CHALDEAN PATRIARCH: INCREASED SECURITY, RELIABLE ELECTRICITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000446

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR EUR/WE LEVIN; NEA/RA; NEA/NGA; DRL/IRF ABRAMSON, DEATHERAGE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/24/2015
TAGS: IZ KIRF PHUM PREL SOCI VT
SUBJECT: CHALDEAN PATRIARCH: INCREASED SECURITY, RELIABLE ELECTRICITY
NEEDED IN IRAQ

REF: A) 03 VATICAN 5521; B) VATICAN 380


CLASSIFIED BY: Peter Martin, POL, Vatican, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)

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Summary
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1. (C) Iraqi Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly
told Charge February 17 that the coalition's failure to date to
provide reasonable security and reliable electricity were the
biggest obstacles to acceptance of U.S. efforts by the Iraqi
people. The lack of security led many to conclude they were
safer under the old regime, while the lack of progress in
improving basic services confirmed for many suspicions that U.S.
motives were not about improving the life of Iraqis but
controlling Iraq's oil. Despite widespread popular frustration
over what the Patriarch inadvertently termed "the U.S.
occupation," he insisted that U.S. troops must remain in Iraq to
prevent internecine chaos that he believes would certainly
result from a premature U.S. pullout. He urged greater
attention to protect Iraq's borders and prevent foreign
mercenaries and jihadists from create further unrest. Delly
conveyed his appreciation for Embassy Baghdad's attention to
Christian concerns, and urged continued efforts to ensure the
new constitution protects the rights of religious minorities.
End Summary.

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Security, Electricity Key Obstacles to Success
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2. (C) While welcoming the possibilities for democratic change
opened up by January's elections, Iraqi Chaldean Catholic
Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly told the Charge at a February 17
lunch that the coalition's failure to improve security and
provide basic services -- particularly electricity -- would
continue to thwart U.S. efforts to gain the trust and support of
the Iraqi people. In Rome for consultations at the Vatican,
including a meeting with the Pope, the Patriarch lamented the
deterioration in the security situation. Few Iraqis, he said,
felt they could walk out their doors and feel safe. This
persistent sense of fear and insecurity led many Iraqis to
conclude that life in Iraq was worse now than it had been under
Saddam. The Patriarch added that he personally did not feel he
could safely leave his house, and told us he had received
several death threats.


3. (C) While Delly acknowledged coalition efforts to improve
security, he urged -- as he has in the past -- greater attention
to Iraq's porous borders, claiming that foreigners are still
entering Iraq with little difficulty. He believed that these
young jihadists, often paid and abetted by deep-pocketed Iraqi
Baathists, were a primary source of the daily terror that rocked
Baghdad and other cities. He noted that many of the foreigners
were enticed to Iraq with promises of money and glory, and then
were left in desperate situations that made suicide bombings
seem the only way out. Delly also maintained that persistent
high unemployment among young Iraqi men took away their sense of
dignity and hope, and led many of them to undertake suicide or
other dangerous actions against coalition forces.


4. (C) Beyond security, the Patriarch repeatedly emphasized how
much continuing problems in providing electricity and other
basic services were damaging the U.S. cause. He maintained that
most Baghdad residents, himself included, received only three
hours of electricity a day. In the face of popular perceptions
of the U.S. as the omnipotent superpower, Delly explained,
Iraqis have a hard time understanding how nearly two years after
the invasion, no progress has been made. This incomprehension
leads them to question both U.S. competency and motives. "Few
believe that if the U.S. really wanted to, it couldn't provide
more than three hours of electricity a day," the Patriarch
observed, adding "this is when they start thinking that you came
for the oil." While making clear he did not share this view, he
emphasized that there are few things the U.S. could do that
would have more impact on Iraqi perceptions. With even twelve
hours of electricity a day, the Patriarch exclaimed, "people
would be out in the streets chanting 'USA.'"

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U.S. Troops Must Stay
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5. (C) Although he first inadvertently referred to the presence
of coalition troops as an "occupation" before quickly correcting
himself, the Patriarch insisted that coalition troops remained
indispensable to stability in Iraq. He rejected the notion that


withdrawal of U.S. forces would lessen tensions, arguing instead
that this would lead to social and political chaos and increased
internecine fighting. "Iraq is simply not ready to stand on its
own," he concluded. At the same time, the Patriarch believed
that U.S. forces could do more to boost their standing with
Iraqis and ensure their security. Citing a number of cases
where U.S. soldiers had refused to respond to requests for help
-- in one case simply watching a bank being robbed (which the
Patriarch personally witnessed) or refusing to respond to
requests for help with wounded family members -- the Patriarch
said these situations conveyed an impression to the Iraqi people
of a lack of U.S. respect for the dignity of the Iraqi people.
The Patriarch fully appreciated that soldiers had specific
orders and could not take on the role of policemen or provide
first aid, but he believed that greater flexibility and
sensitivity would go a long way to improving the U.S. image.
Delly also claimed that U.S. forces made themselves more
vulnerable to insurgents' attacks by always following the same
routes on patrol at the same times. "The British and Italians
always mix up their routes," he stated, "but the Americans
always pass by at the same time."

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Elections: A Mixed Assessment
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6. (C) In assessing the Iraqi political scene following
January's elections, the Patriarch evinced an odd mix of
skepticism and enthusiasm. At first pessimistic, Delly
suggested that the January elections had been far from a success
given that so many Sunnis had not turned out to vote. However,
as the Charge engaged him on the importance of the signal
conveyed by millions of Iraqis turning out to vote despite
direct threats against them, the Patriarch began to warm to the
subject, noting with pride the large number of women elected as
representatives. He went on to describe the historic
opportunity the Iraqis had to develop a constitution that would
safeguard religious liberty and other human rights. Delly said
he did not believe most Shi'a representatives wanted to create a
constitution based on the Koran, but he added that he would feel
much safer if the constitution made specific mention of
Christianity when laying out the rights of minorities. He
shared the U.S. view that, if the international community can
help Iraq follow through on these elections, the Iraqi example
could have a positive influence on the entire Middle East.

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Vatican Supports International Efforts
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7. (C) The Vatican signaled its continuing keen interest in Iraq
by granting Patriarch Delly an audience with the Pope February
19 -- the first formal audience the Pope has held since his
recent hospitalization. Delly told us he was not sure if the
Pope would be able to meet with him during his stay, but John
Paul II clearly wanted to demonstrate his personal attention to
Iraq through the meeting. In a meeting with Holy See Foreign
Minister-equivalent Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo just prior to our
lunch, the Patriarch said the Vatican affirmed its concern for
the status of Christians in Iraq, and its desire for a continued
international presence to promote the development of a
democratic Iraq that respected religious freedom for all its
citizens.

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Comment
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8. (C) The Patriarch conveyed his appreciation for the close
relationship he has had with Ambassador Negroponte and other
members of Embassy Baghdad, and for the Embassy's attention to
the concerns of Iraq's Christian community. He welcomed
continued close consultation, though he added that he has to be
careful in contacts with the Embassy so as not to make himself
even more of a target. He pointed out that if some in Iraq knew
he was dining at the U.S. Ambassador's residence, they would be
outraged, and he asked that we keep the contact private. The
Patriarch remains a valuable ally for the U.S., who will
continue to build bridges with the other religious leaders and
communities and advocate religious tolerance. He reiterated his
previously stated (ref a) thanks for the U.S. removal of Saddam,
which he believes has given Iraq new hope. But he also
continues to believe that the U.S. could do itself and Iraq much
good by stepping up efforts to achieve security and provide
basic services. He, and the Holy See, remain deeply troubled by
the continuing flight of Christians from Iraq.


9. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.

HARDT


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2005VATICA00446 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL