HOLY SEE: BACKGROUND ON MEETING OF SUDANESE PRESIDENT WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000135

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/26/2017
TAGS: PREL VT
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE: BACKGROUND ON MEETING OF SUDANESE PRESIDENT WITH
POPE BENEDICT XVI


CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher Sandrolini, DCM, EXEC, State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)

1. (C) Summary. The Holy See's point man on Sudan provided DCM
September 26 with some background to the recent meeting of
Sudanese President Bashir with Pope Benedict XVI; the meeting
went well, according to the Vatican. End summary.


2. (SBU) DCM spoke briefly September 26 with Monsignor Francesco
Cavina, the Holy See's director for Southern Africa, concerning
the September 14 visit to the Vatican of Sudanese President Omar
Bashir. During the visit Bashir met with Pope Benedict XVI and
the Secretary for Relations with States (i.e., foreign
minister),Archbishop Dominique Mamberti -- who formerly served
as apostolic nuncio in Khartoum. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the
Secretary of State (who normally meets with visiting heads of

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state) was unavailable due to foreign travel.


3. (U) The Holy See released a communique after the visit
noting that Bashir had been received by the Pope at the summer
residence in Castelgandolfo. The communique stated that
"discussions focused on the country's political and religious
situation, with particular reference to the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement and to the situation in Darfur. On this matter, very
positive views were expressed concerning fresh peace
negotiations for Darfur, due to be held October 27 in Libya."
After expressing the Holy See's hopes for a successful outcome
in Libya, the communique added that other subjects of joint
interest were considered, including defense of life and of the
family, human rights including religious freedom,
inter-religious dialogue, and the importance of cooperation
between believers of all religions ("in particular Christians
and Muslims") for peace and common good. The communique
concluded with a reiteration of the positive role of the
Catholic Church and its institutions in Sudanese society,
especially in education.


4. (C) Cavina said the visit had been at Bashir's request, and
had been encouraged by Sudan's Catholic bishops, something of a
turnabout from past years. Apart from peace talks, the meetings
at the Holy See also focused on demarcating boundaries between
north and south Sudan, and in difficulties of conducting a
census to facilitate elections and a referendum on the country's
fundamental structure. Cavina said Bashir seemed preoccupied
with sanctions, returning to the subject several times and
expressing fear of the harm they would cause the people. (He
added that Bashir was doubtless also worried about the effect of
sanctions on his government.)


6. (C) According to Cavina, the situation regarding religious
freedom in Sudan is better than in the past. However, it remains
often difficult or impossible to obtain permission to build
churches or schools. Interfaith dialogue is healthy in Sudan,
especially in the predominantly Christian south where extended
families often include members of different religions. Muslim
leaders recognize the good efforts of the Catholic Church, and
government officials are coming to consider the Church as one of
the few avenues towards a viable solution of the country's
problems of coexistence. In general, Cavina felt that Bashir
had made a good impression during his visit.


7. (SBU) Comment: this was a brief meeting, but Cavina was
quite open. Embassy will follow up on Sudan and other African
issues in the near future.

SANDROLINI