Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02VATICAN4361
2002-09-08 10:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:
THE ZAMBIAN MAIZE CRISIS: MOVING THE HOLY SEE TO
how-toThis 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 SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 004361
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),AF/S, EB (CEKUTA),
EB/TTP/ABT (C. JACKSON); ROME FOR HARDY-BASS, ROME PLEASE
PASS FODAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2012
TAGS: PREL EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: THE ZAMBIAN MAIZE CRISIS: MOVING THE HOLY SEE TO
"YES" ON BIOTECH AGRICULTURE
REF: A. A) LUSAKA 1481
B. B) LUSAKA 1468
C. C) LUSAKA 1383
D. D) STATE 163549
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 04361 01 OF 03 081058Z
E. E) STATE 163951
F. F) USUN 2146
G. G) FROWICK/MOZENA EMAILS 08/22/2002
H. H) STATE 152979
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR JIM NICHOLSON,
REASON E.O. 12958 1.5 (B) (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 004361
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),AF/S, EB (CEKUTA),
EB/TTP/ABT (C. JACKSON); ROME FOR HARDY-BASS, ROME PLEASE
PASS FODAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2012
TAGS: PREL EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: THE ZAMBIAN MAIZE CRISIS: MOVING THE HOLY SEE TO
"YES" ON BIOTECH AGRICULTURE
REF: A. A) LUSAKA 1481
B. B) LUSAKA 1468
C. C) LUSAKA 1383
D. D) STATE 163549
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 04361 01 OF 03 081058Z
E. E) STATE 163951
F. F) USUN 2146
G. G) FROWICK/MOZENA EMAILS 08/22/2002
H. H) STATE 152979
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR JIM NICHOLSON,
REASON E.O. 12958 1.5 (B) (D).
1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. SEE PARA 3.
2. (C) SUMMARY: SINCE THE START OF THE ZAMBIAN GMO FOOD AID
CRISIS, EMBASSY VATICAN HAS PRESSED HARD AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF
THE HOLY SEE FOR A STRONG STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF U.S. FOOD
ASSISTANCE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA AND BEYOND. BUILDING ON OVER
A YEAR OF DIALOGUE ON THE SAFETY OF GMO'S, THE VATICAN IS
FINALLY MOVING TOWARD ACCEPTANCE OF THE SAFETY OF GMO'S, BUT
HAS PREFERRED TO FOCUS NARROWLY ON THE SITUATION IN ZAMBIA.
OUR MUTUAL INTEREST IN FEEDING THE WORLD'S HUNGRY OFFERS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE A MORE POSITIVE PUBLIC POSITION FROM
THE HOLY SEE ON THE SAFETY OF BIOTECH FOOD FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION. WHILE SUCH A STATEMENT WOULD DOUBTLESS BE
CAREFULLY WORDED AND NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATE VATICAN
CONCERNS AT ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS FROM BIOTECH CROPS, IT
COULD FACILITATE OUR BROADER EFFORT TO ERODE EUROPEAN AND
OTHER INTERNATIONAL NON-SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIONS TO BIOTECH
FOODS. END SUMMARY.
3. (C) ACTION REQUESTED: FOLLOWING UP ON THE SECRETARY'S
STATEMENT ON GMO FOODS AT THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT, POST
REQUESTS DEPARTMENT CONSIDER A LETTER FROM SECRETARY POWELL
TO VATICAN FM TAURAN URGING THE HOLY SEE TO ISSUE A PUBLIC
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 VATICA 04361 01 OF 03 081058Z
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFETY FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OF
US FOOD ASSISTANCE, SIMILAR TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND UN
STATEMENTS IN REFS C AND F (PROPOSED TEXT AT PARA. 9 BELOW).
LETTER SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR DELIVERY BY AMBASSADOR AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE, IDEALLY BEFORE AMBASSADOR RETURNS TO THE U.S.
FOR CONSULTATIONS ON SEPTEMBER 13. SEE PARA 9 FOR SUGGESTED
DRAFT LANGUAGE FOR THE LETTER. END ACTION REQUEST.
4. (SBU) FOLLOWING REPORTS THAT CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN ZAMBIA
HAD SUPPORTED THE GOZ'S DECISION TO WITHHOLD U.S. PROVIDED
FOOD AID (REF G),POLOFF MET AUGUST 22 WITH UNDERSECRETARY OF
THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES AND MIGRANT PEOPLES
FATHER MICHAEL BLUME, AND AUGUST 23 WITH JESUIT REFUGEE
SERVICE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA JENNY CAFISO TO
URGE THEM TO MAKE CLEAR THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE SAFETY OF U.S.
FOOD ASSISTANCE. BOTH TOOK ON BOARD OUR POINTS ON FOOD AID
FROM REF H, AND REFERRED US TO THE JESUITS AT THE LUSAKA
OFFICE OF THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE. SUBSEQUENTLY, DCM AND
POLOFF MET AUGUST 29 WITH VATICAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER,
MONSIGNOR CELESTINO MIGLIORE. MIGLIORE HAD NOT HEARD OF THE
ZAMBIAN IMBROGLIO, BUT PROMISED TO LOOK INTO IT.
5. (C) AT A SEPTEMBER 5 FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH VATICAN MFA
SOUTHERN AFRICA DIRECTOR MONS. FRANCESCO CAVINA, POLOFF
OFFERED COPIES OF THE EC AND UN STATEMENTS SUPPORTING US FOOD
ASSISTANCE. NOTING THAT THE USG AND HOLY SEE SHARE A STRONG
COMMON INTEREST IN HELPING TO FEED HUNGRY PEOPLE AROUND THE
WORLD, POLOFF URGED THE HOLY SEE TO ISSUE A STATEMENT SIMILAR
TO THOSE OF THE EC, UN, AND WHO. CAVINA, WHO HAD BEEN
BRIEFED BY MIGLIORE, SAID THE VATICAN HAD DECIDED TO TAKE
ACTION TO CLARIFY THE CHURCH'S POSITION. THEIR PLAN OF
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 VATICA 04361 01 OF 03 081058Z
ACTION, HOWEVER, CENTERED ON A STATEMENT BY THE ZAMBIAN
BISHOPS' COUNCIL EMPHASIZING THE NEED TO FEED THE HUNGRY NOW,
WITH THE FOOD ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE ALREADY IN ZAMBIA, WHILE
SETTING ASIDE FOR LATER ARGUMENTS ABOUT AGRICULTURAL
SUSTAINABILITY. CAVINA ALSO SAID THE PAPAL NUNCIO IN LUSAKA
HAD CONVOKED THE JESUIT DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION (REF G) AND WOULD REMIND HIM OF THE
NEED NOT TO CONTRADICT BASIC HOLY SEE POSITIONS ON SOLIDARITY
(I.E. ON THE MORAL IMPERATIVE OF USING AVAILABLE FOOD TO FEED
HUNGRY PEOPLE).
6. (C) WHILE WELCOMING THIS PROGRESS, POLOFF URGED CAVINA TO
WORK UP A BROADER MESSAGE ON THE SAFETY OF BIOTECH FOOD,
DELIVERED FROM THE HOLY SEE ITSELF. UNDERSCORING THE REF H
POINT THAT THE USG PROVIDES 63 PERCENT OF THE WFP'S GLOBAL
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTO3377
PAGE 01 VATICA 04361 02 OF 03 081059Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00
COME-00 USNW-00 DODE-00 WHA-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00
EB-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00
LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00 PMB-00
DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /009W
-------------- E4181B 081059Z /38
O 081037Z SEP 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY HARARE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LILONGWE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LUANDA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
USINT HAVANA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 VATICAN 004361
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),AF/S, EB (CEKUTA),
EB/TTP/ABT (C. JACKSON); ROME FOR HARDY-BASS, ROME PLEASE
PASS FODAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2012
TAGS: PREL EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: THE ZAMBIAN MAIZE CRISIS: MOVING THE HOLY SEE TO
"YES" ON BIOTECH AGRICULTURE
FOOD ASSISTANCE AND THE DANGEROUS PRECEDENT THAT WOULD BE SET
BY THE ZAMBIAN REJECTION OF U.S. MAIZE, POLOFF INSISTED THAT
THE ISSUE WAS FAR BROADER, WITH POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS
CONSEQUENCES FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD. CAVINA WAS
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 04361 02 OF 03 081059Z
NON-COMMITTAL, NOTING THAT THE HOLY SEE HAD A DELICATE
RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESIDENT MWANAWASA, A SEVENTH DAY
ADVENTIST. CAVINA RELATED THAT THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT HAD
JUST LAST JULY COLLUDED IN A "BAIT AND SWITCH" SETUP OF THE
PAPAL NUNCIO OVER THE ARCHBISHOP MALINGO ISSUE. (NOTE:
MALINGO IS THE POPULIST FAITH HEALING ZAMBIAN ARCHBISHOP WHO
ALMOST GOT HIMSELF EXCOMMUNICATED LAST YEAR AFTER "MARRYING"
KOREAN DIVORCEE MARIA SUNG IN A MASS UNIFICATION CHURCH
CEREMONY IN NEW YORK. SUNG, NOW HIS EX-"WIFE," CURRENTLY
RESIDES IN LUSAKA AND, ACCORDING TO CAVINA, AMBUSHED THE
NUNCIO IN FRONT OF TV CAMERAS INSIDE THE ZAMBIAN MFA. END
NOTE.)
--------------
COMMENT:
--------------
7. (C) FOR THE PAST EIGHTEEN MONTHS POST HAS WORKED TO GET TO
HOLY SEE TO BUILD ON ITS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC PUBLIC STANCE
TOWARDS BIOTECHNOLOGY. IN OUR VIEW, A STRONG PUBLIC STANCE IN
SUPPORT OF AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IS A NATURAL FOR ANYONE
INTERESTED IN PROMOTING FOOD SECURITY IN THE DEVELOPING
WORLD. THE ZAMBIAN FOOD CRISIS, AS TRAGIC AS IT IS, MAY
PRESENT A "DEFINING MOMENT" FOR OUR BIOTECH DIALOGUE WITH THE
HOLY SEE. NOBODY, AND ESPECIALLY NOT THE POPE, CAN ARGUE
THAT A PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE SHOULD APPLY WHEN IT MEANS
REAL HUMAN BEINGS WILL GO HUNGRY OR EVEN STARVE. WITH U.S.
FOOD AID SO VITAL TO ADDRESSING THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN FOOD
CRISIS, THE HOLY SEE SHOULD BE SINGING FROM THE SAME SHEET
WITH US. WE ARE, IN FACT, COORDINATING POSITIONS AT THE UN ON
A CONVENTION TO BAN ALL FORMS OF HUMAN CLONING -- THE "FLIP
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 VATICA 04361 02 OF 03 081059Z
SIDE" OF THE GMO FOOD DEBATE. POST BELIEVES THAT THE TIME IS
RIGHT FOR A HIGH-LEVEL APPROACH, WHICH COULD NUDGE THE HOLY
SEE OFF THE FENCE, AT LEAST AS REGARDS THE SAFETY FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION OF BIOTECH FOODS. WHILE ANY HOLY SEE STATEMENT
WOULD DOUBTLESS BE CAREFULLY WORDED AND NOT ERASE VATICAN
CONCERNS AT ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS FROM BIOTECH CROPS, IT
COULD GREATLY FACILITATE OUR BROADER EFFORT TO ERODE EUROPEAN
AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL OBJECTIONS TO AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS
OF BIOTECH FOODS. (NOTE: WE WILL NEED TO ADDRESS THE HOLY
SEE'S CONCERNS AT POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF GMO CROPS
IN THE FUTURE, AND POST HAS AN ACTION PLAN FOR THAT TO BE
REPORTED SEPTEL. END NOTE.)
8. (SBU) POST REQUESTS THAT SECRETARY POWELL CONSIDER
SENDING VATICAN FM ARCHBISHOP JEAN LOUIS TAURAN A LETTER
URGING THE HOLY SEE TO ISSUE A STATEMENT THAT TRACKS WITH THE
EXISTING UN AND EC STATEMENTS ON BIOTECH FOOD SAFETY. POST
OFFERS BELOW SUGGESTED LANGUAGE FOR A POWELL/TAURAN LETTER,
SUBSTANTIALLY DRAWN FROM THE LARSON/DIOUF LETTER TRANSMITTED
IN REF E.
9. (SBU) PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR LETTER TO VATICAN FM TAURAN,
BEGIN TEXT:
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
THE UNITED STATES IS DEEPLY CONCERNED AT THE UNFOLDING
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. I KNOW THAT HOLY
SEE, WHERE THE CENTRALITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON IS OF PARAMOUNT
CONCERN, SHARES OUR CONCERN ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF AFRICAN
LIVES NOW AT RISK FROM HUNGER AND STARVATION.
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 VATICA 04361 02 OF 03 081059Z
THE UNITED STATES IS CURRENTLY SEEKING TO HELP PROVIDE SAFE
FOOD TO ALL THOSE IN NEED -- IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AND ELSEWHERE
WHERE NEEDS ARE GREAT. THE UNITED STATES PROVIDES
SIXTY-THREE PERCENT OF THE FOOD ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO THE WORLD
FOOD PROGRAM, AND ALREADY THE UNITED STATES HAS PROVIDED OVER
SEVENTY PERCENT OF THE FOOD ASSISTANCE ON THE GROUND IN
SOUTHERN AFRICA. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE SUPPLY TO REPLACE
THE RISING NEED FOR FOOD TO AVOID MASS STARVATION IN THIS
REGION. UNFORTUNATELY, SOME INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS,
INCLUDING SOME ELEMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, HAVE ARGUED
AGAINST DISTRIBUTING U.S. FOOD ASSISTANCE BECAUSE IT CANNOT
BE GUARANTEED TO BE FREE OF "TRANSGENIC" SEEDS.
THE UNITED STATES IS DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT CONFUSION ABOUT
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ6341
PAGE 01 VATICA 04361 03 OF 03 081059Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00
COME-00 USNW-00 DODE-00 WHA-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00
EB-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00
LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00 PMB-00
DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /009W
-------------- E4181F 081059Z /38
O 081037Z SEP 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY HARARE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LILONGWE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LUANDA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
USINT HAVANA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 VATICAN 004361
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),AF/S, EB (CEKUTA),
EB/TTP/ABT (C. JACKSON); ROME FOR HARDY-BASS, ROME PLEASE
PASS FODAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2012
TAGS: PREL EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: THE ZAMBIAN MAIZE CRISIS: MOVING THE HOLY SEE TO
"YES" ON BIOTECH AGRICULTURE
THE SAFETY OF THESE FOOD PRODUCTS
-- THE SAME FOOD AS IS CONSUMED BY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS
EVERY DAY -- WILL LEAD TO FURTHER HUNGER AND STARVATION. WE
KNOW THAT COUNTRIES WISH TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES ABOUT FOOD
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 04361 03 OF 03 081059Z
SAFETY FOR THE GOOD OF THEIR PEOPLE. THE SCIENCE ON THESE
FOOD PRODUCTS IS CLEAR: BIOTECH FOODS AVAILABLE TODAY ARE AS
SAFE TO CONSUME AS ARE THEIR CONVENTIONAL COUNTERPARTS.
THE UNITED NATIONS, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, AND THE
EUROPEAN COMMISSION AMONG OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE RECENTLY
ISSUED STATEMENTS SUPPORTING THIS VIEW. THE UNITED STATES
BELIEVES THAT A CLEAR AND UNAMBIGUOUS STATEMENT FROM THE HOLY
SEE, A MORAL LEADER WHOSE VOICE IS RESPECTED THE WORLD OVER,
REGARDING THE SAFETY OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS WOULD
GREATLY HELP TO OVERCOME PREVAILING HESITATIONS IN AFRICA AND
BEYOND. IN THIS WAY, THE HOLY SEE COULD MAKE A POSITIVE
CONTRIBUTION TO ALLEVIATING THE SUFFERING OF HUNGRY PEOPLE
NOT JUST IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, BUT EVERYWHERE PEOPLE RECEIVE
FOOD ASSISTANCE.
IF WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO OVERCOME THIS GRAVE CRISIS OF
HUMAN SUFFERING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, WE CAN THEN TURN OUR
ATTENTION TO REVITALIZING AFRICAN AGRICULTURE AND
PRODUCTIVITY TO PREVENT FUTURE CRISES. I LOOK FORWARD TO A
POSITIVE COLLABORATION ON THIS VITAL MATTER.
SINCERELY,
COLIN POWELL
SECRETARY OF STATE
SIPDIS
END TEXT.
NICHOLSON
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 VATICA 04361 03 OF 03 081059Z
CONFIDENTIAL
>
2002VATICA04361 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),AF/S, EB (CEKUTA),
EB/TTP/ABT (C. JACKSON); ROME FOR HARDY-BASS, ROME PLEASE
PASS FODAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2012
TAGS: PREL EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: THE ZAMBIAN MAIZE CRISIS: MOVING THE HOLY SEE TO
"YES" ON BIOTECH AGRICULTURE
REF: A. A) LUSAKA 1481
B. B) LUSAKA 1468
C. C) LUSAKA 1383
D. D) STATE 163549
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 04361 01 OF 03 081058Z
E. E) STATE 163951
F. F) USUN 2146
G. G) FROWICK/MOZENA EMAILS 08/22/2002
H. H) STATE 152979
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR JIM NICHOLSON,
REASON E.O. 12958 1.5 (B) (D).
1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. SEE PARA 3.
2. (C) SUMMARY: SINCE THE START OF THE ZAMBIAN GMO FOOD AID
CRISIS, EMBASSY VATICAN HAS PRESSED HARD AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF
THE HOLY SEE FOR A STRONG STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF U.S. FOOD
ASSISTANCE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA AND BEYOND. BUILDING ON OVER
A YEAR OF DIALOGUE ON THE SAFETY OF GMO'S, THE VATICAN IS
FINALLY MOVING TOWARD ACCEPTANCE OF THE SAFETY OF GMO'S, BUT
HAS PREFERRED TO FOCUS NARROWLY ON THE SITUATION IN ZAMBIA.
OUR MUTUAL INTEREST IN FEEDING THE WORLD'S HUNGRY OFFERS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE A MORE POSITIVE PUBLIC POSITION FROM
THE HOLY SEE ON THE SAFETY OF BIOTECH FOOD FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION. WHILE SUCH A STATEMENT WOULD DOUBTLESS BE
CAREFULLY WORDED AND NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATE VATICAN
CONCERNS AT ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS FROM BIOTECH CROPS, IT
COULD FACILITATE OUR BROADER EFFORT TO ERODE EUROPEAN AND
OTHER INTERNATIONAL NON-SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIONS TO BIOTECH
FOODS. END SUMMARY.
3. (C) ACTION REQUESTED: FOLLOWING UP ON THE SECRETARY'S
STATEMENT ON GMO FOODS AT THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT, POST
REQUESTS DEPARTMENT CONSIDER A LETTER FROM SECRETARY POWELL
TO VATICAN FM TAURAN URGING THE HOLY SEE TO ISSUE A PUBLIC
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 VATICA 04361 01 OF 03 081058Z
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFETY FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION OF
US FOOD ASSISTANCE, SIMILAR TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND UN
STATEMENTS IN REFS C AND F (PROPOSED TEXT AT PARA. 9 BELOW).
LETTER SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR DELIVERY BY AMBASSADOR AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE, IDEALLY BEFORE AMBASSADOR RETURNS TO THE U.S.
FOR CONSULTATIONS ON SEPTEMBER 13. SEE PARA 9 FOR SUGGESTED
DRAFT LANGUAGE FOR THE LETTER. END ACTION REQUEST.
4. (SBU) FOLLOWING REPORTS THAT CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN ZAMBIA
HAD SUPPORTED THE GOZ'S DECISION TO WITHHOLD U.S. PROVIDED
FOOD AID (REF G),POLOFF MET AUGUST 22 WITH UNDERSECRETARY OF
THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES AND MIGRANT PEOPLES
FATHER MICHAEL BLUME, AND AUGUST 23 WITH JESUIT REFUGEE
SERVICE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA JENNY CAFISO TO
URGE THEM TO MAKE CLEAR THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE SAFETY OF U.S.
FOOD ASSISTANCE. BOTH TOOK ON BOARD OUR POINTS ON FOOD AID
FROM REF H, AND REFERRED US TO THE JESUITS AT THE LUSAKA
OFFICE OF THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE. SUBSEQUENTLY, DCM AND
POLOFF MET AUGUST 29 WITH VATICAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER,
MONSIGNOR CELESTINO MIGLIORE. MIGLIORE HAD NOT HEARD OF THE
ZAMBIAN IMBROGLIO, BUT PROMISED TO LOOK INTO IT.
5. (C) AT A SEPTEMBER 5 FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH VATICAN MFA
SOUTHERN AFRICA DIRECTOR MONS. FRANCESCO CAVINA, POLOFF
OFFERED COPIES OF THE EC AND UN STATEMENTS SUPPORTING US FOOD
ASSISTANCE. NOTING THAT THE USG AND HOLY SEE SHARE A STRONG
COMMON INTEREST IN HELPING TO FEED HUNGRY PEOPLE AROUND THE
WORLD, POLOFF URGED THE HOLY SEE TO ISSUE A STATEMENT SIMILAR
TO THOSE OF THE EC, UN, AND WHO. CAVINA, WHO HAD BEEN
BRIEFED BY MIGLIORE, SAID THE VATICAN HAD DECIDED TO TAKE
ACTION TO CLARIFY THE CHURCH'S POSITION. THEIR PLAN OF
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 VATICA 04361 01 OF 03 081058Z
ACTION, HOWEVER, CENTERED ON A STATEMENT BY THE ZAMBIAN
BISHOPS' COUNCIL EMPHASIZING THE NEED TO FEED THE HUNGRY NOW,
WITH THE FOOD ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE ALREADY IN ZAMBIA, WHILE
SETTING ASIDE FOR LATER ARGUMENTS ABOUT AGRICULTURAL
SUSTAINABILITY. CAVINA ALSO SAID THE PAPAL NUNCIO IN LUSAKA
HAD CONVOKED THE JESUIT DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION (REF G) AND WOULD REMIND HIM OF THE
NEED NOT TO CONTRADICT BASIC HOLY SEE POSITIONS ON SOLIDARITY
(I.E. ON THE MORAL IMPERATIVE OF USING AVAILABLE FOOD TO FEED
HUNGRY PEOPLE).
6. (C) WHILE WELCOMING THIS PROGRESS, POLOFF URGED CAVINA TO
WORK UP A BROADER MESSAGE ON THE SAFETY OF BIOTECH FOOD,
DELIVERED FROM THE HOLY SEE ITSELF. UNDERSCORING THE REF H
POINT THAT THE USG PROVIDES 63 PERCENT OF THE WFP'S GLOBAL
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTO3377
PAGE 01 VATICA 04361 02 OF 03 081059Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00
COME-00 USNW-00 DODE-00 WHA-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00
EB-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00
LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00 PMB-00
DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /009W
-------------- E4181B 081059Z /38
O 081037Z SEP 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY HARARE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LILONGWE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LUANDA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
USINT HAVANA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 VATICAN 004361
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),AF/S, EB (CEKUTA),
EB/TTP/ABT (C. JACKSON); ROME FOR HARDY-BASS, ROME PLEASE
PASS FODAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2012
TAGS: PREL EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: THE ZAMBIAN MAIZE CRISIS: MOVING THE HOLY SEE TO
"YES" ON BIOTECH AGRICULTURE
FOOD ASSISTANCE AND THE DANGEROUS PRECEDENT THAT WOULD BE SET
BY THE ZAMBIAN REJECTION OF U.S. MAIZE, POLOFF INSISTED THAT
THE ISSUE WAS FAR BROADER, WITH POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS
CONSEQUENCES FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD. CAVINA WAS
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 04361 02 OF 03 081059Z
NON-COMMITTAL, NOTING THAT THE HOLY SEE HAD A DELICATE
RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESIDENT MWANAWASA, A SEVENTH DAY
ADVENTIST. CAVINA RELATED THAT THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT HAD
JUST LAST JULY COLLUDED IN A "BAIT AND SWITCH" SETUP OF THE
PAPAL NUNCIO OVER THE ARCHBISHOP MALINGO ISSUE. (NOTE:
MALINGO IS THE POPULIST FAITH HEALING ZAMBIAN ARCHBISHOP WHO
ALMOST GOT HIMSELF EXCOMMUNICATED LAST YEAR AFTER "MARRYING"
KOREAN DIVORCEE MARIA SUNG IN A MASS UNIFICATION CHURCH
CEREMONY IN NEW YORK. SUNG, NOW HIS EX-"WIFE," CURRENTLY
RESIDES IN LUSAKA AND, ACCORDING TO CAVINA, AMBUSHED THE
NUNCIO IN FRONT OF TV CAMERAS INSIDE THE ZAMBIAN MFA. END
NOTE.)
--------------
COMMENT:
--------------
7. (C) FOR THE PAST EIGHTEEN MONTHS POST HAS WORKED TO GET TO
HOLY SEE TO BUILD ON ITS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC PUBLIC STANCE
TOWARDS BIOTECHNOLOGY. IN OUR VIEW, A STRONG PUBLIC STANCE IN
SUPPORT OF AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IS A NATURAL FOR ANYONE
INTERESTED IN PROMOTING FOOD SECURITY IN THE DEVELOPING
WORLD. THE ZAMBIAN FOOD CRISIS, AS TRAGIC AS IT IS, MAY
PRESENT A "DEFINING MOMENT" FOR OUR BIOTECH DIALOGUE WITH THE
HOLY SEE. NOBODY, AND ESPECIALLY NOT THE POPE, CAN ARGUE
THAT A PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE SHOULD APPLY WHEN IT MEANS
REAL HUMAN BEINGS WILL GO HUNGRY OR EVEN STARVE. WITH U.S.
FOOD AID SO VITAL TO ADDRESSING THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN FOOD
CRISIS, THE HOLY SEE SHOULD BE SINGING FROM THE SAME SHEET
WITH US. WE ARE, IN FACT, COORDINATING POSITIONS AT THE UN ON
A CONVENTION TO BAN ALL FORMS OF HUMAN CLONING -- THE "FLIP
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PAGE 03 VATICA 04361 02 OF 03 081059Z
SIDE" OF THE GMO FOOD DEBATE. POST BELIEVES THAT THE TIME IS
RIGHT FOR A HIGH-LEVEL APPROACH, WHICH COULD NUDGE THE HOLY
SEE OFF THE FENCE, AT LEAST AS REGARDS THE SAFETY FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION OF BIOTECH FOODS. WHILE ANY HOLY SEE STATEMENT
WOULD DOUBTLESS BE CAREFULLY WORDED AND NOT ERASE VATICAN
CONCERNS AT ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS FROM BIOTECH CROPS, IT
COULD GREATLY FACILITATE OUR BROADER EFFORT TO ERODE EUROPEAN
AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL OBJECTIONS TO AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS
OF BIOTECH FOODS. (NOTE: WE WILL NEED TO ADDRESS THE HOLY
SEE'S CONCERNS AT POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF GMO CROPS
IN THE FUTURE, AND POST HAS AN ACTION PLAN FOR THAT TO BE
REPORTED SEPTEL. END NOTE.)
8. (SBU) POST REQUESTS THAT SECRETARY POWELL CONSIDER
SENDING VATICAN FM ARCHBISHOP JEAN LOUIS TAURAN A LETTER
URGING THE HOLY SEE TO ISSUE A STATEMENT THAT TRACKS WITH THE
EXISTING UN AND EC STATEMENTS ON BIOTECH FOOD SAFETY. POST
OFFERS BELOW SUGGESTED LANGUAGE FOR A POWELL/TAURAN LETTER,
SUBSTANTIALLY DRAWN FROM THE LARSON/DIOUF LETTER TRANSMITTED
IN REF E.
9. (SBU) PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR LETTER TO VATICAN FM TAURAN,
BEGIN TEXT:
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
THE UNITED STATES IS DEEPLY CONCERNED AT THE UNFOLDING
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. I KNOW THAT HOLY
SEE, WHERE THE CENTRALITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON IS OF PARAMOUNT
CONCERN, SHARES OUR CONCERN ABOUT THE MILLIONS OF AFRICAN
LIVES NOW AT RISK FROM HUNGER AND STARVATION.
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PAGE 04 VATICA 04361 02 OF 03 081059Z
THE UNITED STATES IS CURRENTLY SEEKING TO HELP PROVIDE SAFE
FOOD TO ALL THOSE IN NEED -- IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AND ELSEWHERE
WHERE NEEDS ARE GREAT. THE UNITED STATES PROVIDES
SIXTY-THREE PERCENT OF THE FOOD ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO THE WORLD
FOOD PROGRAM, AND ALREADY THE UNITED STATES HAS PROVIDED OVER
SEVENTY PERCENT OF THE FOOD ASSISTANCE ON THE GROUND IN
SOUTHERN AFRICA. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE SUPPLY TO REPLACE
THE RISING NEED FOR FOOD TO AVOID MASS STARVATION IN THIS
REGION. UNFORTUNATELY, SOME INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS,
INCLUDING SOME ELEMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, HAVE ARGUED
AGAINST DISTRIBUTING U.S. FOOD ASSISTANCE BECAUSE IT CANNOT
BE GUARANTEED TO BE FREE OF "TRANSGENIC" SEEDS.
THE UNITED STATES IS DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT CONFUSION ABOUT
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CONFIDENTIAL PTQ6341
PAGE 01 VATICA 04361 03 OF 03 081059Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00
COME-00 USNW-00 DODE-00 WHA-00 PERC-00 SRPP-00 DS-00
EB-00 FDRE-01 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00
LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SCT-00
SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00 PMB-00
DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /009W
-------------- E4181F 081059Z /38
O 081037Z SEP 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY HARARE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LILONGWE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LUANDA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LUSAKA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY MAPUTO PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
USINT HAVANA PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 VATICAN 004361
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),AF/S, EB (CEKUTA),
EB/TTP/ABT (C. JACKSON); ROME FOR HARDY-BASS, ROME PLEASE
PASS FODAG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2012
TAGS: PREL EAID EAGR EAID EAGR EAID EAGR VT VTPREL VTPREL
SUBJECT: THE ZAMBIAN MAIZE CRISIS: MOVING THE HOLY SEE TO
"YES" ON BIOTECH AGRICULTURE
THE SAFETY OF THESE FOOD PRODUCTS
-- THE SAME FOOD AS IS CONSUMED BY MILLIONS OF AMERICANS
EVERY DAY -- WILL LEAD TO FURTHER HUNGER AND STARVATION. WE
KNOW THAT COUNTRIES WISH TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES ABOUT FOOD
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PAGE 02 VATICA 04361 03 OF 03 081059Z
SAFETY FOR THE GOOD OF THEIR PEOPLE. THE SCIENCE ON THESE
FOOD PRODUCTS IS CLEAR: BIOTECH FOODS AVAILABLE TODAY ARE AS
SAFE TO CONSUME AS ARE THEIR CONVENTIONAL COUNTERPARTS.
THE UNITED NATIONS, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, AND THE
EUROPEAN COMMISSION AMONG OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE RECENTLY
ISSUED STATEMENTS SUPPORTING THIS VIEW. THE UNITED STATES
BELIEVES THAT A CLEAR AND UNAMBIGUOUS STATEMENT FROM THE HOLY
SEE, A MORAL LEADER WHOSE VOICE IS RESPECTED THE WORLD OVER,
REGARDING THE SAFETY OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS WOULD
GREATLY HELP TO OVERCOME PREVAILING HESITATIONS IN AFRICA AND
BEYOND. IN THIS WAY, THE HOLY SEE COULD MAKE A POSITIVE
CONTRIBUTION TO ALLEVIATING THE SUFFERING OF HUNGRY PEOPLE
NOT JUST IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, BUT EVERYWHERE PEOPLE RECEIVE
FOOD ASSISTANCE.
IF WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO OVERCOME THIS GRAVE CRISIS OF
HUMAN SUFFERING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, WE CAN THEN TURN OUR
ATTENTION TO REVITALIZING AFRICAN AGRICULTURE AND
PRODUCTIVITY TO PREVENT FUTURE CRISES. I LOOK FORWARD TO A
POSITIVE COLLABORATION ON THIS VITAL MATTER.
SINCERELY,
COLIN POWELL
SECRETARY OF STATE
SIPDIS
END TEXT.
NICHOLSON
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PAGE 03 VATICA 04361 03 OF 03 081059Z
CONFIDENTIAL
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2002VATICA04361 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL