IRAQ: VATICAN CONCERNED BY LACK OF NECESSITIES;

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 004211

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR EUR/WE LEVIN; NEA/RA; IO/UNP; IO/PHO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2013
TAGS: IZ PREL VT
SUBJECT: IRAQ: VATICAN CONCERNED BY LACK OF NECESSITIES;
SUPPORTS U.S. DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS

REF: A. A) VATICAN 2578


B. B) VATICAN 3185

C. C) VATICAN 3847

Classified By: Ambassador Jim Nicholson for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) Holy See Deputy Foreign Minister Parolin told Embassy
September 11 that the Papal Nuncio in Baghdad believed the
continued lack of "basic necessities" amongst the general
population was generating an increasingly hostile reaction
towards coalition forces. Parolin welcomed U.S. efforts to
broaden the international community's activity in Iraq, and
noted the crucial role the Holy See feels moderate Arab
countries could play in the reconstruction process. The Holy
See is continuing its efforts to expand its dialogue with the
Islamic world, engaging moderate Muslim groups that it hopes
can counterbalance more radical influences. End summary.

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Lack of Necessities Provoking Ire of Iraqis
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2. (C) DCM and EUR/WE Deputy Director Hernandez met September
11 with Holy See Deputy Foreign Minister Pietro Parolin and
US Affairs Office Director Paolo Gualtieri as part of
Hernandez's orientation trip to the Holy See. Asked what the
Holy See was hearing from its Nuncio in Baghdad, Parolin said
the Nuncio was increasingly concerned by the continuing lack
of "basic necessities" in Iraq, which he believed was
provoking a hostile reaction from Iraqis towards coalition
forces. Shortages of water, electricity, some foodstuffs,
and medical services, combined with a continuing sense of
insecurity, were leading to bubbling discontent, which people
then blamed on the American forces. DCM responded that the
U.S. was working flat out to restore and in many cases
improve basic services, but that sabotage and the poor state
of the preexisting infrastructure had hindered this effort.
Noting that the President had just requested an additional 87
billion dollars for Iraqi reconstruction, he emphasized that
the U.S. was determined to address the problems, but needed
the full support of the international community.

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UNSCR / More International Cooperation the "Right Idea."
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3. (C) Turning to efforts in New York to secure a new UN
Security Council Resolution and increased international
participation in Iraq, Parolin said the U.S. had the "right
idea." The Holy See would like to see broad international
oversight and cooperation, but with Iraqis in the lead on
reconstruction efforts as much as possible. Parolin said he
understood the US wanted to maintain its leadership role in
Iraq, but urged the US to continue efforts to "find unity"
and further cooperation in the international community. DCM
pointed out that the U.S. goal is to turn as much authority
as possible to the Iraqi people as soon as possible, but that
this had to be done in a way which would ensure stability and
security in Iraq.

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Engagement with the Islamic World
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4. (C) The Deputy Foreign Minister also stressed the
importance of deepening the involvement of "moderate Arab
countries" in Iraqi reconstruction and security efforts. The
Holy See regards these countries as an indispensable resource
in the effort to stabilize Iraq. For its part, the Vatican
continues to look for any and every opportunity for dialogue
with willing interlocutors from the Islamic world. Dialogue
"is the only way," Parolin said. He explained that the Holy
See was trying to work with moderate Islamic elements in the
hopes that they might convince their more radical
coreligionists to adopt a more moderate and peaceful
interpretation of Islam. Parolin pointed out that the
non-hierarchical structure of Islam made it difficult to find
interlocutors who were willing to talk and would have an
impact on others. But he said the Vatican had had some
success in such dialogue, pointing to efforts in Indonesia as
an example.

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COMMENT: Holy See Staying Engaged with Islam
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5. (C) The Vatican has a keen interest in the well-being of
Iraq's Christian (mostly Chaldean Catholic) population, which
makes up approximately 2 percent of Iraq's population.
Parolin reiterated the Vatican's fears that the establishment
of a hard-line Islamic government in Iraq could lead to
repression of Iraq's Christians (ref a, b). This particular
interest, however, is only a part of the Vatican's broader
interest in dialogue with the Arab world to overcome
religious intolerance. For example, ref c noted the
potential for Vatican engagement with Iran -- with whom it
maintains an active diplomatic dialogue -- to temper its
interference in Iraq. Likewise, the Vatican-sanctioned
Catholic NGO Sant' Egidio is also continuing its efforts to
promote Christian-Muslim dialogue (septel). In Iraq and
elsewhere, we can continue to count on the Holy See as a
useful ally in promoting moderation, tolerance, and
understanding.

Nicholson


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2003VATICA04211 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL