Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05VATICAN483
2005-06-14 13:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:  

ASST. SECRETARY FRIED REVIEWS EUROPE AFTER THE "NO" VOTES

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM VT XG TU 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000483 

SIPDIS


DEPT. FOR
DEPT FOR EUR-DFRIED, EUR/WE (LEVIN)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/14/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM VT XG TU
SUBJECT: ASST. SECRETARY FRIED REVIEWS EUROPE AFTER THE "NO" VOTES
WITH VATICAN DFM


CLASSIFIED BY: D. Brent Hardt, Charge D'Affaires, EXEC, STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000483

SIPDIS


DEPT. FOR
DEPT FOR EUR-DFRIED, EUR/WE (LEVIN)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/14/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM VT XG TU
SUBJECT: ASST. SECRETARY FRIED REVIEWS EUROPE AFTER THE "NO" VOTES
WITH VATICAN DFM


CLASSIFIED BY: D. Brent Hardt, Charge D'Affaires, EXEC, STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) EUR Assistant Secretary Dan Fried met with Holy See
Deputy Foreign Minister equivalent Msgr. Parolin June 6 to
review U.S. priorities in Europe and share U.S. concerns that
Europe could turn inward in the e of recent negative votes in
France and Holland. Parolin affirmed the Holy See's desire to
see Europe continue the integration process. He also affirmed
that as long as Turkey meets the Copenhagen criteria, including
those on religious freedom, the Holy See would not object to its
"European vocation." Fried and Parolin agreed that Europe
needed to better define its core values, which would shape both
its international engagement and internal direction, and allow
it to deal more self-confidently with its Muslim populations.
End Summary.

--------------
Wanted: A Strong Europe
--------------


2. (C) A/S Dan Fried, accompanied by Acting DAS Kathy Allegrone
and Charge, called on Holy See Undersecretary for Relations with
States, Monsignor Pietro Parolin, June 6. Fried outlined the
U.S. desire to work with Europe on a common agenda. Emphasizing
that the U.S. needs a strong Europe, Fried said his message to
the Europeans during his trip would be: "Don't turn inward."
Wherever we look in the world -- the Middle East, Afghanistan,
China, Darfur -- we are better off working with Europe; we want
a strong Europe as our partner, though not as a counterweight to
the U.S.


3. (C) Parolin said the recent British decision to put off
their referendum was not a good sign. It would slow down and
hinder the process of integration, which the Holy See strongly
supported. Both Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI
were very supportive of European integration. Parolin said
polling data suggested Europeans are still in favor of Europe,
but did not support the constitution in its current form.

--------------
Constitution Lacking Soul
--------------



4. (C) Fried observed that the U.S. had never taken a position
on the merits of the EU constitution, as it was a European
matter and one for which a U.S. public position would not have
been helpful in any event. We did, however, have a position on
Europe, which is that Europe should not turn inward and should
not abandon the process of enlargement and deeper integration.
There were few policies as successful as NATO and EU
enlargement, which had stimulated needed reforms and facilitated
the difficult transitions to free markets and democracy.


5. (C) Parolin said the Holy See shared the U.S. desire for the
construction of a strong, integrated Europe that would work
together with the U.S. for peace and the common good of mankind.
The Holy See had been disappointed that the constitutional
process had rejected a reference to Europe's Christian roots in
its preamble and believes the constitution needs some way to
recognize the spiritual, ethical, and moral values upon which
Europe should be built. Except in Poland, where Pope John Paul
had delivered a clear message in favor of the Constitution, the
Holy See had limited public comments to pointing out both the
positive and negative elements of the text.

--------------
Keeping the Door Open to Turkey
--------------


6. (C) Fried recalled that the prospect of EU membership had
played a constructive role in Turkey's development and political
orientation. The U.S. would never support lowering standards
for any country to join the EU and recognized that it will take
time for Turkey to meet all the requirements for entry. It was
vital, therefore, that Europe not shut the door to membership in
Turkey's face. If this issue were handled poorly, and Turkey
concluded that its European vocation had been blocked, it could
have serious repercussions.


7. (C) Parolin said the Holy See knew well the U.S. position on
Turkey's EU membership, and appreciated our view that it could
serve as an important bridge to the Muslim world. As a
non-member, they had limited their comments to saying that if
Turkey would join, it should first meet the Copenhagen criteria,


especially those regarding religious freedom. It was important
that this be not only in legislation, but also in real life.
The Holy See had seen no results from its many representations
to the Turks on the recognition of religious institutions.
Parolin suggested that more U.S. pressure, particularly on
religious freedom issues, could be helpful. A/S Fried agreed,
but only if the door remained open for Turkey.

--------------
Islam in a Wary Europe
--------------


8. (C) Parolin said it was important not to underestimate the
extent to which Turkish entry to the EU represents a historical
and cultural challenge. European governments fear the entry of
Turkey; it is linked to their broader fear of dealing with Islam
in their own countries and the issue of integration. Fried
observed that Europe seemed lacking self-confidence in the power
of its own ideas. Over time a Euro-Islam would develop as
democratic habits were absorbed by Moslems living there.
Ultimately, Fried posited, the power and attraction of open,
democratic societies was great, and we would therefore urge
European countries to recognize and use this power.


9. (C) Fried suggested there was an ongoing struggle between a
defensive, restrictive, anti-Western Islam and a more open,
modern Islam. The challenge was how to encourage Muslims to
embrace this modern Islam. Parolin noted that the Holy See's
experience in its dialogue with Islam suggested that the voice
of a moderate and modern Islam was still very weak. The Holy
See would continue to work to help these voices grow stronger,
he said, but it would remain a challenge.

--------------
Europe in Search of Values
--------------


10. (C) Parolin suggested that Europe's lack of self-confidence
is derived from a lack of moral and ethical values. Fried noted
that he admired the political writings of John Paul II such as
Centesimus Annus, which laid out the former Pontiff's vision of
free market democracy with moral underpinnings. President Bush,
who acknowledges his deep religious beliefs, has said that his
views of democracy are rooted in the idea that liberty is a gift
from the Almighty. Likewise, the American people were on the
whole very religious, even in the face of a sometimes
materialistic culture. By contrast, Europe sometimes acts like
a civilization on the defensive, when it is not. In fact, Fried
said, Europe is wealthy, at peace, and plays an important role
in the world. Precisely because of our shared belief in the
sanctity of the individual and universal human rights, we want
to work with Europe and the Holy See to reach out to Islam and
spread democracy in the Middle East.

--------------
Pope Benedict's Priorities
--------------


11. (C) Parolin said the Holy See under the new Pope would be
very committed in two specific directions: First, to try to
promote spirituality in Europe, reminding Europeans that Europe
is more than an economic or political entity, but a society that
should be rooted in core values that derive in part from a
spiritual foundation. Second, the Holy See would work to help
Islam develop into a more tolerant religion and build
understanding of other religious. The U.S. could expect broad
continuity with Pope John Paul's international goals.


12. (C) Fried welcomed these directions, but also noted that he
believed the Holy See could play a crucial role in helping
Europe recall its outward-looking vocation. He reiterated the
importance of maintaining an open door for Turkey, and noted
that he has and would continue to raise with Turkish officials
the importance of religious freedom issues as they moved forward
on the path to accession.


13. (C) A/S Fried reviewed this cable.


HARDT


NNNN

2005VATICA00483 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL