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 > 2003VATICA00933 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL