ABM CODE OF CONDUCT DEMARCHE

UNCLAS VATICAN 005546 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE, NP/CBM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL MNUC TSPA ETTC MASS VT SUBJECT: ABM CODE OF CONDUCT DEMARCHE REF: STATE 214218 POST DELIVERED REFTEL POINTS AND DRAFT ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE CODE OF CONDUCT TO VATICAN MFA DIRECTOR FOR UN DISARMAMENT UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 VATICA 05546 141609Z AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, MR. PAOLO CONVERSI. CONVERSI SAID THE VATICAN "IS INTERESTED" IN PARTICIPATING IN THE CODE OF CONDUCT BUT IS NOT YET DECIDED. VATICAN REPS ATTENDED THE MARCH 2002 MADRID PREPARATORY MEETING ON THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND TWO REPS FROM THE NUNCIATURE IN THE HAGUE WILL ATTEND THE NEXT MEETING. POST NOTES THAT THE VATICAN HAS SIGNED ON TO OTHER SUCH EFFORTS (E.G. THE CWC) IN ORDER TO LEND ITS MORAL VOICE TO DISARMAMENT. WE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH VATICAN CONTACTS AND URGE THEM TO SIGN UP TO THE INTERNATIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT AGAINST MISSILE PROLIFERATION AS WELL. NICHOLSON UNCLASSIFIED > 2002VATICA05546 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED