LEBANON: VATICAN MONITORS AID, CALLS FOR MORE RAW MATERIALS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 000180

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA, NEA, DRL/IRF MATES

E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/30/2016
TAGS: PTER SOCI PHUM KIRF LE IS VT
SUBJECT: LEBANON: VATICAN MONITORS AID, CALLS FOR MORE RAW MATERIALS

REF: A) VATICAN 178; B) VATICAN 179

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CLASSIFIED BY: Peter Martin, Pol/Econ Chief, Vatican, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)



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Summary

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1. (C) Echoing a recent diplomatic note sent to the Embassy
(ref a),Holy See Country Director for the Middle East Coppola
told us August 29 that the Lebanese people needed raw materials
for building and other reconstruction projects. Coppola
described his recent trip with a papal envoy to Lebanon during
which he saw a surprising unity among Lebanese of various faiths
- and an increased resentment of Israel. According to Coppola,
aid efforts were progressing, despite obstacles presented by the
embargo of Lebanon. He said the Holy See had been pleasantly
surprised by a gift of one million euros to Vatican-affiliated
aid organization Caritas by the United Arab Emirates. Coppola
emphasized the importance of Lebanon as an example to the region
and the world that Christians and Muslims can live together,
each protected by the rule of law. End Summary.

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Materials Needed

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2. (C) Holy See Country Director for the Middle East Franco
Coppola told us August 29 that the Lebanese people needed raw
materials for building and other projects in order to proceed
with reconstruction efforts. He said the Holy See understood
the need to keep Hezbollah from rearming, but that the embargo
was hindering recovery. Coppola's statements came shortly after
the Vatican sent us a diplomatic note on the subject (ref a).

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Trip with Papal Envoy

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3. (C) Coppola had accompanied papal envoy and former head of
the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Roger
Etchegaray, to Lebanon immediately after the cease-fire was
established. He described meetings with President Lahoud and
Prime Minister Sinora as mainly courtesy calls since the visit
was "pastoral rather than political." The two also met with
Grand Mufti Sheikh Mouhammad Rachid Kobbani, but had to cancel
an appointment with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Commenting
on the conversations with these figures and others the two had
met, Coppola said he had seen a surprising unity among Lebanese
of various faiths. When the violence began, he said, the
Christian and Sunni communities were happy at the prospect of a
lessening of Hezbollah influence. But the excesses of the
subsequent Israeli attacks had created some unity among Shiites,
Sunnis, and Christians. Now, Coppola said, there was greater
resentment of Israel, and common understanding that
implementation of the UNSCR resolution should be done very
carefully.

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Moderating Influence

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4. (C) Coppola also spoke of the importance of the Christian
community in Lebanon as a stabilizing and moderating presence
both inside Lebanon and in the greater Middle East. (Note: As
noted in ref (b),Deputy Foreign Minister Parolin said much the
same to CODEL Shays). While the Sunni and Shia communities do
not always cooperate with each other, both have extensive
experience dealing with the Christian community, he said.
Coppola recounted a conversation between the former papal nuncio
to Lebanon and Hezbollah leader Nasrallah some years ago.
Nasrallah said he was appreciative of the Christian presence in
Lebanon because it kept the country from "becoming like Saudi
Arabia or Iran." According to Coppola, who served previously in
Beirut, many Muslims openly acknowledge the liberalizing
influence of the Christian community in Lebanon and are thankful
that it discourages the advent of a more fundamentalist Islamic
society.


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Mass Draws Crowd

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5. (SBU) Coppola noted the large throng (some 6,000) that
attended a mass said by Etchegaray at the Basilica of Our Lady
of Lebanon in Harissa. "We were surprised that after everything
that happened and with the disorder still in evidence that such
a large crowd would come," he said. Coppola described emotional
interaction with Maronite Catholics still reeling from the
conflict.

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Aid

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6. (C) We had forwarded to Coppola previously an accounting of
U.S. aid for Lebanese reconstruction, and statements by the
President on the subject. We pressed these points again, noting
the publicity given to Hezbollah cash giveaways. According to
Coppola, aid efforts were progressing, despite problems with the
embargo mentioned above. He and Etchegaray met with officials
from the Catholic aid organization Caritas, who noted that
Christian IDPs had been slower to return to their homes than
Muslims, mainly because of the location of their homes in the
south. Coppola said the Holy See had been pleasantly surprised
by a gift of one million euros to Caritas by the United Arab
Emirates.

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Comment

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7. (C) As noted in ref (a),Vatican engagement on Lebanon
continues at a high level. Coppola emphasized to us that the
importance the Holy See places on the country is not simply
concern for the well-being of its Christian population or its
moderating influence. "It's more than that," he said.
According to Coppola, Lebanon is an example to the region and
the world that Christians and Muslims can live together, each
protected by the rule of law. Muslims in any number of other
countries in the region can see this coexistence and realize
that religious tolerance and peace are possible. As more
Christians leave, however, Coppola worries that this example
will become less and less relevant.
ROONEY