RUSSIA-GEORGIA CONFLICT: HOLY SEE FOCUSED ON CIVILIANS AND

UNCLAS VATICAN 000063

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF RU GG VT
SUBJECT: RUSSIA-GEORGIA CONFLICT: HOLY SEE FOCUSED ON CIVILIANS AND
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

REF: STATE 89769


1. (SBU) Summary: The Holy See is very concerned about the
conflict in Georgia, and in particular about the needs of
civilians affected by the fighting. The Pope has publicly
addressed these concerns in recent statements. The Holy See has
not been asked to mediate in the conflict. End summary.


2. (SBU) PolChief delivered reftel demarche to Monsignor Julio
Murat, Director for the Caucasus at the Holy See Secretariat of
State Second Section (MFA equivalent),on August 22. Murat
noted that the Pope had made two public statements regarding the
conflict, and that other statements may follow. The Pope first
appealed for peace from Bressanone (northern Italy) on August

10. Later, on August 17, from his summer residence in Castel
Gandolfo, the Pope asked the international community for
assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons, and
called for humanitarian corridors to be opened between South
Ossetia and the rest of Georgia. (Note: See paragraph 5 for the
Pope's August 17 statement).


3. (U) Murat reiterated the Holy See's concern for civilians and
hoped that all parties in the conflict would respect and allow
the work of humanitarian agencies.


4. (SBU) Murat was not aware of the comments that Archbishop
Claudio Gugerotti --the Holy See Nuncio in Tbilisi-- had made
regarding the availability of the Vatican to mediate in the
conflict, but confirmed that the parties had not approached the
Holy See to request its mediation. (Note: During an interview
with Catholic News Services on August 21, Gugerotti stated that
"We are always ready to consider a request for mediation and to
offer our services. But the parties have to want this, and so
far no one has asked anything of us." End note.)


5. (U) Following is Post's informal translation of the Pope's
reference to the conflict in Georgia, delivered during his
weekly public address on August 17:

Begin Text:

With great concern I continue to follow attentively the
situation in Georgia, and feel particular affinity with the
victims of the conflict. While offering prayers for the dead
and expressing sincere condolences to those in mourning, I
appeal for generosity in responding to the desperate situation
of the refugees, in particular women and children who lack even
the basic necessities of life. I ask for the opening, without
further delay, of humanitarian corridors between the region of
South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia, so that the dead who have
been abandoned may receive a dignified burial, the wounded may
be adequately treated, and people who desire to do so may be
allowed to reach their loved ones. It is important that ethnic
minorities in the conflict region be protected and their
inalienable fundamental rights respected. I hope that the
cease-fire, reached with help from the European Union, will last
and become a stable peace, and I call on the international
community to make every effort to reach a permanent solution,
through dialogue and mutual good will.

End text.

GLENDON