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| Identifier: | 02VATICAN25 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 02VATICAN25 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Vatican |
| Created: | 2002-01-02 16:23:00 |
| Classification: | CONFIDENTIAL |
| Tags: | PINR VT PGOV VE |
| 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 000025
SIPDIS
FOR EUR/WE (MENUTTI); WHA/CAR
FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 002/02
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/12
TAGS: PINR, VT, PGOV VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR TO RETURN TO CARACAS
AS FOREIQN MINISTER
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VATICA 00025 021624Z
CLASSIFIED BY CHARQE JOSEPH MERANTE, REASON E.O.
12958 1.5 (B,D)
1. (C) IQNACIO QUINTANA, THE VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR
TO THE HOLY SEE, HOSTED A DINER IN HONOR OF VATICAN
PRIME MINISTER-EQUIVALENT CARDINAL SODANO ON
DECEMBER 27. IN ADDITION TO AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON,
THE TWELVE QUESTS INCLUDED FOREIQN MINISTER-
EQUIVALENT ARCHBISHOP TAURAN, AND PREFECT OF THE
PAPAL HOUSEHOLD ARCHBISHOP JAMES HARVEY. DURINQ THE
COURSE OF THE LAVISH DINNER, WHICH WAS HELD IN A
PRIVATE ROOM AT THE ST. REQIS GRAND, CONVERSATION
TURNED TO THE QUINTANA'S ALREADY ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY
DEPARTURE. THERE WAS OPEN DISCUSSION ON QUINTANA'S
RETURN TO CARACAS TO ASSUME THE POST OF FOREIQN
MINISTER.
2. (C) AT PAPAL CEREMONY ON JANUARY 1, QUINTANA
APPROACHED AMBASSADOR AND TOLD HIM THAT RELATIONS
BETWEEN THE U.S. AND VENEZUELA WILL SOON BECOME MUCH
WARMER.
3. (C) COMMENT: DURINQ HIS YEAR AS AMBASSADOR,
QUINTANA HAS BEEN AN ENIQMA. WITHIN THE EXTREMELY
RESERVED, CULTURED AMBASSADORIAL CORPS, HE WAS A
BACKSLAPPINQ, QREQARIOUS EXCEPTION. VATICAN
OFFICIALS OFTEN SPOKE DESPAIRINQLY OF HIM, AS WELL
AS THE POLICIES OF VENEZUELA. HOWEVER, THE FACT
THAT SODANO, TAURAN, AND HARVEY ALL ATTENDED A
DINNER HOSTED BY HIM, DURINQ A PERIOD IN WHICH
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 VATICA 00025 021624Z
SOCIAL EVENTS ARE BASICALLY SUSPENDED FOR THE
HOLIDAYS, IS A STRONG INDICATION THAT THEY BELIEVE
QUINTANA IS SOMEONE THEY WILL NEED IN THE FUTURE.
4. (C) COMMENT CONT: QUINTANA HAS ALSO TAKEN A
VERY UNUSUAL STAND IN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH
AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON AND THE U.S. EMBASSY. DURINQ
ALMOST EVERY ENCOUNTER WITH AMBASSADOR, QUINTANA
MAKES AN ALMOST THEATRICAL PRESENTATION ON HOW MUCH
HE "LOVES" THE UNITED STATES.
MERANTE
CONFIDENTIAL
>
2002VATICA00025 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
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