HOLY SEE: FURTHER DISCUSSION ON LEBANON

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000160 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/1/2016 TAGS: PREL VT LE SUBJECT: HOLY SEE: FURTHER DISCUSSION ON LEBANON REF: (a) Vatican 159; (b) State 124950, CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher Sandrolini, Charge d'affaires a.i., EXEC, State. REASON: 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Vatican acting FM Parolin called in charge for further discussion on Lebanon. Charge reviewed USG position and confirmed that Parolin's request for USG support of an extension to the 48-hour pause had been relayed to Washington. The Vatican has twice spoken to Israel about this but received negative replies. Parolin thought the pope would again call for a ceasefire August 2. End summary. ¶2. (C) Per ref a, Charge d'affaires was called in August 1 to see acting foreign minister Parolin about Lebanon. During discussion, charge drew upon points provided ref B, emphasizing USG concern and grief over loss of innocent life; the right of Israel to defend itself; the ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, achieve a sustainable ceasefire and long-term settlement backed by an international force; the fact that the conflict began because of Hizbollah's terrorist acts; the need for Syria and Iran to act responsibly. Charge also confirmed that he had conveyed to Washington Parolin's earlier request that the USG press Israel to extend the 48-hour suspension of air attacks. ¶3. (C) Parolin said that he had spoken with Israeli ambassador Ben Hur by telephone with the same request, and that Foreign Minister Lajolo had spoken with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni two days ago. Both Ben Hur and Livni had stated Israel's unwillingness to accept a ceasefire until conditions would permit that ceasefire to be sustainable; Livni had also noted the likelihood that Hizbollah would use such a pause to resupply. Parolin said he had also spoken to the French, German, and Egyptian ambassadors or charges. ¶4. (C) Parolin said that Pope Benedict XVI would probably make another call for peace on August 2, and that the pope's Angelus statement on July 30 was an unambiguous call for an immediate ceasefire. The Holy See recognized that Israel had military reasons to continue its attack, but could not do otherwise than to seek an immediate halt to the violence. Parolin expressed doubt that military action could reach a satisfactory outcome any time soon. He wondered when the USG expected to the international community to be able to reach an agreement on a ceasefire. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Parolin, just back from a holiday, was still catching up on Lebanon, and appreciated hearing the USG position. There is no doubting the seriousness with which the Holy See regards the situation, and its apprehension that things will get worse in the region. We will watch closely for the pope's remarks tomorrow. SANDROLINI