Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07VATICAN33
2007-02-01 12:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:
HOLY SEE COMMENTS ON MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT
how-toVZCZCXRO4805 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHROV #0033 0321234 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 011234Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0651 INFO RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0679
UNCLAS VATICAN 000033
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KISL KPAO PGOV PREL MOPS PTER KAWK PHUM VT
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE COMMENTS ON MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT
REF: 06 STATE 164628
UNCLAS VATICAN 000033
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KISL KPAO PGOV PREL MOPS PTER KAWK PHUM VT
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE COMMENTS ON MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT
REF: 06 STATE 164628
1. (SBU) Per reftel, in October of last year post delivered
points on the Military Commissions Act to various officials in
the Holy See. On January 9 a reply was received from Cardinal
Renato Martino, an influential and outspoken figure who heads
the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Martino's reply
thanked post for the information -- the substantive paragraph of
his letter is quoted in para 2.
2. (SBU) Begin text:
The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace considers with
favour the Military Commissions Act which affirms the
applicability of common article 3 of the Geneva Conventions to
terrorists -- following the important Supreme Court's Hamdan
decision -- and confirms the United States' aim to reach the
fullest adherence of the national detainee policy to the
international human rights standards and humanitarian law. In
particular, the bill strengthens the legal basis for the
detention and trial of terrorists. As emphasized by President
Bush "military commissions will provide a fair trial, in which
the accused are presumed innocent, have access to an attorney,
and can hear all the evidence against them" (Address at the
White House, 17 October 2006). This is a noble commitment and a
valuable step towards a balance between the need of security and
the protection of the rights of every human being.
End text.
SANDROLINI
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KISL KPAO PGOV PREL MOPS PTER KAWK PHUM VT
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE COMMENTS ON MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT
REF: 06 STATE 164628
1. (SBU) Per reftel, in October of last year post delivered
points on the Military Commissions Act to various officials in
the Holy See. On January 9 a reply was received from Cardinal
Renato Martino, an influential and outspoken figure who heads
the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Martino's reply
thanked post for the information -- the substantive paragraph of
his letter is quoted in para 2.
2. (SBU) Begin text:
The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace considers with
favour the Military Commissions Act which affirms the
applicability of common article 3 of the Geneva Conventions to
terrorists -- following the important Supreme Court's Hamdan
decision -- and confirms the United States' aim to reach the
fullest adherence of the national detainee policy to the
international human rights standards and humanitarian law. In
particular, the bill strengthens the legal basis for the
detention and trial of terrorists. As emphasized by President
Bush "military commissions will provide a fair trial, in which
the accused are presumed innocent, have access to an attorney,
and can hear all the evidence against them" (Address at the
White House, 17 October 2006). This is a noble commitment and a
valuable step towards a balance between the need of security and
the protection of the rights of every human being.
End text.
SANDROLINI