HOLY SEE - VIETNAM: DELEGATION'S VISIT ANOTHER STEP FORWARD

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 VATICAN 000046 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/WE LARREA E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/28/2017 TAGS: PHUM SOCI KIRF PGOV PREL VM VT SUBJECT: HOLY SEE - VIETNAM: DELEGATION'S VISIT ANOTHER STEP FORWARD REF: A) MARTIN LARREA FEB 22 EMAIL; B) HANOI 336; C) HANOI 317; D) 03 VATICAN 5352; E) 04 VATICAN 1988; F) VATICAN 672; G) HANOI 275 VATICAN 00000046 001.2 OF 003 CLASSIFIED BY: Peter Martin, Pol/Econ Chief, Vatican, State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (S) Holy See Deputy FM Parolin told us February 26 that a Vatican delegation's trip to Vietnam next week would offer a good opportunity for progress in relations between the two sides following January's historic visit by PM Dzung to Pope Benedict. Officials told us the recent detention of dissident priest Nguyen Van Ly (ref a,b,c) would not be a factor in the visit; the Vatican sees Ly's as a unique case that is not evidence of a nascent crackdown or any particular statement by the GoVN. Officials were generally positive about the situation in Vietnam, but did not predict the establishment of full diplomatic relations or a papal visit to Vietnam in the near future (ref g). End Summary. -------------- Chance for Progress -------------- ¶2. (C) Holy See Deputy FM equivalent Pietro Parolin told us February 26 that a visit by a Vatican delegation to Vietnam next week would help further relations between the two sides. The visit follows January's meeting between Pope Benedict and Vietnamese PM Dzung. "Our overall goal is to take further steps towards the establishment of diplomatic relations," Parolin said. ¶3. (C) Parolin will travel with Holy See Country Director for Vietnam Luis Montemayor, and Van Phuong Barnabe Nguyen from the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Vatican department that oversees most ecclesiastical matters for Vietnam. The visit has been an annual event for the Holy See, though last year's personnel changes in the Holy See Secretariat of State (a new Secretary of State and Foreign Minister equivalent) pushed the trip into 2007. During a separate February 26 meeting Montemayor told us that the delegation was eager to visit Kontom in the Central Highlands, an area that they had not received permission to visit in the past. Getting away from the big cities and into the countryside to examine conditions there would be an important part of the trip, he said. -------------- Ly Detention Not an Issue -------------- ¶4. (S) Montemayor (protect throughout) said the detention of dissident priest Nguyen Van Ly (ref a,b,c) would not be a factor in the visit. He said that Ly's case was unique and that he didn't take his detention as evidence of a nascent crackdown or any particular statement by the GoVN. The Holy See has always made it clear that it regards the government's action towards Ly as politically and not religiously motivated (ref d,e). Montemayor repeated views we have heard before at the Vatican - that rash behavior had gotten Ly into his predicament - and had put the Church in an awkward position. Montemayor said that in advance of the PM's visit to the pope, he had received a petition of protest from Ly and a few other activists, signed by many in the Vietnamese Diaspora. Montemayor didn't see how provocative acts like this could escape the notice of the authorities. [Note: Our conversation with Montemayor preceded reports in the Vatican-based media later that day that Vietnamese authorities had taken further steps against Ly. End note.] He remarked upon Ly's strained relationship with his bishop, who, while not aggressive in standing up to government authorities, was "hardly a collaborator". VATICAN 00000046 002.2 OF 003 ¶5. (C) In general, Montemayor said, the Vietnamese Diaspora needed to recognize that times were different now in Vietnam, and the Vatican's approach had changed. Years ago, he said, the Holy See was concerned about helping people get out of the country, and worried about their well-being once they left. Now, he continued, the Vatican was focusing more on the situation for those (Catholics) who remain in Vietnam, trying to work prudently to improve their opportunities for religious freedom - and their general well-being. -------------- Situation Improved -------------- ¶6. (C) Montemayor was generally positive about the situation for the Church in Vietnam, pointing out that persecution of Catholics was not a nation-wide policy. It only occurs in certain areas where local authorities decide to flex their muscles, he said. Often, according to Montemayor, Catholics were caught up in restrictions placed on Protestant churches - sometimes because they were mistaken for Protestants. While not ignoring the plight of Protestants in Vietnam, Montemayor said the situation showed the improving fortunes of the Catholic Church. What Vietnam eventually needs, Montemayor went on, is a national reconciliation to come to grips with the war and its aftermath. According to Montemayor, the Catholic Church might play a useful role in the endeavor. -------------- Normalization of Relations, Papal Visit -------------- ¶7. (C) The Dzung visit was certainly an important step towards the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Vietnam. In this context, this latest Vatican delegation to travel to Vietnam has the opportunity to make further strides. However, as reported previously, there are intermediate steps likely to be taken before full diplomatic relations are established, most probably the appointment of an apostolic delegate to the local Church (as opposed to the government) who would enjoy great freedom of movement in the country. ¶8. (C) Ref (g) speculates further on the possibility of a papal visit to Vietnam in the aftermath of the March delegation's visit. As a long-term possibility, this is not out of the question, but is unlikely to occur in the near future. The aging Pope Benedict's few trips abroad have been planned long in advance, and, thus far he has not ventured out of Europe, except for his celebrated trip to Turkey. His planned May trip to Brazil is the only major trip currently on his plate for 2007. The pope is planning to participate in the Catholic Church's World Youth Day in Australia in June, 2008, raising the possibility of a stopover in Vietnam. Even if relations between two sides continue to improve, however, it would be a lot to ask of an 81-year-old to combine the trip to Australia with one to Vietnam. For now, one contact firmly told us that such speculation was "premature". -------------- Comment -------------- VATICAN 00000046 003.2 OF 003 ¶9. (C) Post continues to encourage the Holy See's growing openness to Vietnam. Vatican officials were very interested when we passed them the most recent IRF report and news that Vietnam was no longer a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). Parolin and other officials have cited the IRF report more than once in the context of their firmer relations with the GoVN. The upcoming Holy See visit to Vietnam offers another chance to move ahead, albeit slowly. SANDROLINI