HOLY SEE SUPPORTS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO UN REFORM

UNCLAS VATICAN 000503

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/WE; S/CRS; IO/UNP;IO/PSC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KUNR KPKO VT UN
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE SUPPORTS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO UN REFORM

REF: A) STATE 126870; B) STATE 130530

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Summary
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1. (SBU) Vatican MFA's Monsignor Francis Chullikatt told us
July 22 he agreed that it made sense to take a comprehensive
approach to UN reform rather than to reform the UNSC first and
approach remaining reform issues in a "piecemeal" fashion. He
confirmed the Holy See's support for a restructuring of the UN
Security Council (UNSC),but emphasized that the Vatican would
stay out of specific discussions on exactly who should be on a
reformed UNSC (e.g., the G-4 framework resolution). He noted
the Holy See's general support for a Peacebuilding Commission
and commented that UN agencies had become so independent that
better coordination among the various arms involved in
peacebuilding was crucial to avoid wasted efforts and wasted
money. Chullikatt's take on these issues merely confirms the
approach we understand Permanent Observer Migliore has taken in
New York, but is helpful in demonstrating that the Holy See
mission in New York and the Vatican Foreign Ministry seem to be
on the same page. End Summary.

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Comprehensive Approach "Makes Sense"
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2. (SBU) Vatican MFA's Monsignor Francis Chullikatt told us
July 22 he agreed that it made sense to take a comprehensive
approach to UN reform rather than to reform the UNSC first and
approach remaining reform issues in a "piecemeal" fashion.
Chullikatt, who recently served at the Holy See's mission to the
UN, said the latter approach would not work. "If you take
things piecemeal," he said, "you're going to lose momentum for
reform in the many areas that need it." He received ref (a)
points with interest, and confirmed the Holy See's support for a
restructuring of the UN Security Council (UNSC) while
emphasizing that the Vatican would stay out of specific
discussions on exactly who should be on a reformed UNSC (e.g.,
the G-4 framework resolution). He also referred to Holy See UN
Permanent Observer Archbishop Migliore's recent speech on UN
reform, in which Migliore reviewed the essential criteria that
should be taken into account for reshaping UN structures.

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Better Coordination Needed for Peacebuilding
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3. (SBU) Poloff also discussed and passed Chullikatt ref (b)
points on the creation of a UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC).
Chullikatt noted the Holy See's general support for such a
commission as indicated in Permanent Observer Migliore's address
to the General Assembly in May, but was unfamiliar with the
specifics of the U.S. objectives for the PBC. He commented that
improved coordination within the UN system would indeed be an
important step in the context of peacebuilding. He said that UN
agencies had become so independent that better coordination
among the various arms involved in peacebuilding was crucial to
avoid wasted efforts and wasted money.

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Comment
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4. (SBU) Chullikatt's take on UN reform merely confirms the
approach we understand Permanent Observer Migliore has taken in
New York, but is helpful in demonstrating that the mission in
New York and the Vatican Foreign Ministry seem to be on the same
page. Cardinal Renato Martino, Migliore's predecessor as UN
Permanent Observer (1986-2002),echoed Chullikatt July 26 when
he told the Charge that any reform of the UNSC should be part of
a broader "package" of reforms. Though Martino no longer
specializes in UN issues, he is still very influential in the
Vatican as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and
Peace.


5. (SBU) Chullikatt is the Vatican's point man for human rights
issues, UN/ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council),and UNICEF
(United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund),among
other multilateral topics, and backs up the Holy See's lead on
UN reform, Monsignor Osvaldo Neves (currently on vacation).
Chullikatt had high praise for USUN staff with whom he had
worked on his recent assignment in New York.

SANDROLINI


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