PAPAL NUNCIO CLAIMS DECREASING SUPPORT FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002539 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2018 TAGS: PHUM KIRF KREF IZ SUBJECT: PAPAL NUNCIO CLAIMS DECREASING SUPPORT FOR AUTONOMOUS ZONE Classified By: Pol MinCouns Robert Ford for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with Special Advisor Krajeski and PolOffs on August 7, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Chullikatt claimed that there is decreasing support within the Christian community in northern Iraq for an autonomous zone as the solution to problems of security and marginalization. From his recent trip up north, he said the Christian community feels security is improving but is seeking more local autonomy, whether as part of the KRG or GOI. Chullikatt claimed that if the USG can build some more schools, create new employment opportunities, and help provide basic services such as fixing water pumps, then the Christian communities would stay in Iraq. He said the security situation has improved for Christians in the last two years, but there needs to be additional work. He highlighted the importance for the communities of local autonomy and Christian representation in both local security teams and police forces. He visited Christian IDPs, whom he said have been integrated and welcomed into the local communities. Regarding an upcoming minorities conference, the Papal Nuncio was unsure whether it should be in the framework of a larger interfaith conference or be a separate conference. END SUMMARY. -------------- Improved Security -------------- ¶2. (C) Papal Nuncio Archbishop Chullikatt told Special Advisor Krajeski and PolOffs on August 7 that, based on his observations during his recent travel, the Christian community in north Iraq feels security is improving. The Papal Nuncio traveled to Qara Qosh in Hamdaniya on August 5 for a church opening ceremony and spent several days visiting Christian towns in the Ninewa Plain and in the KRG. He characterized overall conditions as "positive," and said the towns are safe due to local Christian security forces. He was impressed that local Christian security officials in each town coordinated visitor movements between towns, which helped them effectively assess security threats. He added that these Christian forces coordinate with Kurdish Peshmerga. S/I Krajeski added that Christians have joined the Iraqi Police, which the Papal Nuncio said was an important development. He said the situation was different in Mosul, which is still an unsafe area for Christians and the threat of kidnapping persists. -------------- Self-Government, Not Autonomous Zone -------------- ¶3. (C) The Papal Nuncio said that, unlike in previous visits, he heard no one in the Christian community discuss forming an autonomous zone within the KRG, an idea advanced by KRG Finance Minister Sarqis. His impression is that the "Sarqis plan is being phased out." Instead, the communities are asking for a form of self-government in their towns, either as part of the KRG or GOI. He said the priority for the Christian community is improving their quality of life through the building of schools, improving basic services such as water supplies, and providing more job opportunities. He asked for USG aid in areas such as Qara Qosh, Bartella, and Accra; and said that "if you help the minorities, they will stay in Iraq." He emphasized that although the situation has improved for Christians in the last two years, there still needs to be additional support for the communities. -------------- Christian IDPs -------------- ¶4. (C) During his visit, the Papal Nuncio visited Christian IDP camps, which he said had been integrated into local communities and could not be easily identified as IDP camps. He said that the local Christians made the IDPs feel welcome in the communities and helped them find homes and employment. He added that the IDPs are only aware of support coming from Sarqis and asked for aid from the USG. -------------- Interfaith Conference -------------- ¶5. (C) PM Malik told the Ambassador July 29, a few days after his return from the Vatican, that he plans to host an "Islamo-Christian" conference in Iraq. The DCM followed up with Maliki's Chief of Staff on July 30; he confirmed that Maliki had met with Chaldean Patriarch Emmanual Delly and publicly announced that the conference would take place, and that the PMO is forming an interfaith committee to plan it. BAGHDAD 00002539 002 OF 002 The Papal Nuncio said he had not heard many details about the conference, but agreed with S/I Krajeski that it should be sponsored by the GOI and take place in Iraq. He said Iraq needs intercommunal dialogue to address misunderstandings between Muslims (including Kurds from the KRG) and Christians; he was unsure whether a minorities conference should be part of a larger interfaith conference or be a separate conference. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: The Papal Nuncio's report that the autonomous region idea is not the best solution for Christian communities conforms with the views of the Vatican and Iraqi Christian leader Cardinal Delly. Previous reporting has shown conflicting viewpoints among Christian communities about establishing an autonomous zone. His description of Christian IDPs was more positive than is sometimes described by U.S.-based Christian and minority organizations; as has been reported by Ninewa PRT, the Christian IDP camps fare far better than IDP camps of other groups, such as Kurdish minorities. We will work with the Papal Nuncio in identifying projects that can be aided by USG support. CROCKER