PATRIARCH AGREES TO HUMAN RIGHTS DIMENSION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISTANBUL 000071 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2014 TAGS: PREL CU PHUM PREL TU SUBJECT: PATRIARCH AGREES TO HUMAN RIGHTS DIMENSION ON UPCOMING CUBA VISIT - DELIVERY OF DEMARCHE REF: A. (A) ATHENS 4489 ¶B. (B) STATE 338726 ¶C. (C) STATE 309834 ¶D. (D) HAVANA 19605 ¶E. (E) ISTANBUL 1617 Classified By: Consul General David L. Arnett for reason 1.4 (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I plans to travel to Cuba to accept title to a rebuilt Greek Orthodox Church in Havana. He has undertaken to raise human rights concerns both publicly and privately while in Cuba, and has agreed to a reception hosted by U.S., Greek, and Turkish diplomats. Bartholomew has declined Castro's offer of a state guest house during his visit to Cuba. Competition for primacy in the Orthodox world with Russia remains a key factor influencing his travel to Cuba. END SUMMARY Deciding to go to Cuba -------------- ¶2. (C) Bartholomew began by thanking the Consul General and USG for their support for him over the years. He said that he understood USG misgivings, and respected the USG perspective, but felt that he had to go. He said, "I am frequently criticized by Greek nationalists for being an instrument of Turkey. Not going would subject me to further criticism of bowing to American influence, and would open the USG to criticism of pressuring me against performing a pastoral duty. As a religious man I must find balance between these concerns and the misgivings we have about the Cuban government." ¶3. (C) Bartholomew said that he was obliged to travel to Havana to receive the deed to the church from the Cuban government, but has taken USG concerns into account while planning the trip. Bartholomew said he had declined an offer of staying in an official guest house, but would instead stay in a hotel with 1000 supporters who would also be traveling to Cuba, most of whom, according to him, are U.S. citizens (including Metropolitan Demetrios of the United States). Bartholomew plans to attend a reception/luncheon for him hosted by Greek and Turkish Ambassadors and the head of USINT Havana. Per his usual practice, Bartholomew plans to make an initial courtesy call on the Turkish Ambassador in his capacity as a Turkish citizen. He said he is willing to attend a dinner, currently in the planning stage, to be hosted by the Turkish Ambassador. A Human Rights Agenda -------------- ¶4. (C) Making reference to the prior meeting with CG regarding planned travel to Cuba, Bartholomew said he is planning to mention human rights concerns in his upcoming travel to Cuba. He said that he plans to raise these concerns both in public statements and in private meetings with Cuban leadership, noting "I have a feeling that the USG will be pleased." Bartholomew said, however, that he feels he must also express gratitude to the Cuban government for its assistance in rebuilding the church in Havana, and for its support for Orthodoxy. He said that Cuban officials have assured him that his church will have "complete religious freedom" in Cuba. ¶5. (C) Bartholomew said he understands the concerns of other churches in Cuba, however. He said that he had sent a note to the Pope offering his assistance and had "just spoken with Monsignor Georges Marovitch of the Papal Nuncio in Istanbul, and asked if, during my visit to Cuba, I could be of help to the Roman Catholic Church. I will attempt to use the visit to coordinate religious work in solving some of the problems faced by the people of Cuba." The Russian Angle -------------- ¶6. (C) CG asked whether the Ecumenical Patriarch would publicly urge the Cuban government to give permission for building and renovation to other churches that, to date, have been denied it. Bartholomew said that the issue of church construction was complicated by the actions of the Russian Orthodox Church, especially the political machinations of President Putin and Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk. Essentially, if Bartholomew does not go to Cuba, Castro will give the church to the Russians, who "always build a church wherever there is a Russian Embassy, regardless of the number of Russian Orthodox in the area. The Russians constantly pursue political ends through religion." ¶7. (C) Bartholomew continued, saying that the Russians have tried to pressure Castro not to assist the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Cuba, and have alleged to Castro and others that Bartholomew is working with the CIA in Estonia to thwart Russian aspirations there. Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) The key motivating factor for Bartholomew's planned travel to Cuba is beating the Russian Orthodox Church to the punch. He believes that the measures he has taken (staying in a hotel, raising human rights issues publicly and privately, providing time to meet with diplomats separate from Cuban government-arranged meetings) will prevent the visit from being used as propaganda by Castro. It seems from his tone, however, that any direct criticism of the Castro regime will be moderate, as Bartholomew seeks to consolidate his victory over the Russians. ARNETT