VATICAN FM TAURAN PRESSES HOLY SEE'S POSITION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 VATICAN 000933

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2013
TAGS: PREL VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN FM TAURAN PRESSES HOLY SEE'S POSITION ON
IRAQ TO DIPLOMATIC CORPS


5. (C) TAURAN'S COVOCATION OF ALL THE AMBASSADORS TO THE
HOLY SEE TO LAY OUT THE VATICAN'S LINE ON IRAQ REPRESENTED A
FURTHER STEP IN THE HOLY SEE'S CONTINUING DRIVE TO ADVANCE
ITS VIEW THAT THE IRAQ CRISIS BE RESOLVED PEACEFULLY IF
POSSIBLE AND ONLY THROUGH DECISIONS OF THE UN. THE POPE'S
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 VATICA 00933 02 OF 02 070751Z
ENGAGEMENT HAS RECEIVED WIDESPREAD COVERAGE IN EUROPEAN AND
OTHER INTERNATIONAL MEDIA, REFLECTING HIS ROLE AS A MORAL
VOICE FOR HUMANITY SOUGHT OUT BY ALL SIDES IN THE CURRENT
DEBATE. THE HOLY SEE CAN BE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO VOICE
BOTH ITS CONCERNS FOR THE POTENTIAL SUFFERING OF INNOCENT
CIVILIANS FROM A RESORT TO MILITARY FORCE, AND ITS FEARS
ABOUT AN INCREASE IN INTER-RELIGIOQUS STRIFE IN THE WEEKS
AHEAD. WE WILL CONTINUE TO URGE THEM NOT TO IGNORE THE
CURRENT OPPRESSION UNDER SADDAM AND POTENTIAL SUFFERING
SHOULD WMD GET INTO THE HANDS OF TERRORISTS.
HARDT

CONFIDENTIAL

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2003VATICA00933 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL