Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02VATICAN6156
2002-12-30 13:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:
ADM. JOHNSON/AMB. NICHOLSON BALKAN TRIP FOCUSES ON
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 006156
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),EUR/SCE, PD/ECA (MINER)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KIRF KPAO KIRF KPAO VT VTPREL
SUBJECT: ADM. JOHNSON/AMB. NICHOLSON BALKAN TRIP FOCUSES ON
INTER-RELIGIOUS, INTERETHNIC RECONCILIATION
REF: SIDEREAS/FROWICK EMAIL DECEMBER 23
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 006156
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),EUR/SCE, PD/ECA (MINER)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KIRF KPAO KIRF KPAO VT VTPREL
SUBJECT: ADM. JOHNSON/AMB. NICHOLSON BALKAN TRIP FOCUSES ON
INTER-RELIGIOUS, INTERETHNIC RECONCILIATION
REF: SIDEREAS/FROWICK EMAIL DECEMBER 23
1. SUMMARY: AT THE INVITATION OF AFSOUTH CINC ADMIRAL
JOHNSON, AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON TRAVELED TO THE BALKANS TO
MEET WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN BOSNIA AND KOSOVO AND WITH
AMBASSADOR BUTLER IN SKOPJE, TO PROMOTE RELIGIOUS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 VATICA 06156 01 OF 02 301354Z
RECONCILIATION EFFORTS IN THE REGION. IN BOSNIA THE
DELEGATION MET WITH THE CATHOLIC, MUSLIM AND JEWISH MEMBERS
OF THE B-H INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL (IRC) WHO ADMITTED
CONTINUING CHALLENGES IN FORGING RECONCILIATION IN BOSNIA;
CATHOLIC CARDINAL PULJIC FOCUSED ON NEED FOR REFUGEES TO BE
ABLE TO RETURN "WITH DIGNITY." AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON ALSO
BROKE AWAY FOR A BRIEF MEETING WITH FRANCISCAN FRIAR DZOLAN
TO DISCUSS THE FRANCISCANS' ATTITUDE TOWARD RECONCILIATION.
IN KOSOVO, THE DELEGATION VISITED AN EMBASSY VATICAN-
SPONSORED PROJECT FOR INTER-ETHNIC RECONCILIATION RUN BY THE
SANT'EGIDIO COMMUNITY. CHILDREN STUDYING IN THE "SCHOOL OF
PEACE" AT THE PRIZREN ALBANIAN NORMAL SCHOOL DEMONSTRATED AN
UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORICAL PHENOMENA SUCH AS THE HOLOCAUST
AND THE US CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND CLEARLY ENJOYED EACH
OTHER'S COMPANY. THE NEXT STEP IN PRIZREN SHOULD BE TO
INCORPORATE SERB CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM ALONG WITH THE
KOSOVAR ALBANIANS AND TURKS AND THE BOSNIACS CURRENTLY
INVOLVED. THE TRIP CONCLUDED WITH A LUNCH HOSTED BY COMKFOR
LTG MINI, WHO HAS URGED THE CATHOLIC BISHOP OF PRIZREN TO
PROMOTE SERB RETURNS AND ASKED EMBASSY VATICAN TO WORK WITH
THE USG TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE BISHOP TO DO SO. END SUMMARY.
-------------- ---
BOSNIAN INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL: MORE WORK TO DO
-------------- ---
2. CINC AFSOUTH ADMIRAL JOHNSON INVITED U.S. AMBASSADOR TO
THE HOLY SEE JIM NICHOLSON TO ACCOMPANY HIM ON A TRIP TO THE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 VATICA 06156 01 OF 02 301354Z
BALKANS DECEMBER 19-20, TO MEET WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS
WORKING FOR RECONCILIATION IN BOSNIA, AND TO VISIT AN
EMBASSY VATICAN-SPONSORED RECONCILIATION PROJECT IN PRIZREN,
YUGOSLAVIA. IN SARAJEVO AMBASSADOR BOND AND EMBASSY
SARAJEVO TEAM BRIEFED THE DELEGATION, NOTING THE GOOD
PROGRESS THE RELIGIOUS GROUPS HAD MADE IN DRAFTING A LAW ON
RELIGIONS (NOTE: OUR VATICAN CONTACTS BELIEVE THIS DRAFT LAW
PROVIDES "EXCELLENT GUARANTEES"). BRIEFERS NOTED THAT
PROBLEMS AMONG THE MOSTLY CATHOLIC CROATS CONTINUE, WITH THE
VATICAN RELUCTANT TO TAKE ON THE MORE NATIONALISTIC ELEMENTS
OF ITS OWN CLERGY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE CROAT
COMMUNITY HAS DEVELOPED A "MINORITY COMPLEX" AND THROWS UP
ITS OWN OBSTACLES TO CROAT REFUGEE RETURNS BY INSISTING THAT
ALL MUNICIPAL SERVICES BE REBUILT BEFORE RETURNS CAN OCCUR.
CARDINAL PULJIC HAS GREAT CREDIBILITY FROM WEATHERING THE
WAR IN SARAJEVO, BUT HE SHARES THIS "COMPLEX." THE CLERGY
NEED TO LET DOWN THEIR GUARD AND TAKE THE LEAD IN PROMOTING
INTER-RELIGIOUS RECONCILIATION. KEY MEASURES TO TAKE EARLY
ON WOULD BE PROMOTING VISITS TO EACH OTHER'S PLACES OF
WORSHIP, AND WORKING TOGETHER ON A SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
3. AMBASSADOR BOND, ADMIRAL JOHNSON, AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON
AND STAFF THEN MET WITH THREE OF THE FOUR RELIGIOUS LEADERS
IN SARAJEVO -- CATHOLIC CARDINAL PULIC, MUSLIM MUFTI CERIC,
AND JEWISH COMMUNITY LEADER DR. JAKOB FINCI. THE SERB
ORTHODOX COMMUNITY WAS NOT REPRESENTED BECAUSE METROPOLITAN
NIKOLAJ HAD OTHER COMMITMENTS. CERIC EXPRESSED THE GROUP'S
GRATITUDE TO THE US FOR HELPING END THE WAR AND BRINGING
SECURITY TO BOSNIA. HE WAS POSITIVE ON THE DRAFT LAW ON
RELIGIONS, NOTING IT WAS NOW BEFORE THE B-H ASSEMBLY. BOTH
CERIC AND FINCI SPOKE FRANKLY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES STILL
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 VATICA 06156 01 OF 02 301354Z
FACING THE IRC, IN PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES RESTORING
PROPERTIES AND DEVELOPING A COMMON PROPOSAL FOR RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. BOTH NOTED BOSNIA'S LONG
TRADITION OF RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AS A SOURCE OF HOPE FOR THE
FUTURE EVEN AS THEY DECRIED BOSNIAN POLITICAL LEADERS'
DEMAGOGUERY ON RELIGIOUS IDENTIFICATION. PULJIC SAID THERE
WAS NO ALTERNATIVE TO DIALOGUE AND ADMITTED THERE WAS MUCH
WORK YET TO BE DONE BEFORE BOSNIA COULD EMBARK ON A PATH
TOWARD "EUROPE." PULIC EMPHASIZED, AS PREDICTED, THE NEED
FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND FOR REFUGEES TO BE ABLE TO
RETURN TO THEIR ORIGINAL ABODES "NOT AS PAUPERS, BUT WITH
DIGNITY." ADMIRAL JOHNSON AND AMBASSADOR BOND AND
AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON URGED THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO EXERCISE
LEADERSHIP. ALL THREE FOCUSED ON THE NEED FOR THE IRC TO DO
MORE OUTSIDE OF SARAJEVO AND TO SHOW THE WORLD AN EXAMPLE OF
INTERFAITH RECONCILIATION AND COOPERATION.
4. AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON BROKE AWAY FOR A SHORT MEETING WITH
FRANCISCAN FRIAR MIJO DZOLAN, WHO, UNLIKE HIS CROAT
FRANCISCAN BROTHERS IN AND AROUND MOSTAR, HAS A STRONG TRACK
RECORD OF PROMOTING INTER-ETHNIC UNITY IN BOSNIA. HE
BRIEFED US ON HIS LATEST PROJECT -- A COMMUNITY HOUSE WHERE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ4336
PAGE 01 VATICA 06156 02 OF 02 301354Z
ACTION ECA-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AID-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00
INR-00 IO-00 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSAE-00
NSCE-00 OMB-01 PA-00 PER-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00
P-00 SCT-00 SP-00 IRM-00 SS-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
T-00 USIE-00 R-00 IIP-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00
DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /006W
-------------- 1E1992 301354Z /38
R 301340Z DEC 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC
INFO AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
AMEMBASSY SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 VATICAN 006156
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),EUR/SCE, PD/ECA (MINER)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KIRF KPAO KIRF KPAO VT VTPREL
SUBJECT: ADM. JOHNSON/AMB. NICHOLSON BALKAN TRIP FOCUSES ON
INTER-RELIGIOUS, INTERETHNIC RECONCILIATION
PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS AND ETHNICITIES COME TOGETHER TO SHARE
THEIR STORIES OF THE WAR, OBTAIN COUNSELING, AND REACH OUT
TO OTHERS. DZOLAN TOLD US THIS IS ONE SMALL EXAMPLE OF
BOSNIA'S TRADITIONAL TOLERANCE, BUT ONE HE HOPES WILL GROW.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 VATICA 06156 02 OF 02 301354Z
-------------- -
KOSOVO: RECONCILIATION WITH THE WRONG PARTNERS
-------------- -
5. IN KOSOVO, THE DELEGATION VISITED AN EMBASSY VATICAN-
SPONSORED PROJECT FOR INTER-ETHNIC RECONCILIATION RUN BY THE
SANT'EGIDIO COMMUNITY. WITH A USD 60,000 GRANT FROM PD/ECA,
SANT'EGIDIO (A LAY CATHOLIC COMMUNITY THAT FOCUSES ON
DEVELOPMENT AND RECONCILIATION IN AFRICA AND THE BALKANS)
DEVELOPED AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM THAT TRAINS
TEACHERS AND PROVIDES MATERIALS TO TEACH RECONCILIATION
TECHNIQUES. THE CHILDREN STUDYING IN THE "SCHOOL OF PEACE"
AT THE PRIZREN NORMAL SCHOOL SANG AND READ THEIR OWN TEXTS,
DEMONSTRATING AN UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORICAL PHENOMENA SUCH
AS THE HOLOCAUST AND THE U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. THE
CHILDREN CLEARLY ENJOYED EACH OTHER'S COMPANY, OFFERING HOPE
FOR THE YOUNG GENERATION T OVERCOME THEIR PARENTS'
HOSTILITY. WE NOTED, HOWEVER, THE ABSENCE OF SERB CHILDREN.
PER REF EMAIL, THE NEXT STEP IN PRIZREN SHOULD BE TO
INCORPORATE SERB CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM ALONG WITH THE
ALBANIANS, TURKS AND THE BOSNIACS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE
PRIZREN NORMAL SCHOOL.
6. THE TRIP CONCLUDED WITH A LUNCH HOSTED BY COMKFOR LTG
FABIO MINI FOR ADMIRAL JOHNSON, AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON, AND
NATIONAL COMMANDERS FROM THE ITALIAN, FRENCH AND GERMAN KFOR
CONTINGENTS. GENERAL MINI HAD VISITED WITH CATHOLIC BISHOP
MARKO SOPI (WHOSE APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATION IS CENTERED ON
PRIZREN). GENERAL MINI TOLD US HE HAD URGED BISHOP SOPI TO
INVOLVE HIMSELF MORE PUBLICLY IN PROMOTING SERB RETURNS.
MINI HOPED THAT SOPI WOULD VISIT A SERB ORTHODOX CHURCH OR
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 VATICA 06156 02 OF 02 301354Z
MONASTERY, AS A SYMBOL OF RECONCILIATION, BUT TO NO AVAIL.
MINI URGED AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON TO TAKE THIS UP WITH
CONTACTS IN THE HOLY SEE. THE AMBASSADOR PLEDGED TO DO SO
AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
7. AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON/EMBASSY VATICAN WOULD LIKE TO
CONVEY OUR GRATITUDE FOR THE OUTSTANDING BRIEFINGS AND
SUPPORT OFFERED BY AMBASSADORS BOND AND BUTLER AND THEIR
STAFFS, AND BY THE STAFF AT USOP. WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH
THE HOLY SEE TO URGE GREATER ENGAGEMENT TO PROMOTE
RECONCILIATION IN BOTH BOSNIA AND KOSOVO. POPE JOHN PAUL II
IS PREOCCUPIED WITH A POSSIBLE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS
DEVELOPING FROM THE U.S.-LED WAR ON TERRORISM, THUS THE HOLY
SEE WILL WANT TO DO EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO ENSURE THAT
RECONCILIATION MAKES PROGRESS IN THE BALKANS AS A POSITIVE
EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD. AS DISCUSSED WITH EMBASSY SARAJEVO
AND USOP, WE WILL BROACH WITH THE VATICAN THE POSSIBILITY OF
AN OFFICIAL VATICAN DELEGATION TO BOSNIA ATTEND THE OPENING
OF A REBUILT MOSQUE AS WELL AS MEANS TO ENERGIZE BISHOP SOPI
TO PROMOTE SERB RETURNS IN KOSOVO.
NICHOLSON
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002VATICA06156 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),EUR/SCE, PD/ECA (MINER)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KIRF KPAO KIRF KPAO VT VTPREL
SUBJECT: ADM. JOHNSON/AMB. NICHOLSON BALKAN TRIP FOCUSES ON
INTER-RELIGIOUS, INTERETHNIC RECONCILIATION
REF: SIDEREAS/FROWICK EMAIL DECEMBER 23
1. SUMMARY: AT THE INVITATION OF AFSOUTH CINC ADMIRAL
JOHNSON, AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON TRAVELED TO THE BALKANS TO
MEET WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN BOSNIA AND KOSOVO AND WITH
AMBASSADOR BUTLER IN SKOPJE, TO PROMOTE RELIGIOUS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 VATICA 06156 01 OF 02 301354Z
RECONCILIATION EFFORTS IN THE REGION. IN BOSNIA THE
DELEGATION MET WITH THE CATHOLIC, MUSLIM AND JEWISH MEMBERS
OF THE B-H INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL (IRC) WHO ADMITTED
CONTINUING CHALLENGES IN FORGING RECONCILIATION IN BOSNIA;
CATHOLIC CARDINAL PULJIC FOCUSED ON NEED FOR REFUGEES TO BE
ABLE TO RETURN "WITH DIGNITY." AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON ALSO
BROKE AWAY FOR A BRIEF MEETING WITH FRANCISCAN FRIAR DZOLAN
TO DISCUSS THE FRANCISCANS' ATTITUDE TOWARD RECONCILIATION.
IN KOSOVO, THE DELEGATION VISITED AN EMBASSY VATICAN-
SPONSORED PROJECT FOR INTER-ETHNIC RECONCILIATION RUN BY THE
SANT'EGIDIO COMMUNITY. CHILDREN STUDYING IN THE "SCHOOL OF
PEACE" AT THE PRIZREN ALBANIAN NORMAL SCHOOL DEMONSTRATED AN
UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORICAL PHENOMENA SUCH AS THE HOLOCAUST
AND THE US CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND CLEARLY ENJOYED EACH
OTHER'S COMPANY. THE NEXT STEP IN PRIZREN SHOULD BE TO
INCORPORATE SERB CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM ALONG WITH THE
KOSOVAR ALBANIANS AND TURKS AND THE BOSNIACS CURRENTLY
INVOLVED. THE TRIP CONCLUDED WITH A LUNCH HOSTED BY COMKFOR
LTG MINI, WHO HAS URGED THE CATHOLIC BISHOP OF PRIZREN TO
PROMOTE SERB RETURNS AND ASKED EMBASSY VATICAN TO WORK WITH
THE USG TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE BISHOP TO DO SO. END SUMMARY.
-------------- ---
BOSNIAN INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL: MORE WORK TO DO
-------------- ---
2. CINC AFSOUTH ADMIRAL JOHNSON INVITED U.S. AMBASSADOR TO
THE HOLY SEE JIM NICHOLSON TO ACCOMPANY HIM ON A TRIP TO THE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 VATICA 06156 01 OF 02 301354Z
BALKANS DECEMBER 19-20, TO MEET WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS
WORKING FOR RECONCILIATION IN BOSNIA, AND TO VISIT AN
EMBASSY VATICAN-SPONSORED RECONCILIATION PROJECT IN PRIZREN,
YUGOSLAVIA. IN SARAJEVO AMBASSADOR BOND AND EMBASSY
SARAJEVO TEAM BRIEFED THE DELEGATION, NOTING THE GOOD
PROGRESS THE RELIGIOUS GROUPS HAD MADE IN DRAFTING A LAW ON
RELIGIONS (NOTE: OUR VATICAN CONTACTS BELIEVE THIS DRAFT LAW
PROVIDES "EXCELLENT GUARANTEES"). BRIEFERS NOTED THAT
PROBLEMS AMONG THE MOSTLY CATHOLIC CROATS CONTINUE, WITH THE
VATICAN RELUCTANT TO TAKE ON THE MORE NATIONALISTIC ELEMENTS
OF ITS OWN CLERGY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE CROAT
COMMUNITY HAS DEVELOPED A "MINORITY COMPLEX" AND THROWS UP
ITS OWN OBSTACLES TO CROAT REFUGEE RETURNS BY INSISTING THAT
ALL MUNICIPAL SERVICES BE REBUILT BEFORE RETURNS CAN OCCUR.
CARDINAL PULJIC HAS GREAT CREDIBILITY FROM WEATHERING THE
WAR IN SARAJEVO, BUT HE SHARES THIS "COMPLEX." THE CLERGY
NEED TO LET DOWN THEIR GUARD AND TAKE THE LEAD IN PROMOTING
INTER-RELIGIOUS RECONCILIATION. KEY MEASURES TO TAKE EARLY
ON WOULD BE PROMOTING VISITS TO EACH OTHER'S PLACES OF
WORSHIP, AND WORKING TOGETHER ON A SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
3. AMBASSADOR BOND, ADMIRAL JOHNSON, AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON
AND STAFF THEN MET WITH THREE OF THE FOUR RELIGIOUS LEADERS
IN SARAJEVO -- CATHOLIC CARDINAL PULIC, MUSLIM MUFTI CERIC,
AND JEWISH COMMUNITY LEADER DR. JAKOB FINCI. THE SERB
ORTHODOX COMMUNITY WAS NOT REPRESENTED BECAUSE METROPOLITAN
NIKOLAJ HAD OTHER COMMITMENTS. CERIC EXPRESSED THE GROUP'S
GRATITUDE TO THE US FOR HELPING END THE WAR AND BRINGING
SECURITY TO BOSNIA. HE WAS POSITIVE ON THE DRAFT LAW ON
RELIGIONS, NOTING IT WAS NOW BEFORE THE B-H ASSEMBLY. BOTH
CERIC AND FINCI SPOKE FRANKLY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES STILL
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 VATICA 06156 01 OF 02 301354Z
FACING THE IRC, IN PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES RESTORING
PROPERTIES AND DEVELOPING A COMMON PROPOSAL FOR RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. BOTH NOTED BOSNIA'S LONG
TRADITION OF RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AS A SOURCE OF HOPE FOR THE
FUTURE EVEN AS THEY DECRIED BOSNIAN POLITICAL LEADERS'
DEMAGOGUERY ON RELIGIOUS IDENTIFICATION. PULJIC SAID THERE
WAS NO ALTERNATIVE TO DIALOGUE AND ADMITTED THERE WAS MUCH
WORK YET TO BE DONE BEFORE BOSNIA COULD EMBARK ON A PATH
TOWARD "EUROPE." PULIC EMPHASIZED, AS PREDICTED, THE NEED
FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND FOR REFUGEES TO BE ABLE TO
RETURN TO THEIR ORIGINAL ABODES "NOT AS PAUPERS, BUT WITH
DIGNITY." ADMIRAL JOHNSON AND AMBASSADOR BOND AND
AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON URGED THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO EXERCISE
LEADERSHIP. ALL THREE FOCUSED ON THE NEED FOR THE IRC TO DO
MORE OUTSIDE OF SARAJEVO AND TO SHOW THE WORLD AN EXAMPLE OF
INTERFAITH RECONCILIATION AND COOPERATION.
4. AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON BROKE AWAY FOR A SHORT MEETING WITH
FRANCISCAN FRIAR MIJO DZOLAN, WHO, UNLIKE HIS CROAT
FRANCISCAN BROTHERS IN AND AROUND MOSTAR, HAS A STRONG TRACK
RECORD OF PROMOTING INTER-ETHNIC UNITY IN BOSNIA. HE
BRIEFED US ON HIS LATEST PROJECT -- A COMMUNITY HOUSE WHERE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ4336
PAGE 01 VATICA 06156 02 OF 02 301354Z
ACTION ECA-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AID-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00
SRPP-00 DS-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 VC-00 H-01 TEDE-00
INR-00 IO-00 L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSAE-00
NSCE-00 OMB-01 PA-00 PER-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00
P-00 SCT-00 SP-00 IRM-00 SS-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
T-00 USIE-00 R-00 IIP-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00
DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /006W
-------------- 1E1992 301354Z /38
R 301340Z DEC 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC
INFO AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
AMEMBASSY SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 02 VATICAN 006156
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),EUR/SCE, PD/ECA (MINER)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KIRF KPAO KIRF KPAO VT VTPREL
SUBJECT: ADM. JOHNSON/AMB. NICHOLSON BALKAN TRIP FOCUSES ON
INTER-RELIGIOUS, INTERETHNIC RECONCILIATION
PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS AND ETHNICITIES COME TOGETHER TO SHARE
THEIR STORIES OF THE WAR, OBTAIN COUNSELING, AND REACH OUT
TO OTHERS. DZOLAN TOLD US THIS IS ONE SMALL EXAMPLE OF
BOSNIA'S TRADITIONAL TOLERANCE, BUT ONE HE HOPES WILL GROW.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 VATICA 06156 02 OF 02 301354Z
-------------- -
KOSOVO: RECONCILIATION WITH THE WRONG PARTNERS
-------------- -
5. IN KOSOVO, THE DELEGATION VISITED AN EMBASSY VATICAN-
SPONSORED PROJECT FOR INTER-ETHNIC RECONCILIATION RUN BY THE
SANT'EGIDIO COMMUNITY. WITH A USD 60,000 GRANT FROM PD/ECA,
SANT'EGIDIO (A LAY CATHOLIC COMMUNITY THAT FOCUSES ON
DEVELOPMENT AND RECONCILIATION IN AFRICA AND THE BALKANS)
DEVELOPED AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM THAT TRAINS
TEACHERS AND PROVIDES MATERIALS TO TEACH RECONCILIATION
TECHNIQUES. THE CHILDREN STUDYING IN THE "SCHOOL OF PEACE"
AT THE PRIZREN NORMAL SCHOOL SANG AND READ THEIR OWN TEXTS,
DEMONSTRATING AN UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORICAL PHENOMENA SUCH
AS THE HOLOCAUST AND THE U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. THE
CHILDREN CLEARLY ENJOYED EACH OTHER'S COMPANY, OFFERING HOPE
FOR THE YOUNG GENERATION T OVERCOME THEIR PARENTS'
HOSTILITY. WE NOTED, HOWEVER, THE ABSENCE OF SERB CHILDREN.
PER REF EMAIL, THE NEXT STEP IN PRIZREN SHOULD BE TO
INCORPORATE SERB CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM ALONG WITH THE
ALBANIANS, TURKS AND THE BOSNIACS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE
PRIZREN NORMAL SCHOOL.
6. THE TRIP CONCLUDED WITH A LUNCH HOSTED BY COMKFOR LTG
FABIO MINI FOR ADMIRAL JOHNSON, AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON, AND
NATIONAL COMMANDERS FROM THE ITALIAN, FRENCH AND GERMAN KFOR
CONTINGENTS. GENERAL MINI HAD VISITED WITH CATHOLIC BISHOP
MARKO SOPI (WHOSE APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATION IS CENTERED ON
PRIZREN). GENERAL MINI TOLD US HE HAD URGED BISHOP SOPI TO
INVOLVE HIMSELF MORE PUBLICLY IN PROMOTING SERB RETURNS.
MINI HOPED THAT SOPI WOULD VISIT A SERB ORTHODOX CHURCH OR
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 VATICA 06156 02 OF 02 301354Z
MONASTERY, AS A SYMBOL OF RECONCILIATION, BUT TO NO AVAIL.
MINI URGED AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON TO TAKE THIS UP WITH
CONTACTS IN THE HOLY SEE. THE AMBASSADOR PLEDGED TO DO SO
AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
7. AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON/EMBASSY VATICAN WOULD LIKE TO
CONVEY OUR GRATITUDE FOR THE OUTSTANDING BRIEFINGS AND
SUPPORT OFFERED BY AMBASSADORS BOND AND BUTLER AND THEIR
STAFFS, AND BY THE STAFF AT USOP. WE WILL FOLLOW UP WITH
THE HOLY SEE TO URGE GREATER ENGAGEMENT TO PROMOTE
RECONCILIATION IN BOTH BOSNIA AND KOSOVO. POPE JOHN PAUL II
IS PREOCCUPIED WITH A POSSIBLE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS
DEVELOPING FROM THE U.S.-LED WAR ON TERRORISM, THUS THE HOLY
SEE WILL WANT TO DO EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO ENSURE THAT
RECONCILIATION MAKES PROGRESS IN THE BALKANS AS A POSITIVE
EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD. AS DISCUSSED WITH EMBASSY SARAJEVO
AND USOP, WE WILL BROACH WITH THE VATICAN THE POSSIBILITY OF
AN OFFICIAL VATICAN DELEGATION TO BOSNIA ATTEND THE OPENING
OF A REBUILT MOSQUE AS WELL AS MEANS TO ENERGIZE BISHOP SOPI
TO PROMOTE SERB RETURNS IN KOSOVO.
NICHOLSON
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002VATICA06156 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED