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| Identifier: | 03ISTANBUL1617 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 03ISTANBUL1617 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Consulate Istanbul |
| Created: | 2003-11-03 05:58:00 |
| Classification: | CONFIDENTIAL |
| Tags: | PHUM TU CU Istanbul |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
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 ISTANBUL 001617
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2013
TAGS: PHUM, TU, CU, Istanbul
SUBJECT: ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH CONTEMPLATES CUBA VISIT
REF: A. DEUTSCH/SILVERMAN/SMITH E-MAILS
B. 10/30-31/2003
Classified By: A/CG Stuart Smith for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (C) Summary: Ecumenical Patriarchate leadership confirms
that Patriarch Bartholomew is considering a trip to Cuba on
January 21, 2004 to dedicate a new Orthodox Church. Now
aware of USG concerns about the trip, the Patriarch may
reconsider. Action request in para 5. End Summary.
2. (C) Poloff spoke with Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia
on October 31, and raised the issue of a possible trip to
Havana by Patriarch Bartholomew. Meliton confirmed that the
Patriarch has tentatively accepted such an invitation. He
asked for US views on the issue, explaining that the
Patriarch would not want the trip to cause problems with the
USG.
3. (C) Poloff noted that we understand the Patriarch's good
intentions in supporting the Orthodox Church in Cuba, and his
desire to promote religious liberty. However, a visit by the
Patriarch might be used by Castro to "paper over" recent
human rights abuses by the regime, or to undermine dissent by
local Christians. Thus, Poloff noted, a trip to Cuba by the
Patriarch could cause a wrinkle in the long-standing
USG-Patriarchate relationship.
4. (C) Poloff said that the USG was eager to discuss this
issue with the Patriarchate, and would welcome further, more
authoritative discussion of the issue either through the
Consulate General in Istanbul or the Embassy in Ankara.
Meliton took careful note of all this and said that he would
be writing a memo to the Patriarch immediately, and would
have a response from the Patriarch no later than November 4.
He said, however, the Patriarch would not want to do anything
to harm our relationship. Though Bartholomew had agreed
verbally to the trip, no written confirmation has yet been
sent.
5. (C) Post will follow up with the Patriarchate November 4,
and requests further talking points for subsequent
discussions.
SMITH
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