HOLY SEE DEPUTY FM DISCUSSION WITH EUR/WE DIRECTOR -- IRAN,

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SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/23/2016
TAGS: PREL VT
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE DEPUTY FM DISCUSSION WITH EUR/WE DIRECTOR -- IRAN,
MIDDLE EAST, CHINA

REF: a) Vatican 102, (B) vatican 104

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CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher Sandrolini, Deputy Chief of Mission,
EXEC, State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)


1. (C) Summary. Holy See deputy FM Parolin discussed a number
of topics with visiting EUR/WE Director on June 22. He
portrayed an essentially stable Holy See foreign policy despite
some reorganization of the Curia; continuing concern over the
flight of Christians from the Holy Land, doubt over the USG
policy of isolating Hamas, and skepticism toward a possible
papal visit to Israel; and pessimism over Holy See relations
with China. Parolin was hopeful that the leftward trend of
Latin American elections may be ebbing, and said that Iranian FM
Mottaki had not contacted the Holy See during his recent visit
to Italy. End summary.



2. (SBU) EUR/WE Director Kathleen Allegrone discussed a range of
topics during a June 22 call on Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the
Undersecretary for Relations with States at the Holy See
(equivalent to deputy foreign minister). Parolin was
accompanied by Msgr. Paolo Gualtieri. DCM also attended.


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General
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3. (C) Noting that Pope Benedict XVI had now been in place over
a year, Allegrone asked if there had been any shift in Holy See
foreign policy. Parolin observed that many people say so, often
in regard to relations with Islam and the departure of
Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald from his longtime post in charge
of interreligious dialogue. Parolin characterized this (and
other related moves) as a small reorganization of the Curia
which had been under discussion for a long time; Pope John Paul
II had wanted to reduce the Vatican bureaucracy, which had
gradually expanded since the reforms of the Second Vatican
Council in the 1960s. Rather than the policy, said Parolin,
it's the situation which has changed. The Holy See has adapted
to the changed circumstances of today by putting more emphasis
on Christians in Islamic countries, and on the concept of
"reciprocity" as opposed to simply a continuation of dialogue.


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Middle East and Israel
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4. (C) Parolin said there has been no positive response from
Syria or Lebanon to the new emphasis on reciprocity. He
described the situation for Christians in those countries and
Iraq as very hard, leading many Christians to flee. Many of
them see no future for themselves in the Holy Land, and have the
education, resources, and international contacts to be in a
position to move. In Bethlehem, for example, the percentage of
Christians in the total population has fallen from 30 to 2. The
Franciscans there tried hard to build social programs and
support community works, but even they now see "no hope"; many
Christians are leaving Palestinian lands for Jerusalem because
of hardships incurred by the Israeli wall. There is no obvious
way to stop this decline, though it is of great concern to the
Holy See.



5. (C) Parolin downplayed press reports that the Pope would
visit Israel soon (ref b). There have been many invitations, he
said, but the present conditions don't permit it. He elaborated
by noting that were the Pope to go to Israel, he would be
obliged to visit Palestine too, and meet with Hamas. Moreover,
there has been no resolution of the Fundamental Agreement with
Israel, and this is a prerequisite. The Holy See is considering
raising the level of meetings with the Israelis on the
Fundamental Agreement, perhaps a plenary meeting of the
commission, in hopes of kickstarting the process.



6. (C) Parolin said the Holy See shares the objectives of the
Quartet but is very concerned about the plight of Palestinians;
he expressed doubt about the wisdom of isolating Palestinian
leaders. Allegrone responded that Hamas must meet international
requirements (renounce terrorism, recognize Israel's right to
exist, and uphold existing commitments) to permit progress; she
described the new financial mechanism to facilitate living
conditions for Palestinians. We will also be watching to see
how the referendum proceeds. Parolin suggested that sanctions
have only made Hamas more united, and that confrontation doesn't
lead anywhere. Allegrone noted that the US had spent years

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waiting for Fatah moderates to bring change, and has tried
various approaches during that time; none of that brought the
hoped-for results and we see rather less reason to pin similar
hopes on Hamas moderates. Instead, we need to set clear
standards for acceptable behavior. Parolin remained
unconvinced, but admitted that he had no better solution to
offer.


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Iran
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7. (C) Allegrone raised the significant shift in the US position
toward talking with Iran, marked by Secretary Rice's May speech.
She noted that Italian political director Giulio Terzi had told
her, after meeting the previous day with the Iranian foreign
minister Mottaki, that Iran appeared to be seriously considering
the Western offer. Parolin said Mottaki had not attempted to
contact the Holy See for a meeting during his current visit, but
had frequently pressed for a meeting with the Pope in the past.
Parolin asked if the USG had taken note of the Holy See's recent
statement (ref A, in response to our demarche) and observed that
Israel hadn't liked the Vatican reference to minding the "honor
and sensibilities of each country" in that statement.
Nevertheless, said Parolin, this is a critical point with regard
to Iran. He stressed the need for a diplomatic solution.
Allegrone reiterated that while no US President could simply
renounce any theoretical future use of force, this was certainly
not our aim, and the USG supports fully the EU approach for a
negotiated outcome.


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China
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8. (C) Parolin described the present situation vis a vis China
as a "time of hardship" in contrast to the high hopes of last
year. Things now are very complicated. Both sides have
expressed a desire to move ahead, but the situation is not
conducive to a quick solution. Allegrone asked about Qports
that Archbishop Celli, a prime Vatican interlocutor with China,
would be traveling there soon. Parolin -- who has been notably
cautious with us on China -- appeared somewhat taken aback and
said it would not be soon. DCM noted the continuing public and
private optimism of Cardinal Zen; Parolin said simply "we don't
share it".


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Other
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9. (C) Parolin noted the surprisingly good outcome of Peru's
recent elections and hoped for similar good news in coming
elections in Mexico and Nicaragua. DCM asked about reports that
the Pope might travel to Mexico, Venezuela, and the US in
connection with his confirmed travel to Brazil in 2007; Parolin
dismissed this as pure speculation. However, he noted that the
success of the Pope's first foreign trips has made him somewhat
more enthusiastic about travel.


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COMMENT
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10. (C) Parolin was candid, up to a point: his disavowal of
knowledge about a Celli trip to Beijing stands in contrast to
Cardinal Zen's reported announcement June 20 that a senior
Vatican interlocutor was already in Beijing. His views on the
Middle East are familiar to us. It was interesting, though, to
hear that the Iranian FM had not sought a meeting despite being
in Italy, albeit briefly, since -- as we have often reported --
the Holy See has long maintained a relationship with Iran that
both sides take seriously, and Parolin has appeared in the
recent past to be dropping hints to us about that relationship
(i.e., that perhaps it could be of interest to the USG).
ROONEY