Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05VATICAN443
2005-02-23 09:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:  

SUDAN: VATICAN HESITANT ON AU-UN TRIBUNAL

Tags:  KIRF PHUM PREL SU VT 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000443 

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR EUR/WE LEVIN; AF/SPG SMALL; AF/E; AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: DECL: (####)
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PREL SU VT
SUBJECT: SUDAN: VATICAN HESITANT ON AU-UN TRIBUNAL

REF: STATE 21439


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Summary
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C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000443

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR EUR/WE LEVIN; AF/SPG SMALL; AF/E; AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: DECL: (####)
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PREL SU VT
SUBJECT: SUDAN: VATICAN HESITANT ON AU-UN TRIBUNAL

REF: STATE 21439


--------------
Summary
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1. (C) Holy See Country Director for Sudan Monsignor Lucio
Sembrano told us February 10 that the Holy See was optimistic
regarding Darfur, but hesitant about the proposed African Union
(AU) - UN Sudan Tribunal. He maintained that the International
Criminal Court (ICC) would be the most effective means to bring
war criminals to justice and increase stability in the region.
End summary.

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Sudan Tribunal not the Answer
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2. (SBU) Holy See Country Director for Sudan Monsignor Lucio
Sembrano told PolChief February 10 that, in light of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement and other recent developments, the
Holy See was optimistic regarding Darfur, but cautioned that the
international community needed to step up its engagement to
bring about an effective solution to the current crisis.


3. (C) Regarding the U.S proposal for an African Union (AU) -
UN Tribunal for Sudan (reftel),Sembrano was hesitant. He cited
what he regards as the "100 percent negative results" of the
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda as an example of the
shortcomings of "special courts." Thus, the idea that an AU-UN
court would share existing infrastructure with the Rwanda
Tribunal did not sooth his worries. The international
community should "learn from experience" on Rwanda, Sembrano
concluded.

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ICC a Better Option
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4. (C) Sembrano acknowledged the U.S. opposition to using the
ICC in this case, but said he nevertheless regards it as the
better option for war criminals in Darfur. He hoped the U.S.
would reconsider its position on the ICC in an instance such as
this, where it could be effective, even while it maintained its
broader opposition to the court. To the extent that any court
would need to rely on cooperation from the Sudanese government,
Sembrano foresaw challenges. "The day they start handing over
Muslims for war crimes, I'll embrace Islam," the Catholic priest
quipped. The government, he continued, "closes both eyes and
allows [the offenders] impunity." The most important thing at
this point, Sembrano concluded, is for the international
community to be united in confronting the violence and bringing
about justice.


5. (SBU) We passed Sembrano reftel points on the Tribunal and
the proposed peacekeeping operation for Darfur, emphasizing the
benefits of the USG proposal. He thanked the U.S. for its
"tireless" efforts for peace in Sudan.

HARDT


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2005VATICA00443 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL