Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VATICAN60
2009-04-24 17:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:
VATICAN AND ARAB LEAGUE SIGN AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE PEACE AND
how-toVZCZCXRO8682 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHDH RUEHFL RUEHGI RUEHIK RUEHJS RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHPW RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHTRO RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHROV #0060 1141754 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 241754Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1102 INFO RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0063 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0056 RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 1139
UNCLAS VATICAN 000060
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM SOCI KISL KIRF SCUL PTER VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN AND ARAB LEAGUE SIGN AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE PEACE AND
DIALOGUE
UNCLAS VATICAN 000060
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM SOCI KISL KIRF SCUL PTER VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN AND ARAB LEAGUE SIGN AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE PEACE AND
DIALOGUE
¶1. (U) The Holy See and the Arab League signed a Memorandum of
Understanding April 23 to strengthen joint projects to promote
peace and dialogue, especially on the political and cultural
level. The Memorandum was signed by Archbishop Dominique
Mamberti, representing the Holy See, and by Amr Moussa, the
Secretary of the Arab League. The Holy See and the League
established diplomatic relations in 2000. The League has a
representative to the Holy See based in Rome, while the Holy
See's representative to the League is the nuncio in Cairo,
Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald.
¶2. (U) According to a Vatican statement released after the
signing ceremony, the new agreement further consolidates the
bonds of collaboration existing between the Holy See and the
League of Arab States, especially on a political and cultural
level, in favor of peace, security and regional and
international stability. The agreement also "proposes
instruments of consultation between the two parties with
attention also to initiatives of interreligious dialogue," the
statement said. Post will post the text of the agreement on its
Diplopedia portal page when available (http://vatican.state.gov).
¶3. (SBU) Comment: Speaking to CDA later in the day on the
margins of a diplomatic event, the Vatican's deputy foreign
minister, Monsignor Pietro Parolin, said the agreement
highlighted the Church's firm resolve to continue with
inter-faith dialogue in order to promote understanding and
reduce global tensions. While there is no doubt that this was a
key Holy See motivation to sign the accord at this time, it is
also quite likely that the Vatican wished to make a tangible
gesture to its Arab and Muslim partners on the eve of the Pope's
visit to Israel, to demonstrate the Church's even-handedness and
credibility to deal with Middle East peace issues. End Comment.
NOYES