HOLY SEE RECEPTIVE TO U.S. CONCERNS ON CHINA AND

UNCLAS VATICAN 001300 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EUR/WE LEVIN; WHA/CCA; EAP/CM; DRL-IRF; IO/SHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CH CU KIRF PHUM VT UNHRC SUBJECT: HOLY SEE RECEPTIVE TO U.S. CONCERNS ON CHINA AND CUBA HUMAN RIGHTS REF: STATE 41252 (SBU) POST SHARED REFTEL POINTS WITH ETTORE BALESTRERO, HOLY SEE'S DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES APRIL 1. BALESTRERO SAID THAT THE HOLY SEE DID NOT TYPICALLY TAKE AN OFFICIAL POSITION ON RESOLUTIONS CRITICIZING THE RECORDS OF PARTICULAR COUNTRIES. NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID, THE VATICAN REMAINED CONCERNED ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN BOTH CUBA AND CHINA -- PARTICULARLY REGARDING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- AND WAS SYMPATHETIC TO USG CONCERNS. BALESTRERO PROMISED THAT THE HOLY SEE WOULD TAKE U.S. CONCERNS INTO ACCOUNT IN ITS DISCUSSIONS ON BOTH CUBA AND CHINA WITH INTERESTED COUNTRIES. NICHOLSON NNNN 2004VATICA01300 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED