIONAL SIGNS OF U.S. SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN RUSSIA AND SPECIFICALLY FOR CLARIFICATION OF THE VISA SITUATION FOR PRIESTS. WE WOULD WELCOME EMBASSY MOSCOW'S ASSESSMENT OF WHAT IS BEHIND THE CURRENT STONEWALLING AND HOW BEST TO ENGAGE THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT ON THIS ISSUE. HARDT CONFIDENTIAL > @@@OASYS@@@ CONFIDENTIAL PTQ3138 PAGE 01 VATICA 03823 01 OF 02 021428Z ACTION EUR-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00 FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 VCE-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 PC-01 IRM-00 SS-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /004W -------------- D3D4EE 021428Z /38 P 021409Z AUG 02 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY SECSTATE WASHC PRIORITY INFO ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PIORITY EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORTY AMEMBASSY ALMATY PRIORITY AMEBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY MEMBASSY CHISINAU PRIORITY AMEMBASSY KIEVPRIORITY AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG PRIORITY C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 003823 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),NEA, DRL/IRF AND EUR/RUS HELSINKI PASS ST PETERSBURG MOSCOW PASS TO VLADIVOSTOK E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2012 TAGS: IS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS VT VTIS VTIS VTIS SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN ON MIDDLE EAST AND RUSSIA: SKEPTICAL OF SHARON; PERPLEXED BY MOSCOW REF: A. A) VATICAN 3503 CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 VATICA 03823 01 OF 02 021428Z ¶B. B) VATICAN 3527 ¶C. C) VATICAN 3492 CLASSIFIED BY: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES D. BRENT HARDT. REASONS 1.5 (B) AND D). ¶1. SUMMARY: (C) VATICAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARCHBISHOP JEAN-LOUIS TAURAN TOLD CHARGE JULY 25 THAT THE HOLY SEE REMAINS SKEPTICAL OF PRIME MINISTER SHARON'S WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT A POLITICAL SOLUTION, AND VIEWS THE JULY 22 ISRAELI ACTION IN GAZA AS EVIDENCE OF SHARON'S PREFERENCE FOR A MILITARY SOLUTION. TAURAN WAS EVEN-HANDED, CONDEMNING PALESTINIAN ACTIONS, AND EXPRESSING DOUBT THAT EITHER SHARON OR ARAFAT WOULD BE ABLE TO SURMOUNT THEIR PREDILECTIONS AND TAKE THE STEPS NEEDED TO MOVE TOWARD A PEACE PROCESS. FOR THAT REASON, THE VATICAN CONTINUES TO FAVOR THE CONVENING OF A PEACE CONFERENCE AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. THE HOLY SEE ALSO BELIEVES THAT SOME FORM OF INTERNATIONAL FORCE IS NEEDED TO SEPARATE THE TWO SIDES AND PROVIDE A BREATHING SPACE TO DAMPEN CURRENT HIGH EMOTIONS. TAURAN REITERATED THE HOLY SEE'S MOUNTING CONCERN FOR THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT'S RECENT ACTIONS TO DENY VISAS TO ARCHBISHOP MAZUR AND TO RESTRICT VISAS FOR OTHER CATHOLIC PRIESTS. ARCHBISHOP TRICARICO, WHO MOST CLOSELY TRACKS RUSSIAN ISSUES IN THE HOLY SEE, INDICATED THAT NOW IS THE TIME FOR UNEQUIVOCAL INDICATIONS OF U.S. SUPPORT FOR GREATER RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN RUSSIA. END SUMMARY. -------------- SHARON SEEKING MILITARY SOLUTION? -------------- CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 VATICA 03823 01 OF 02 021428Z ¶2. (C) ARCHBISHOP JEAN-LOUIS TAURAN PROVIDED CHARGE WITH THE HOLY SEE'S CURRENT ASSESSMENT OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND RUSSIA DURING A JULY 25 COURTESY CALL. ON THE MIDDLE EAST, TAURAN REGARDED ISRAEL'S JULY 22 RAID ON GAZA AS FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR HIS CONVICTION THAT SHARON WAS NOT REALLY INTERESTED IN A POLITICAL SOLUTION. TAURAN, WHO SERVED AS PAPAL NUNCIO IN LEBANON DURING ISRAEL'S 1980'S INCURSIONS, RECOUNTED A CONVERSATION SHARON HAD WITH LEBANESE CHRISTIANS AT THAT TIME. SHARON HAD OBSERVED THAT CHRISTIANS AND JEWS LIVING IN A HOSTILE ARAB SEA COULD ONLY SURVIVE BY BEING IN A CONTINUOUS STATE OF WAR. TAURAN WRYLY REMARKED THAT THIS HAD BEEN TRIED CENTURIES BEFORE DURING THE CRUSADES, BUT THE RESULTS DID NOT LEND MUCH SUPPORT SHARON'S THESIS. THE HOLY SEE SEES LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT SHARON HAS CHANGED HIS VIEWS, AND REMAINS SKEPTICAL THAT SHARON IS COMMITTED TO A POLITICAL SOLUTION. "SHARON PREFERS A MILITARY SOLUTION," TAURAN CONCLUDED, "AND HAS YET TO REALIZE THAT THERE CAN BE NO SATISFACTORY MILITARY SOLUTION." ¶3. (C) BECAUSE OF THE INTRANSIGENCE OF BOTH SHARON AND ARAFAT, THE HOLY SEE BELIEVES THE PARTIES NEED THE IMPETUS OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO HELP THEM MOVE BEYOND THE CURRENT STALEMATE. TAURAN ALSO BELIEVES THAT SOME FORM OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE TIT-FOR-TAT CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AND GIVE BOTH SIDES THE BREATHING SPACE THEY NEED TO DAMPEN EMOTIONS AND THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT A LASTING POLITICAL SOLUTION. CHARGE OUTLINED TO TAURAN THE U.S. APPROACH, STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING THE SECURITY SITUATION AND THEN BEGINNING PARALLEL WORK ON PALESTINIAN REFORMS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN PALESTINIAN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 04 VATICA 03823 01 OF 02 021428Z CONDITIONS WHILE WORKING TOWARD THE PRESIDENT'S VISION OF TWO STATES WITHIN THREE YEARS. TAURAN, WHO HAD JUST RETURNED FROM DISCUSSIONS WITH FOREIGN MINISTER DE VILLEPIN IN FRANCE, WELCOMED THE CURRENT DIRECTION, BUT ALSO EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING URGENT STEPS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR PALESTINIANS. -------------- POPE STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM PUTIN -------------- ¶4. (C) AS REPORTED REFS (B) AND (C),POPE JOHN PAUL II HAD WRITTEN TO PRESIDENT PUTIN OVER TWO MONTHS AGO SEEKING CLARIFICATION OF RUSSIA'S DENIAL OF ENTRY TO POLISH ARCHBISHOP MAZUR FOR THE IRKUTSK DIOCESE. TAURAN INDICATED NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S) CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PTQ3133 PAGE 01 VATICA 03823 02 OF 02 021427Z ACTION EUR-00 INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00 EAP-00 FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 VCE-00 NEA-00 DCP-01 NSAE-00 PC-01 SS-00 DSCC-00 DRL-02 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /005W -------------- D3D4B6 021428Z /38 P 021409Z AUG 02 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY INFO ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY AMEMBASSY ALMATY PRIORITY AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY AMEMBASSY CHISINAU PRIORITY AMEMBASSY KIEV PRIORITY AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG PRIORITY C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 VATICAN 003823 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),NEA, DRL/IRF AND EUR/RUS HELSINKI PASS ST PETERSBURG MOSCOW PASS TO VLADIVOSTOK E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2012 TAGS: IS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF RS VT VTIS VTIS VTIS SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN ON MIDDLE EAST AND RUSSIA: SKEPTICAL OF SHARON; PERPLEXED BY MOSCOW THAT THE HOLY SEE HAS STILL NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM PUTIN, AND REMAINS MYSTIFIED AS TO WHY HE HAS YET TO RESPOND. "ALL WE WERE ASKING FOR WAS AN EXPLANATION OF WHY BISHOP CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 VATICA 03823 02 OF 02 021427Z MAZUR WAS DENIED ENTRY INTO RUSSIA," TAURAN NOTED, "NOTHING MORE." TAURAN REITERATED HIS APPRECIATION FOR PRESIDENT BUSH'S EARLIER WILLINGNESS TO RAISE THE POPE'S CONCERNS ABOUT THIS CASE WITH PRESIDENT PUTIN, AND SUGGESTED THAT ADDITIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT MIGHT BE NEEDED. ¶5. (C) ARCHBISHOP TRICARICO, THE VATICAN'S TOP RUSSIA EXPERT WAS MORE INSISTENT THAT OUTSIDE PRESSURE WOULD BE NECESSARY TO FOCUS THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. TRICARICO LAMENTED THAT RUSSIA'S RECENT PRESSURE AGAINST THE CHURCH AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM MORE BROADLY APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN SUBMERGED BY BROADER WESTERN PRIORITIES IN SEEKING RUSSIAN COOPERATION IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM. HE BELIEVED, HOWEVER, THAT THE SITUATION WAS AT A CRITICAL JUNCTURE, AND THAT RUSSIA NEEDED TO HEAR A LOUD AND CONSISTENT MESSAGE FROM THE U.S. AND EUROPE THAT RUSSIA NEEDED TO RESPECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS IF IT WANTED TO INTEGRATE MORE CLOSELY WITH THE WEST. ¶6. (C) TRICARICO EXPRESSED PLEASURE WITH A RECENT PROVINCIAL COURT DECISION IN THE SIBERIAN CITY OF MAGADAN ALLOWING AN ALASKAN PRIEST TO REMAIN AS PASTOR OF A CATHOLIC PARISH IN THAT REMOTE CITY. FATHER MICHAEL SHIELDS, PASTOR NATIVITY OF JESUS PARISH SINCE 1994, HAD BEEN CHALLENGED BY THE PROVINCIAL MINISTRY OF JUSTICE ON THE GROUNDS THAT FOREIGNERS CANNOT BE PASTORS IN RUSSIA. THE COURT TOOK ONLY 10 MINUTES TO DECIDE IN SHIELD'S FAVOR. THE CASE COULD HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT BEYOND THE PROVINCE, TRICARICO SUGGESTED, BUT THAT IS FAR FROM CERTAIN. -------------- CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 VATICA 03823 02 OF 02 021427Z COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) TAURAN REITERATED HIS APPRECIATION FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW MIDDLE EAST EVENTS WITH THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY POWELL DURING THEIR MAY VISIT TO THE VATICAN, AND REAFFIRMED HIS DESIRE TO STAY IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE U.S. ON DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE QUARTET AIMED AT ADVANCING THE PRESIDENT'S VISION FOR PEACE. ¶8. (C) (COMMENT CONTINUED) ON THE CHURCH IN RUSSIA, THE VATICAN'S LEVEL OF CONCERN IS CLEARLY MOUNTING, AS THE ISSUE HAS COME UP IN A RANGE OF DISCUSSIONS WITH SENIOR CURIAL OFFICIALS. THE HOLY SEE SEEMS AT A LOSS FOR HOW TO PROCEED -- GIVEN THAT PRESIDENT PUTIN APPEARS UNWILLING TO RESPOND TO THE POPE -- AND IS CLEARLY SIGNALING ITS INTEREST IN ADDITIONAL SIGNS OF U.S. SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN RUSSIA AND SPECIFICALLY FOR CLARIFICATION OF THE VISA SITUATION FOR PRIESTS. WE WOULD WELCOME EMBASSY MOSCOW'S ASSESSMENT OF WHAT IS BEHIND THE CURRENT STONEWALLING AND HOW BEST TO ENGAGE THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT ON THIS ISSUE. HARDT NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S) CONFIDENTIAL > 2002VATICA03823 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL