HOLY SEE: DEPUTY FM DISCUSSION WITH SENATOR ALLEN FOCUSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 000092

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/31/2016
TAGS: PREL PARM VT
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE: DEPUTY FM DISCUSSION WITH SENATOR ALLEN FOCUSES
ON IRAN; CONCERNS AND POSSIBLE HINT

REF: (a) Vatican 077, (b) Vatican 051, (c) Vatican 067, (d) Vatican 064

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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 and visiting Senator Allen
had a long and occasionally pointed discussion May 28 on Iran
and other topics. Parolin appeared intent on using the meeting
to remind the USG of the Holy See's opposition to military
action against Iran, and also seemed to signal interest in a
possible Holy See role as an interlocutor with Iran. End
summary.



2. (C) Senator George Allen, accompanied by DCM, called on
Monsignor Pietro Parolin on May 28. Parolin is the
Undersecretary for Relations with States (the Holy See's
equivalent to a deputy foreign minister). Parolin was
accompanied by Monsignor Ettore Ballestrero, who covers a number
of multilateral agencies. The meeting ran longer than expected,
and included some pointed exchanges on Iran and disarmament, as
well as briefer discussion of Iraq, the Middle East, and China.


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Iraq
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3. (C) Senator Allen noted that he would be visiting Iraq in a
few days, and commented on the importance he attached to the
"four pillars of freedom": freedom of religion, freedom of
expression, respect for private property, and rule of law.
Responding to the first point, Parolin expressed the Holy See's
concern about the Iraqi constitution and the primacy it gives to
shari'a, a point the Holy See has repeatedly raised with us. No
one talks about it much anymore, said Parolin, but we see it as
a potential threat to the Christian presence in Iraq.
Christians there feel unsafe, and are fleeing; since in general
they are better educated and have relatives abroad, they are
freer than others to consider emigrating. We don't want a
Middle East without Christians, he said.


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Iran
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4. (C) Parolin shifted to a discussion of Iran, noting that the
Holy See has had diplomatic relations with Iran for 52 years --
"longer than with the United States". He cited a remark by
former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger suggesting that the
United States might wait 15 months for Iran to give up its
nuclear weapons quest before turning to military means, and
asked if this was the official USG position. Allen responded
that it was not, and that the United States and Europe are
working to prevent Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapons
capability by diplomatic means. He emphasized that our problem
is not with the people of Iran but with its leaders, who persist
in outrageous statements (e.g. about Israel) that call their
rationality into question.



5. (C) The senator agreed that Iran had a right to develop
nuclear energy for peaceful uses, but cited Iran's sponsorship
of terrorism and extreme behavior as factors making its current
nuclear quest very dangerous. Allen emphasized that while no
responsible American government could absolutely forswear an
ultimate recourse to force, this would truly be a last resort,
not desired by anyone. Parolin spoke of the complexity of the
situation, the consideration of national pride, and the
existence of moderates as well as hard-liners in the Iranian
government. The Holy See, for its part, urges Iran to work
toward resolution of this issue in an IAEA framework.



6. (C) Senator Allen asked directly "do you trust them?"
Parolin answered somewhat uncomfortably that the Holy See would
like to trust everyone. He recalled telling EUR PDAS Kurt
Volker (ref A) that the Holy See cannot see any reason for
military action against Iran; instead, problems must be resolved
through dialogue. Allen demurred, noting again that
negotiations were certainly preferable, but that Iranian leaders
needed to know that US patience is not unlimited and that the
constant provocations of President Ahmadinejad could not pass
unnoticed. Parolin pressed his case, urging that the US try an
approach to build confidence and avoid the "logic of
confrontation"; he repeated that the Holy See is "very, very
concerned" about the consequences of a military conflict.
Parolin did not have any specific recommendations for the USG
other than to try to ease tensions rather than escalate them,

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and to seek to open Iranian society.



7. (C) DCM asked if Iran had expressed interest in such
confidence building in its contacts with the Holy See, either in
Rome or Teheran. Parolin said nothing specific had been
mentioned, but that the Holy See stood ready to help. Senator
Allen said that the Holy See's relatively good relations with
Iran might enable it to play a helpful role. He observed that
Ahmadinejad's letter to President Bush was seen in Washington as
offensive, but he had heard others suggest it might have been
well-intentioned. Parolin said there were rumors that
Ahmadinejad might write to Pope Benedict XVI; if true, this
could be an opportunity. He added that he could not predict how
the Pope might respond to such a letter, and noted the Holy
See's need to remain neutral. However, he emphasized that the
Holy See was clear in its disapproval of the incendiary remarks
by Iranian leaders. Both in January and at Easter, the pope --
unusually -- had replied with an open and categorical
condemnation of Ahmadinejad's earlier denial of Israel's right
to exist. Allen asked if the US should enter into direct
dialogue with Iran. The main point, said Parolin, is to engage.


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Disarmament
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8. (C) Parolin noted that the Holy See always favors
disarmament. As Pope Benedict XV had lamented on the eve of
WWI, those who have weapons feel impelled to use them;
disarmament is the way to promote peace. Noting Allen's
skepticism, Parolin conceded that complete disarmament was
unrealistic, but at least further accumulation of weapons should
be avoided. Balestrero spoke up, saying the US was in a unique
position in this regard. Pressed for details by Senator Allen,
Balestrero said sometimes the US gives the impression that
disarmament is not a top priority. At least, he said, no
contradictory signals should be given to the cause of
disarmament. (FYI, Ref D describes Holy See support for the
Proliferation Security Initiative).


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Other Topics
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9. (C) Parolin said the Holy See agrees with the international
community entirely that Hamas must renounce violence, live up to
its commitments, and recognize Israel's right to exist; the
question, he said, is how to get there. Parolin wondered aloud
whether the current US policy was the right path to get Hamas on
board.



10. (C) Allen and Parolin discussed the gradual evolution of
China, hoping it would lead in time to more democracy and
religious freedom and less international obstructionism.


COMMENT


11. (C) What would normally have been a 20-minute meeting
stretched over an hour, with Parolin and Balestrero occasionally
pressing more directly than usual for them. (There were several
points at which pauses in the conversation might well have led
to the conclusion of the meeting, but instead led to further
exchanges.) Parolin seemed particularly focused while
discussing Iran, as though looking for signs that his message
was hitting home, or perhaps hinting that the Holy See could
help the US develop a dialogue with Iran. This is not the first
such hint from the Holy See (ref B). Balestrero's unprompted
intervention on disarmament was also a bit stronger than the
typical delicacy of Holy See diplomacy. It was clear that both
men considered Senator Allen to be an important interlocutor,
and that they saw his visit as more than a routine courtesy call.



12. (U) Senator Allen did not have an opportunity to clear this
message prior to his departure.



SANDROLINI
ROONEY