

Currently released so far... 12646 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AORC
AF
AU
ASEC
AMGT
AS
APER
AR
AEMR
AG
ARF
AJ
AA
AINF
APECO
AODE
ABLD
AMG
ATPDEA
AE
AMED
AGAO
AFIN
AL
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AID
ASCH
AM
AORL
ASEAN
APEC
ADM
AFSI
AFSN
ADCO
ABUD
AN
AY
AIT
ACOA
ASIG
AADP
AGR
ANET
ADPM
AMCHAMS
ATRN
ALOW
ACS
APCS
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
ACABQ
AGMT
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AFU
BR
BTIO
BY
BO
BA
BU
BL
BN
BM
BF
BEXP
BK
BG
BB
BTIU
BBSR
BRUSSELS
BD
BIDEN
BE
BH
BILAT
BC
BT
BP
BX
BMGT
BWC
CS
CA
CH
CD
CO
CE
CU
CVIS
CASC
CJAN
CI
CPAS
CMGT
CDG
CIC
CAC
CBW
CWC
COUNTER
CW
CT
CR
CY
CNARC
CACM
CG
CB
CM
CV
CIDA
CLINTON
CHR
COE
CIS
CDC
CONS
CF
CFED
CODEL
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CARSON
COPUOS
CIA
CL
CN
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CACS
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CARICOM
CSW
CITT
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
EAID
ECON
EFIS
ETRD
EC
ENRG
EINV
EFIN
EAGR
ETTC
ECPS
EINT
EPET
ES
EIND
EAIR
EU
EUN
EG
ELAB
EWWT
EMIN
ECIN
ESA
ER
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EAIG
ET
ETRO
ELTN
EI
EN
EUR
EK
EUMEM
ENIV
EPA
ENGR
EXTERNAL
EUREM
ELN
EUC
ENERG
EZ
ERD
EFTA
ETRC
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ENVR
ESENV
ENNP
ERNG
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
EFINECONCS
EXIM
ELECTIONS
ECA
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
IC
IV
IAEA
IR
IT
IO
IN
IS
IZ
IMO
IPR
IWC
ICAO
ILO
ID
ICTY
ICJ
INMARSAT
INDO
IL
IMF
IRS
IQ
IA
ICRC
IDA
IAHRC
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
IDP
IGAD
ILC
ITRA
ICTR
ITU
IBET
ITF
INRA
INRO
INTELSAT
IEFIN
IRC
IRAQI
ITALY
ISRAELI
IIP
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
INTERPOL
IEA
INRB
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
KBTR
KPAO
KOMC
KCRM
KDEM
KHIV
KBIO
KTIA
KMDR
KNNP
KSCA
KTIP
KWMN
KIPR
KCOR
KRVC
KFRD
KPAL
KWBG
KE
KTDB
KUNR
KSPR
KJUS
KGHG
KAWC
KCFE
KGCC
KOLY
KSUM
KACT
KISL
KTFN
KFLU
KSTH
KMPI
KHDP
KS
KHLS
KSEP
KMRS
KID
KN
KU
KAWK
KSAC
KCOM
KAID
KIRC
KWMNCS
KMCA
KNEI
KCRS
KPKO
KICC
KIRF
KPOA
KV
KDRG
KSEO
KVPR
KTER
KBCT
KFIN
KGIC
KCIP
KZ
KG
KWAC
KRAD
KPRP
KTEX
KNAR
KPLS
KPAK
KSTC
KFLO
KSCI
KIDE
KO
KOMS
KHSA
KSAF
KPWR
KVRP
KENV
KNSD
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCGC
KVIR
KFSC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KWMM
KX
KMFO
KR
KMOC
KRIM
KCRCM
KBTS
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KPAI
KICA
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KMIG
KRGY
KIFR
MARR
MOPS
MASS
MX
MNUC
MCAP
MO
MR
MEPP
MTCRE
MAPP
MEPN
MZ
MT
ML
MA
MY
MIL
MD
MASSMNUC
MU
MK
MTCR
MUCN
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MC
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MARAD
MG
MTRE
MASC
MW
MRCRE
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
NATO
NZ
NL
NO
NK
NU
NPT
NI
NG
NEW
NSF
NA
NPG
NSG
NE
NSSP
NS
NDP
NSC
NAFTA
NH
NV
NP
NPA
NSFO
NT
NW
NASA
NORAD
NGO
NR
NATIONAL
NIPP
NZUS
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
OEXC
OTRA
OPRC
OVIP
OAS
OECD
OIIP
OSCE
OREP
OPIC
OFDP
OMIG
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OIC
OIE
OPDC
ON
OCII
OPAD
OBSP
OFFICIALS
OPCW
OHUM
OES
OCS
OTR
OSAC
OFDA
PGOV
PREL
PM
PHUM
PTER
PINR
PINS
PREF
PARM
PL
PK
PU
PBTS
PBIO
PHSA
PE
PO
PROP
PA
PNAT
POL
PLN
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PAK
PGGV
PAO
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PAS
PGIV
PHUMPREL
PDOV
PHUMPGOV
PCI
PTBS
PEL
PG
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
POGOV
POV
PRAM
PP
PREO
PAHO
PBT
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PMIL
PALESTINIAN
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PINF
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PGOC
PY
PHUH
PF
PRL
PHUS
RU
RS
RO
RW
RP
RFE
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
RCMP
RM
RSO
ROBERT
RICE
RSP
RF
ROOD
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SL
SW
SMIG
SP
SY
SA
SHUM
SZ
SYRIA
SF
SR
SO
SPCE
SARS
SN
SC
SIPRS
SI
SYR
SEVN
SNARCS
SH
SAARC
STEINBERG
SG
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SANC
SWE
SHI
SEN
TW
TU
TBIO
TSPL
TPHY
TRGY
TC
TT
TSPA
TINT
TERRORISM
TX
TR
TS
TN
TD
TH
TIP
TNGD
TI
TZ
TF
THPY
TP
TBID
TL
TV
TK
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
UN
UK
UNSC
UNGA
US
UNESCO
UP
UNHRC
UNAUS
USTR
UNDP
UNEP
UNMIK
UY
UNCHR
UNO
UG
UZ
UNPUOS
USEU
UNDC
UNICEF
UV
UNHCR
UNCND
UNCHC
UNCSD
USUN
USOAS
UNFCYP
USNC
UNIDROIT
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 02VATICAN1171, THE VATICAN'S ""OTHER"" INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #02VATICAN1171.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
02VATICAN1171 | 2002-03-06 13:35 | 2011-04-27 11:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Vatican |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 001171
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY (SIGNATURE LINE CHANGE)
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (D.MENUTTI)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2012
TAGS: EG IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY VT VTEG VTEG VTEG
SUBJECT: THE VATICAN'S ""OTHER"" INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR JIM NICHOLSON FOR REASONS 1.5 (A) AND (D).
1.(C) SUMMARY: THIS IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE VATICAN'S INTEREST
IN THE MIDDLE EAST, OUTSIDE OF THE ISRAEL/PALESTINIAN DISPUTE
AND THE STATUS OF JERUSALEM. DCM RECENTLY MET WITH NEW
VATICAN MIDDLE EAST DIRECTOR, TOMASSO COPPOLA, MONSIGNOR
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 01171 01 OF 02 061557Z
JOHAN BONNY, A CHIEF NEGOTIATOR IN THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR
CHRISTIAN UNITY, AND MEMBERS OF THE ARAB DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY
ACCREDITED TO THE VATICAN. THE VATICAN'S FOREIGN POLICY IS
GENERALLY FOUNDED ON ""DEFENDING THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN
PERSON"", AND IS THUS LARGELY CONGRUENT WITH USG INTERESTS.
IN THE MIDDLE EAST, HOWEVER, IT HAS A NUMBER OF PARTICULAR
INTERESTS, SOME WHERE WE CAN EXPECT TO AGREE, OTHERS WHERE
OUR INTERESTS ARE STARKLY OPPOSITE. THE VATICAN'S INTERESTS
IN THIS REGION ARISE FROM AN INDIGENOUS CONSTITUENCY (E.G.
CHALDEANS IN IRAQ) AS WELL AS DIALOG WITH THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH
OF THE EAST AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES OF THE REGION
(EG. THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH). COUNTRIES OF INTEREST ARE
MOST NOTABLY LEBANON, IRAQ, SYRIA AND TO A LESSER DEGREE
JORDAN AND EGYPT. THE LACK OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR THE
FOREIGN CATHOLICS (MOSTLY FILIPINO GUEST WORKERS) IN SAUDI
ARABIA WILL REMAIN AN ISSUE OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE FOR THE
VATICAN. FROM A STRICTLY GEOPOLITICAL PERSPECTIVE THE
VATICAN WILL ALSO STRIVE TO HAVE GOOD RELATIONS WITH IRAN.
END SUMMARY
2.(C) CONCERN FOR CATHOLIC MINORITIES
AS WITH ANY NATION-STATE, THE VATICAN STRIVES TO PROTECT ITS
""CITIZENS"" OVERSEAS. FOR THE VATICAN, THIS
CITIZEN-CONSTITUENCY IS COMPOSED OF CATHOLICS. IN THE MIDDLE
EAST THE COUNTRY OF PRIME CONCERN IN THIS REGARD IS LEBANON.
ACCORDING TO VATICAN ISSUED FIGURES, THERE ARE 1.9 MILLION
CATHOLICS IN LEBANON, 311,000 CATHOLICS IN SYRIA, AND 277,000
CATHOLICS IN IRAQ. THE VATICAN DOES NOT CONSIDER LEBANON A
MUSLIM COUNTRY WITH A CATHOLIC MINORITY, BUT A COUNTRY IN
WHICH CATHOLICS ARE EQUAL PARTNERS. IT SEES LEBANON AS A
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 VATICA 01171 01 OF 02 061557Z
COUNTRY WHICH SHOULD SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE FOR
CHRISTIAN/ISLAMIC COEXISTENCE. FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN, AS
WELL AS MIDDLE EAST DIRECTOR COPPOLA HAVE BOTH SERVED IN
LEBANON, AND ARE PERSONALLY INTERESTED IN THE LEBANESE
SITUATION. ALTHOUGH, ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL VATICAN FIGURES,
THERE ARE MORE CATHOLICS IN SYRIA THAN IRAQ, THE VATICAN IS
MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CHALDEAN CATHOLICS IN
IRAQ THAN WITH THAT OF THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES IN SYRIA.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE VATICAN SEES THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ISLAMIC
FUNDAMENTALIST REGIME COMING TO POWER AS HIGHER IN IRAQ THAN
IN SYRIA. THERE IS ALSO A SMALL CATHOLIC MINORITY IN JORDAN
(72,000 ACCORDING TO VATICAN FIGURES) COMPOSED OF ETHNIC
PALESTINIANS.
3.(C) DIALOG WITH THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST AND THE
ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST WAS THE FIRST MAJOR CHRISTIAN
BODY TO FALL OUT ON COMMUNION WITH ROME. THIS OCCURRED IN
THE 5TH CENTURY OVER THEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES. ITS SEAT WAS
MOVED FROM PERSIA TO BAGHDAD IN 766 WHERE IT HAS REMAINED.
IN 1553 A GROUP FROM WITHIN THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH REENTERED
COMMUNION WITH ROME, WHICH WAS THE START OF THE CHALDEAN
CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE VATICAN IS CLOSER TO ""REUNIFICATION""
WITH THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST THAN WITH ANY OTHER BODY
OF EASTERN CHURCHES. IN 1994, POPE JOHN PAUL II AND THE
ASSYRIAN PATRIARCH SIGNED A DECLARATION WHICH BASICALLY ENDED
ALL THEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES. DIALOG CONTINUES FOR FULL
REUNIFICATION. THUS, IN ADDITION TO PROTECTING THE CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY OF IRAQ, THE VATICAN NEEDS GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 VATICA 01171 01 OF 02 061557Z
IRAQI GOVERNMENT FOR AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH NEGOTIATIONS
WITH THE ""OFFICIAL"" IRAQI CHRISTIAN CHURCH CAN CONTINUE.
THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX COMMUNITY IS COMPOSED OF SIX
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL CHURCHES WHICH ARE IN COMMUNION WITH
EACH OTHER, BUT NOT WITH THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST, THE
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, OR THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES (E.G. GREEK,
RUSSIAN, ETC). THIS BODY BROKE WITH THE MAIN BODY OF THE
CHURCH (AT THAT TIME LOCATED IN ROME AND CONSTANTINOPLE) IN
THE FIFTH CENTURY, APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS AFTER THE ASSYRIAN
CHURCH'S BREAK. THIS ORIENTAL ORTHODOX COMMUNITY IS COMPOSED
OF THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH, THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
(EGYPT), THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX
CHURCH, THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH (INDIA), AND THE
ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHURCH. THE VATICAN'S DIALOG WITH THIS
COMMUNITY IS NOT AS FAR ALONG AS WITH THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH,
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9479
PAGE 01 VATICA 01171 02 OF 02 061557Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 COR-01 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00
DS-00 FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00
NEA-00 NSAE-00 SSO-00 SS-00 T-00 EPAE-00 SNIS-00
NISC-00 DSCC-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 /001W
------------------705EC5 061557Z /38
O 061335Z MAR 02 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY RIYADH
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 VATICAN 001171
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY (SIGNATURE LINE CHANGE)
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (D.MENUTTI)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2012
TAGS: EG IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY VT VTEG VTEG VTEG
SUBJECT: THE VATICAN'S ""OTHER"" INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
BUT MUCH FURTHER ALONG THAN WITH THE ORTHODOX CHURCH. THAT
SAID, THE VATICAN HAS TO TREAD CAREFULLY IN THIS AREA. AFTER
SEVERAL JOINT DECLARATIONS WITH THE ARMENIAN CHURCH, COPTIC
POPE SHENOUDA III OF EGYPT DECLARED THAT DIALOG WITH THE
VATICAN MUST BE DONE ON A FULL COMMUNITY BASIS, AND NOT BY
INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL MEMBERS. THUS, THE VATICAN NOW HAS TO BE
MORE SENSITIVE TO THE DESIRES OF THE EGYPTIAN COPTIC
COMMUNITY AND THE SYRIAN ORTODOX CHURCH IF IT WANTS PROGRESS
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 01171 02 OF 02 061557Z
IN THE OVERALL DIALOG.
4.(C) WHAT ARE THE VATICAN'S INTERESTS AND WHAT SHOULD THE
U.S. EXPECT
--
LEBANON: THE VATICAN WANTS TO MAINTAIN A STRONG CHRISTIAN
PRESENCE IN A UNIFIED, INDEPENDENT LEBANON. IT WILL
CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR THE REMOVAL OF ALL FOREIGN TROOPS (I.E.
SYRIAN) AND REINTEGRATION OF THE SOUTH INTO THE COUNTRY. WE
SHOULD EXPECT THE VATICAN TO CONTINUE TO ASK THE UNITED
STATES TO HAVE STRONGER, BETTER CONTACTS WITH MARONITE
PATRIARCH SAFIR. WE SHOULD ALSO EXPECT THE VATICAN TO
EXPRESS CONCERN OVER WHAT THEY SEE AS RETALIATION AGAINST THE
CHRISTIANS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF
COLLABORATING WITH THE ISRAELIS.
IRAQ: IRAQ WILL REMAIN A BONE OF CONTENTION BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND VATICAN. WE SHOULD EXPECT THE VATICAN TO
STRONGLY CONDEMN THE CONTINUED EMBARGO AS ""HARMFUL"" TO THE
IRAQI POPULATION. IN ITS EYES, THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO
SADDAM HUSSEIN EXCEPT AN ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST REGIME. THUS
FOR REASONS OF PROTECTING THE CATHOLICS IN IRAQ, AS WELL AS
CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE
ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST, THE VATICAN WILL BE AMONG THE
LEAST VOCAL INTERNATIONAL CRITICS OF THE CURRENT REGIME. WE
SHOULD EXPECT VOCAL, PUBLIC CRITICISM OF ANY MILITARY ACTION
AGAINST IRAQ.
SYRIA: BECAUSE DAMASCUS IS THE SEAT OF THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX
CHURCH, AND ON ACCOUNT OF THE PRESENCE OF A LARGE CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY, THE VATICAN IS CONTINUE TO SEEK CORRECT, GOOD
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 VATICA 01171 02 OF 02 061557Z
RELATIONS WITH SYRIA. AS IT DOES NOT FEAR A FUNDAMENTALIST
TAKE OVER, IT CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE LESS SENSITIVE TO
CRITICISM OF SYRIAN POLICY THAN TO IRAQI POLICY. THAT SAID,
VATICAN FRUSTRATION OVER THE OVERT ANTI-SEMITIC REMARKS OF
PRESIDENT ASSAD DURING THE POPE'S APRIL, 2001 VISIT TO SYRIA
HAVE SUBSIDED. IN FACT, THE POPE RECENTLY SUSPENDED HIS
LENTEN RETREAT (WHICH IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL) TO MEET ASSAD DURING
THE SYRIAN PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO ROME;
IRAN: THE NUMBER OF CATHOLICS IS MINUSCULE (12,000 BY
VATICAN ESTIMATES). HOWEVER, THE VATICAN SEES IRAN AS A
PARTNER IN CATHOLIC/ISLAMIC DIALOG. IT WILL THEREFORE STRIVE
TO HAVE PROPER RELATIONS WITH THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN;
SAUDI ARABIA: THERE ARE OVER 1 MILLION FOREIGN CATHOLICS IN
SAUDI ARABIA. THE VATICAN WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THEIR RIGHT
TO PRACTICE CATHOLICISM AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE. WE SHOULD
EXPECT THIS TO BE RAISED AT ANY MEETING BETWEEN A HIGH-LEVEL
U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL AND FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN OR PRIME
MINISTER SODANO. NICHOLSON
CONFIDENTIAL
>
@@@OASYS@@@
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ8924
PAGE 01 VATICA 01171 01 OF 02 061421Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DS-00
FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00
NSAE-00 SSO-00 SS-00 EPAE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-00 DSCC-00
NFAT-00 SAS-00 /000W
------------------704D53 061421Z /38
O 061335Z MAR 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY RIYADH
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 001171
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (D.MENUTTI)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2012
TAGS: EG IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY VT VTEG VTEG VTEG
SUBJECT: THE VATICAN'S ""OTHER"" INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR JIM NICHOLSON FOR REASONS 1.5 (A) AND (D).
1.(C) SUMMARY: THIS IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE VATICAN'S INTEREST
IN THE MIDDLE EAST, OUTSIDE OF THE ISRAEL/PALESTINIAN DISPUTE
AND THE STATUS OF JERUSALEM. DCM RECENTLY MET WITH NEW
VATICAN MIDDLE EAST DIRECTOR, TOMASSO COPPOLA, MONSIGNOR
JOHAN BONNY, A CHIEF NEGOTIATOR IN THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR
CHRISTIAN UNITY, AND MEMBERS OF THE ARAB DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 01171 01 OF 02 061421Z
ACCREDITED TO THE VATICAN. THE VATICAN'S FOREIGN POLICY IS
GENERALLY FOUNDED ON ""DEFENDING THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN
PERSON"", AND IS THUS LARGELY CONGRUENT WITH USG INTERESTS.
IN THE MIDDLE EAST, HOWEVER, IT HAS A NUMBER OF PARTICULAR
INTERESTS, SOME WHERE WE CAN EXPECT TO AGREE, OTHERS WHERE
OUR INTERESTS ARE STARKLY OPPOSITE. THE VATICAN'S INTERESTS
IN THIS REGION ARISE FROM AN INDIGENOUS CONSTITUENCY (E.G.
CHALDEANS IN IRAQ) AS WELL AS DIALOG WITH THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH
OF THE EAST AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES OF THE REGION
(EG. THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH). COUNTRIES OF INTEREST ARE
MOST NOTABLY LEBANON, IRAQ, SYRIA AND TO A LESSER DEGREE
JORDAN AND EGYPT. THE LACK OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR THE
FOREIGN CATHOLICS (MOSTLY FILIPINO GUEST WORKERS) IN SAUDI
ARABIA WILL REMAIN AN ISSUE OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE FOR THE
VATICAN. FROM A STRICTLY GEOPOLITICAL PERSPECTIVE THE
VATICAN WILL ALSO STRIVE TO HAVE GOOD RELATIONS WITH IRAN.
END SUMMARY
2.(C) CONCERN FOR CATHOLIC MINORITIES
AS WITH ANY NATION-STATE, THE VATICAN STRIVES TO PROTECT ITS
""CITIZENS"" OVERSEAS. FOR THE VATICAN, THIS
CITIZEN-CONSTITUENCY IS COMPOSED OF CATHOLICS. IN THE MIDDLE
EAST THE COUNTRY OF PRIME CONCERN IN THIS REGARD IS LEBANON.
ACCORDING TO VATICAN ISSUED FIGURES, THERE ARE 1.9 MILLION
CATHOLICS IN LEBANON, 311,000 CATHOLICS IN SYRIA, AND 277,000
CATHOLICS IN IRAQ. THE VATICAN DOES NOT CONSIDER LEBANON A
MUSLIM COUNTRY WITH A CATHOLIC MINORITY, BUT A COUNTRY IN
WHICH CATHOLICS ARE EQUAL PARTNERS. IT SEES LEBANON AS A
COUNTRY WHICH SHOULD SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE FOR
CHRISTIAN/ISLAMIC COEXISTENCE. FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN, AS
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 VATICA 01171 01 OF 02 061421Z
WELL AS MIDDLE EAST DIRECTOR COPPOLA HAVE BOTH SERVED IN
LEBANON, AND ARE PERSONALLY INTERESTED IN THE LEBANESE
SITUATION. ALTHOUGH, ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL VATICAN FIGURES,
THERE ARE MORE CATHOLICS IN SYRIA THAN IRAQ, THE VATICAN IS
MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CHALDEAN CATHOLICS IN
IRAQ THAN WITH THAT OF THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES IN SYRIA.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE VATICAN SEES THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ISLAMIC
FUNDAMENTALIST REGIME COMING TO POWER AS HIGHER IN IRAQ THAN
IN SYRIA. THERE IS ALSO A SMALL CATHOLIC MINORITY IN JORDAN
(72,000 ACCORDING TO VATICAN FIGURES) COMPOSED OF ETHNIC
PALESTINIANS.
3.(C) DIALOG WITH THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST AND THE
ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST WAS THE FIRST MAJOR CHRISTIAN
BODY TO FALL OUT ON COMMUNION WITH ROME. THIS OCCURRED IN
THE 5TH CENTURY OVER THEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES. ITS SEAT WAS
MOVED FROM PERSIA TO BAGHDAD IN 766 WHERE IT HAS REMAINED.
IN 1553 A GROUP FROM WITHIN THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH REENTERED
COMMUNION WITH ROME, WHICH WAS THE START OF THE CHALDEAN
CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE VATICAN IS CLOSER TO ""REUNIFICATION""
WITH THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST THAN WITH ANY OTHER BODY
OF EASTERN CHURCHES. IN 1994, POPE JOHN PAUL II AND THE
ASSYRIAN PATRIARCH SIGNED A DECLARATION WHICH BASICALLY ENDED
ALL THEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES. DIALOG CONTINUES FOR FULL
REUNIFICATION. THUS, IN ADDITION TO PROTECTING THE CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY OF IRAQ, THE VATICAN NEEDS GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE
IRAQI GOVERNMENT FOR AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH NEGOTIATIONS
WITH THE ""OFFICIAL"" IRAQI CHRISTIAN CHURCH CAN CONTINUE.
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 VATICA 01171 01 OF 02 061421Z
THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX COMMUNITY IS COMPOSED OF SIX
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL CHURCHES WHICH ARE IN COMMUNION WITH
EACH OTHER, BUT NOT WITH THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST, THE
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, OR THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES (E.G. GREEK,
RUSSIAN, ETC). THIS BODY BROKE WITH THE MAIN BODY OF THE
CHURCH (AT THAT TIME LOCATED IN ROME AND CONSTANTINOPLE) IN
THE FIFTH CENTURY, APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS AFTER THE ASSYRIAN
CHURCH'S BREAK. THIS ORIENTAL ORTHODOX COMMUNITY IS COMPOSED
OF THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH, THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
(EGYPT), THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX
CHURCH, THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH (INDIA), AND THE
ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHURCH. THE VATICAN'S DIALOG WITH THIS
COMMUNITY IS NOT AS FAR ALONG AS WITH THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH,
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ8925
PAGE 01 VATICA 01171 02 OF 02 061421Z
ACTION EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DS-00
FBIE-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00
NSAE-00 SSO-00 SS-00 EPAE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-00 DSCC-00
NFAT-00 SAS-00 /000W
------------------704D59 061421Z /38
O 061335Z MAR 02
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY RIYADH
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 VATICAN 001171
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (D.MENUTTI)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2012
TAGS: EG IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY IS IT JO LE PREL SA SY VT VTEG VTEG VTEG
SUBJECT: THE VATICAN'S ""OTHER"" INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
BUT MUCH FURTHER ALONG THAN WITH THE ORTHODOX CHURCH. THAT
SAID, THE VATICAN HAS TO TREAD CAREFULLY IN THIS AREA. AFTER
SEVERAL JOINT DECLARATIONS WITH THE ARMENIAN CHURCH, COPTIC
POPE SHENOUDA III OF EGYPT DECLARED THAT DIALOG WITH THE
VATICAN MUST BE DONE ON A FULL COMMUNITY BASIS, AND NOT BY
INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL MEMBERS. THUS, THE VATICAN NOW HAS TO BE
MORE SENSITIVE TO THE DESIRES OF THE EGYPTIAN COPTIC
COMMUNITY AND THE SYRIAN ORTODOX CHURCH IF IT WANTS PROGRESS
IN THE OVERALL DIALOG.
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 01171 02 OF 02 061421Z
4.(C) WHAT ARE THE VATICAN'S INTERESTS AND WHAT SHOULD THE
U.S. EXPECT
-- LEBANON: THE VATICAN WANTS TO MAINTAIN A STRONG CHRISTIAN
PRESENCE IN A UNIFIED, INDEPENDENT LEBANON. IT WILL
CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR THE REMOVAL OF ALL FOREIGN TROOPS (I.E.
SYRIAN) AND REINTEGRATION OF THE SOUTH INTO THE COUNTRY. WE
SHOULD EXPECT THE VATICAN TO CONTINUE TO ASK THE UNITED
STATES TO HAVE STRONGER, BETTER CONTACTS WITH MARONITE
PATRIARCH SAFIR. WE SHOULD ALSO EXPECT THE VATICAN TO
EXPRESS CONCERN OVER WHAT THEY SEE AS RETALIATION AGAINST THE
CHRISTIANS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF
COLLABORATING WITH THE ISRAELIS.
IRAQ: IRAQ WILL REMAIN A BONE OF CONTENTION BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND VATICAN. WE SHOULD EXPECT THE VATICAN TO
STRONGLY CONDEMN THE CONTINUED EMBARGO AS ""HARMFUL"" TO THE
IRAQI POPULATION. IN ITS EYES, THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO
SADDAM HUSSEIN EXCEPT AN ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST REGIME. THUS
FOR REASONS OF PROTECTING THE CATHOLICS IN IRAQ, AS WELL AS
CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE
ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST, THE VATICAN WILL BE AMONG THE
LEAST VOCAL INTERNATIONAL CRITICS OF THE CURRENT REGIME. WE
SHOULD EXPECT VOCAL, PUBLIC CRITICISM OF ANY MILITARY ACTION
AGAINST IRAQ.
SYRIA: BECAUSE DAMASCUS IS THE SEAT OF THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX
CHURCH, AND ON ACCOUNT OF THE PRESENCE OF A LARGE CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY, THE VATICAN IS CONTINUE TO SEEK CORRECT, GOOD
RELATIONS WITH SYRIA. AS IT DOES NOT FEAR A FUNDAMENTALIST
TAKE OVER, IT CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE LESS SENSITIVE TO
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 VATICA 01171 02 OF 02 061421Z
CRITICISM OF SYRIAN POLICY THAN TO IRAQI POLICY. THAT SAID,
VATICAN FRUSTRATION OVER THE OVERT ANTI-SEMITIC REMARKS OF
PRESIDENT ASSAD DURING THE POPE'S APRIL, 2001 VISIT TO SYRIA
HAVE SUBSIDED. IN FACT, THE POPE RECENTLY SUSPENDED HIS
LENTEN RETREAT (WHICH IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL) TO MEET ASSAD DURING
THE SYRIAN PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO ROME;
IRAN: THE NUMBER OF CATHOLICS IS MINUSCULE (12,000 BY
VATICAN ESTIMATES). HOWEVER, THE VATICAN SEES IRAN AS A
PARTNER IN CATHOLIC/ISLAMIC DIALOG. IT WILL THEREFORE STRIVE
TO HAVE PROPER RELATIONS WITH THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN;
SAUDI ARABIA: THERE ARE OVER 1 MILLION FOREIGN CATHOLICS IN
SAUDI ARABIA. THE VATICAN WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THEIR RIGHT
TO PRACTICE CATHOLICISM AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE. WE SHOULD
EXPECT THIS TO BE RAISED AT ANY MEETING BETWEEN A HIGH-LEVEL
U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL AND FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN OR PRIME
MINISTER SODANO. NICHOLSON
POPE
CONFIDENTIAL
>
2002VATICA01171 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
"