EMBASSY VATICAN HIV/AIDS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 000003 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE JLARREA, S/GAC DYBUL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: VT PREL PHUM TBIO SOCI KHIV SUBJECT: EMBASSY VATICAN HIV/AIDS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, USG REF: A. 05VATICAN 493 ¶B. VATICAN 26 ¶C. VATICAN 490 VATICAN 00000003 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Post's December 20 HIV/AIDS conference focused on combating the spread of AIDS with a special focus on partnerships with faith-based organizations. High level and knowledgeable speakers from the Holy See, Caritas, UNAIDS, Sant'Egidio, and the private sector combined with a dedicated and involved audience to create a very successful event. End summary. ¶2. (U) Ambassador Rooney opened Post's AIDS conference on December 20 with an overview of PEPFAR and the USG's 15 billion dollar commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS. In his opening remarks, the Ambassador highlighted the contributions of faith-based organizations and the increasing quality of care resulting from them. He reminded the attendees that the USG is committed to continuing efforts against HIV/AIDS and is looking for creative ways to work with those affected by this terrible disease because Americans care. ¶3. (U) UNAIDS representative Karen Stanecki discussed ways in which the UN works on the ground in affected countries to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and to care for those already infected. One program that Ms. Stanecki brought to light was a program in Iran for at-risk IV drug users based on Muslim theology. She described the program as a comprehensive care package including methadone therapy and needle exchange based on theological analysis. While Ms. Stanecki didn't get into many details on this program, it caught the attention of guests and participants alike. ¶4. (U) The Sant'Egidio Drug Resource Enhancement Against AIDS and Malnutrition (DREAM) project is an NGO on the ground in the African countries most affected by HIV/AIDS, distributing anti-retroviral drugs (ARVS),educating people on the spread of the virus and how to prevent it, and giving palliative care for those who are at the end stage (reftel c). Dr. Leonardo Palombi, Scientific Director of the DREAM project, presented their unique holistic approach which includes addressing the problem of malnutrition as a key factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS. He pointed out that malnutrition weakens people to 
the point that they are far more susceptible to HIV/AIDS infection and that those who are already infected and suffering from malnutrition have even more difficulty fighting the virus (reftel b). ¶5. (U) Fr. Bob Vitillo, Special Advisor on HIV/AIDS for Caritas Internationalis, explained his organization's approach to fighting HIV/AIDS through a program of training, advocacy, and partnering with Catholic bishops' conferences throughout the world. Caritas faces the challenges of fighting HIV/AIDS within the teachings of the Catholic Church, which adds a significant layer to its work. Caritas was recently recognized by UNAIDS for its "Choose to Care" program as a best practice in fighting HIV/AIDS. "Choose to Care" was selected for this recognition due to its on-the-ground, faith-based program that helps AIDS victims of all sorts in various ways, such as caring for the orphans resulting from the death of parents infected with AIDS or hospice care for end-stage patients. Fr. Vitillo thanked the USG for the funding and trust given to faith-based organizations. ¶6. (U) This event was attended by more than 100 people including ambassadors, Curia members, clergy, and journalists. The conference was covered in the International Herald Tribune and many Catholic media outlets. Apart from attracting attention, it also generated real interest; for example, the British ambassador praised it as the best he'd seen on the subject this year. During the question and answer session, a Nigerian priest got up to declare passionately that Africans have been underestimated ("we are not animals!") and can indeed defeat HIV/AIDS. His vehement words were met with enthusiastic applause and attendees are still commenting on his participation. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Media attending the conference focused on VATICAN 00000003 002.2 OF 002 the unexpected stance of Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan -- until now an advocate of tolerance for condom use in certain circumstances -- calling now for chastity and monogamous marriage as the keys to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS (reftel a). We hear that the Cardinal has been pressured from above to fall in line with the Vatican's stance. We remain anxious to see if his widely publicized document favoring a more liberal approach toward condom use ever appears. The Cardinal has been named as the Vatican's special envoy to the celebrations of World Day of the Sick in South Korea in February. Presentations from the conference will be available in their entirety on Post's website. End Comment. SANDROLINI