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| Identifier: | 04VATICAN737 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 04VATICAN737 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Vatican |
| Created: | 2004-02-27 05:54:00 |
| Classification: | CONFIDENTIAL |
| Tags: | IZ PHUM PREL VT |
| 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 VATICAN 000737
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LEVIN; NEA/RA; NEA/NGA BILLINGSLEY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2013
TAGS: IZ, PHUM, PREL, VT
SUBJECT: IRAQ: VATICAN SEES NO NEED TO RUSH ELECTIONS
CLASSIFIED BY: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, D. BRENT HARDT. REASONS:
1.5 (B) AN D (D).
1. (C) HOLY SEE COUNTRY DIRECTOR FOR IRAQ FRANCO
COPPOLA TOLD US FEBRUARY 23 THAT THE VATICAN WAS FULLY
SUPPORTIVE OF THE RECENTLY-ANNOUNCED DECISION THAT IRAQI
ELECTIONS WOULD NOT BE HELD BY JUNE 30. HE SAID THE U.S. AND
THE COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY (CPA) SHOULD "TAKE ALL
THE TIME THEY NEED" TO PREPARE THE COUNTRY FOR DEMOCRATIC
RULE. THE HOLY SEE UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS IS NO SIMPLE
PROCESS -- SADDAM WAS NOT A MERE "PARENTHESIS OF
DICTATORSHIP" IN AN OTHERWISE RICH IRAQI HISTORY OF
DEMOCRACY. WITH NO SUCH TRADITION IN THE NATION, COPPOLA
SAID IT REMAINED A PRIORITY TO STABILIZE THE COUNTRY, ENGAGE
THE POPULATION, AND ACHIEVE A GENERAL CONSENSUS SUPPORTIVE OF
THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS BEFORE HOLDING ELECTIONS. IN A
PERFECT WORLD, HE ADDED, IRAQ WOULD BE READY FOR ELECTIONS
RIGHT AWAY -- BUT THAT IS NOT REALISTIC. HE BELIEVED THE
RISK OF GOING TOO QUICKLY WAS FAR GREATER THAN THAT OF GOING
TOO SLOWLY.
2. (C) THOUGH COPPOLA REMAINED SUPPORTIVE OF U.S.
POLICY IN POST-WAR IRAQ, HE EXPRESSED SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE
SPECIFICS OF THE PLANNED TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY TO THE IRAQI
PEOPLE ON JUNE 30. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, HE WONDERED, IF AFTER
JUNE 30 THE IRAQI GOVERNING COUNCIL PASSED LEGISLATION
INIMICAL TO RELIGIOUS LIBERTY OR OTHER KEY VATICAN AND USG
CONCERNS?
3. (U) COPPOLA WAS APPRECIATIVE OF THE USAID REPORT ON
EVIDENCE OF MASS GRAVES IN IRAQ THAT WE PASSED TO HIM, AND
EXPRESSED SIMILAR APPRECIATION FOR RECENT BACKGROUND ON IRAQI
RECONSTRUCTION AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF THAT WE SHARED.
4. (U) MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.
HARDT
NNNN
2004VATICA00737 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
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