IRAQ: NEW VATICAN NUNCIO OPTIMISTIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000087 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/26/2016 TAGS: IZ VT KIRF SOCI PHUM SUBJECT: IRAQ: NEW VATICAN NUNCIO OPTIMISTIC REF: Vatican 0071 CLASSIFIED BY: Peter Martin, Pol/Econ Chief, Vatican, State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Archbishop-designate Francis Chullikatt, soon to be papal nuncio in Baghdad, told the Charge May 25 that he was optimistic about the future in Iraq. He said he saw a "glimmer of hope" in the new government. Chullikatt compared the situation to those in other countries where he has been posted (such as South Africa),and said that there are often difficult obstacles to face when a country has to overcome a troubled past. He said that religious leaders of all faiths had to take the lead in standing up against violence and reminding Iraqis of their common interests. He stressed that effective government was crucial, but noted that "governments come and go." Religious institutions, he continued, are a more permanent part of the fabric of society and can better influence the people. ¶2. (C) Comment: Chullikatt is an experienced diplomat who followed Iraq closely while stationed at the UN (reftel). Though he praised the outgoing nuncio to Iraq, Chullikatt is unlikely to be as critical of USG policy in the media as his colleague was. He will be very open to contact with Embassy Baghdad, though he will want such contact to be very discreet. SANDROLINI