VATICAN ADDRESSED HUMAN RIGHTS WITH LUKASHENKA

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000064 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/30/2029 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF BO VT SUBJECT: VATICAN ADDRESSED HUMAN RIGHTS WITH LUKASHENKA REF: VATICAN 62 CLASSIFIED BY: Rafael Foley, A/DCM. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) The Vatican's point person on relations with Belarus, Monsignor Julio Murat, told ADCM on April 29 that human rights were discussed during the meetings that President Lukashenka had with the Pope and Secretary of State Bertone on April 27 (reftel). Murat added that most of the conversation had to do with the Catholic Church in Belarus. Following the meeting, the Vatican issued an official statement, which mentioned that the discussions had touched on "certain internal problems of the country". See paragraph 4 for the full text of the official statement. ¶2. (C) Murat dismissed press reports that claimed Lukashenka was "intermediating" between Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kyrill and the Pope, stating that "we have contacts with the Orthodox Church at many levels. We have specific offices at the Vatican dealing with that issue". The Vatican, he said, could not prevent Lukashenka from talking about the Catholic Church with Kyrill or others, but this had no impact on overall Catholic-Orthodox dialogue. Regarding Catholic-Orthodox relations in Belarus specifically, Murat said the two communities were living side by side and in peace, with good communication between Catholic and Orthodox priests. Significantly, a Catholic theologian was teaching at an Orthodox seminary, an important sign of acceptance and respect. Recognition of the "historic presence" of Catholics in Belarus was also very important. Albeit a minority (approximately 12 to 15 per cent of the population),it was important to underline there have always been Catholics in the country. The goal now, he added, was to open more spaces for Catholic institutions to provide social services, incrementally. ¶3. (C) Comment: Murat did not specify if the Pope himself raised human rights. It is likely that the issue was left for the Holy See's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, to address with Lukashenka and Belarus Foreign Minister Martinov in their separate meeting. While the Holy See shares U.S. concerns regarding human rights in Belarus -- which ADCM transmitted again to Murat -- very rarely will the Vatican criticize another Head of State publicly. The Vatican prefers to address these issues privately, and is very patient in waiting for results. End comment. ¶4. (U) The Vatican released the following official statement following the Pope's meeting with Lukashenka on April 27: Begin text: "This morning, His Holiness Benedict XVI received in audience His Excellency Mr. Aleksandr Lukashenka, President of the Republic of Belarus. Subsequently, the Head of State, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sergei Martinov, met His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, and His Excellency Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States. During the discussions, which took place in a positive atmosphere, consideration was given to various matters concerning the relationship between faith and reason, and to inter-confessional and inter-cultural dialogue. Attention also turned to the international issues associated with promoting peace and the true progress of humankind, as well as to certain internal problems of the country, questions concerning the Catholic Church in Belarus and the prospects for deeper collaboration between the two sides. Finally the peaceful coexistence characterizing relations between the Catholic and Orthodox communities, and with other religious confessions, was noted." End text. NOYES