US embassy cable - 04VATICAN4882

UNCLAS  VATICAN 004882 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (Levin); AF/RSA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, ECON, EAID, PHUM, ECON, EAID, VT, VTPREL, terrorism 
SUBJECT:  "OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD:"  POPE URGES GLOBAL 
SOLIDARITY TO PROMOTE PEACE 
 
REF: Vatican 4778 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1.In his 2005 World day of Peace Message, Pope John Paul 
II challenged the world to focus on the "common good" of 
all humanity, creating a more equitable world that would be 
more conducive to peace.  He asked nations and peoples to 
withstand the temptation of responding to evil with more 
evil and to avoid looking at conflicts and inequities 
through the prism of narrow national interests.  As he 
condemned social and political evils and violence 
afflicting the world, the Pope called for greater resource 
sharing and solidarity with poor countries, especially 
African states.  He noted the importance of sharing science 
and technology, the adoption of equitable trade practices, 
and poverty reduction.  A globalized world, said the 
Pontiff, requires all world citizens to take responsibility 
for those who are suffering.  In this way, he argued, 
nations can make an "effective contribution" to "building a 
world based on the values...of peace."  End Summary. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
COMBAT EVIL WITH GOOD - NOT MORE EVIL 
-------------------------------------- 
 
 
2.In his message for the 2005 World Day of Peace 
(complete text faxed to EUR/WE), Pope John Paul II urged 
attention to the "good" of moral values as a way to combat 
evil.  [Note: The Pope will formally deliver the message 
January 1, 2005, but the Vatican released the text in a 
mid-December press conference.  End Note.]  The Pope asked 
nations and peoples to withstand the temptation of 
responding to evil with more evil, and instead to focus on 
n 
the "common good" for all humanity.  Evil, he explained, 
was "not some impersonal, deterministic force," but a 
result of wrong choices made by men and women who freely 
choose to do evil.  By focusing on "world citizenship" 
rather than narrow national, ethnic or other parochial 
interests, the Pope believes, a more equitable world can be 
built that would be more conducive to peace. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
VIOLENCE AND TERROR CONDEMNED; PROFOUND REGRET OVER IRAQ 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
3.  In identifying the gravest instances of evil and 
violence in the world, the Pontiff identified regional 
hotspots with particularly troubling outbreaks of violence, 
pointing to Africa (described as the Pope's "beloved 
continent"), Palestine, and Iraq.  Regarding the latter, 
the Pope asked how one could not think "with profound 
regret of the drama unfolding in Iraq, which has given rise 
to tragic situations of uncertainty and insecurity for 
all?"  John Paul condemned the "troubling phenomenon of 
terrorist violence" that  he said appeared to be "driving 
the whole world toward a future of fear and anguish."  He 
soundly condemned all violence as an unacceptable evil that 
never solves problems.  "Violence is a lie . . . that 
destroys what it claims to defend:  the dignity, the life, 
the freedom of human beings," the Pope declared. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
SHARING THE EARTH'S GOODS  WITHOUT TRADE BARRIERS 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
3.Central to promoting conditions conducive to peace, 
the message argues, is greater resource sharing.  According 
to the Pope, all people deserve a share in the goods of the 
earth in order to be able feed and house their families 
with hope for the future.  In practice, the Pope called on 
the international community to assume greater 
responsibility for sharing resources equitably.  In this 
context he mentioned the obligation of wealthier nations to 
o 
aid in the development of less-developed nations. 
According to the Pope, a true sharing in development would 
become possible "once the barriers and monopolies that 
marginalize many peoples are removed."  The Pontiff said 
that in today's globalized world, the public had to be all 
the more vigilant in the fight against poverty, the 
promotion of peace and security, and concern for climate 
change and disease control. 
 
------------------------------------ 
DEBT FORGIVENESS WITH ACCOUNTABILITY 
------------------------------------ 
 
 
4.The Pope gave special mention to debt forgiveness for 
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs), noting that he had 
placed the issue on the international agenda some fifteen 
years ago.  While acknowledging the effectiveness of recent 
debt-forgiveness initiatives, John Paul II said a lack of 
foreign investment, the price of raw materials, and poorly- 
functioning international organizations had smothered 
economic growth in poor countries.  He concluded that poor 
countries remained trapped in a vicious circle. 
 
--------------------------- 
KEEPING THE FOCUS ON AFRICA 
--------------------------- 
 
5.Africa was the only region to garner an in-depth 
discussion, with the Pope urging a radical new direction 
for the continent to overcome the armed conflicts, pandemic 
diseases, extreme poverty, and political instability that 
have led to widespread insecurity there.  Citing the 
responsibilities of "world citizenship," the Pope called 
for a new bilateral and multilateral solidarity for Africa, 
and stressed that the wellbeing of Africans was part of the 
common good of all. "Development either becomes shared in 
common by every part of the world, or it undergoes a 
process of regression even in areas marked by constant 
progress," he concluded.   The Pope urged Africans to take 
control of their own cultural, civil, social and economic 
development.   Africa, he said, had to stop being a mere 
recipient of aid, and had to ensure greater transparency 
and accountability in its development partnerships with 
wealthier countries.  In Africa, the Pope clearly sees a 
decisive test for world peace in how all concerned 
countries tackle the continent's tremendous challenges. 
 
------------------------------------ 
COMMENT: A BROAD FRAMEWORK FOR PEACE 
------------------------------------ 
 
6.As reported reftel, the Vatican has not altered its 
doctrine on the legitimate use of force as a last-resort 
response to war and violence.  The 2005 World Day of Peace 
Message, however, is clearly seeking to move the 
international focus beyond the immediate need to prevent 
aggression or terrorist violence to the broader sources of 
conflict.  In the Pope's vision, a comprehensive framework 
of solidarity between peoples that addresses global 
deprivation and inequality could diminish the likelihood of 
human conflict before it begins, thus promoting lasting 
peace.  The Holy See's focus on moral values is not in this 
case on the sexual moral values so often accented in the 
media, but on the broader moral values of social justice 
drawn from the Church's extensive teaching on the subject. 
As the message concludes, "By the mere fact of being 
conceived, "a child is entitled to rights" that can only be 
guaranteed by "the condemnation racism, . . . aid to 
displaced persons and refugees, and the mobilization of 
international solidarity towards all the needy" in a 
consistent application of the principle of world 
citizenship.  The focus on Africa reflects the Pope's 
belief that no other region presents a greater moral 
challenge to the international community today. 
 
Nicholson 
 
 
NNNN 

 2004VATICA04882 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED 

 
UNCLAS  VATICAN 004882 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (Levin); AF/RSA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, ECON, EAID, VT 
SUBJECT:  "OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD:"  POPE URGES GLOBAL 
SOLIDARITY TO PROMOTE PEACE 
 
REF: Vatican 4778 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1.In his 2005 World day of Peace Message, Pope John Paul 
II challenged the world to focus on the "common good" of 
all humanity, creating a more equitable world that would be 
more conducive to peace.  He asked nations and peoples to 
withstand the temptation of responding to evil with more 
evil and to avoid looking at conflicts and inequities 
through the prism of narrow national interests.  As he 
condemned social and political evils and violence 
afflicting the world, the Pope called for greater resource 
sharing and solidarity with poor countries, especially 
African states.  He noted the importance of sharing science 
and technology, the adoption of equitable trade practices, 
and poverty reduction.  A globalized world, said the 
Pontiff, requires all world citizens to take responsibility 
for those who are suffering.  In this way, he argued, 
nations can make an "effective contribution" to "building a 
world based on the values...of peace."  End Summary. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
COMBAT EVIL WITH GOOD - NOT MORE EVIL 
-------------------------------------- 
 
 
2.In his message for the 2005 World Day of Peace 
(complete text faxed to EUR/WE), Pope John Paul II urged 
attention to the "good" of moral values as a way to combat 
evil.  [Note: The Pope will formally deliver the message 
January 1, 2005, but the Vatican released the text in a 
mid-December press conference.  End Note.]  The Pope asked 
nations and peoples to withstand the temptation of 
responding to evil with more evil, and instead to focus on 
n 
the "common good" for all humanity.  Evil, he explained, 
was "not some impersonal, deterministic force," but a 
result of wrong choices made by men and women who freely 
choose to do evil.  By focusing on "world citizenship" 
rather than narrow national, ethnic or other parochial 
interests, the Pope believes, a more equitable world can be 
built that would be more conducive to peace. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
VIOLENCE AND TERROR CONDEMNED; PROFOUND REGRET OVER IRAQ 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
3.  In identifying the gravest instances of evil and 
violence in the world, the Pontiff identified regional 
hotspots with particularly troubling outbreaks of violence, 
pointing to Africa (described as the Pope's "beloved 
continent"), Palestine, and Iraq.  Regarding the latter, 
the Pope asked how one could not think "with profound 
regret of the drama unfolding in Iraq, which has given rise 
to tragic situations of uncertainty and insecurity for 
all?"  John Paul condemned the "troubling phenomenon of 
terrorist violence" that  he said appeared to be "driving 
the whole world toward a future of fear and anguish."  He 
soundly condemned all violence as an unacceptable evil that 
never solves problems.  "Violence is a lie . . . that 
destroys what it claims to defend:  the dignity, the life, 
the freedom of human beings," the Pope declared. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
SHARING THE EARTH'S GOODS  WITHOUT TRADE BARRIERS 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
3.Central to promoting conditions conducive to peace, 
the message argues, is greater resource sharing.  According 
to the Pope, all people deserve a share in the goods of the 
earth in order to be able feed and house their families 
with hope for the future.  In practice, the Pope called on 
the international community to assume greater 
responsibility for sharing resources equitably.  In this 
context he mentioned the obligation of wealthier nations to 
o 
aid in the development of less-developed nations. 
According to the Pope, a true sharing in development would 
become possible "once the barriers and monopolies that 
marginalize many peoples are removed."  The Pontiff said 
that in today's globalized world, the public had to be all 
the more vigilant in the fight against poverty, the 
promotion of peace and security, and concern for climate 
change and disease control. 
 
------------------------------------ 
DEBT FORGIVENESS WITH ACCOUNTABILITY 
------------------------------------ 
 
 
4.The Pope gave special mention to debt forgiveness for 
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs), noting that he had 
placed the issue on the international agenda some fifteen 
years ago.  While acknowledging the effectiveness of recent 
debt-forgiveness initiatives, John Paul II said a lack of 
foreign investment, the price of raw materials, and poorly- 
functioning international organizations had smothered 
economic growth in poor countries.  He concluded that poor 
countries remained trapped in a vicious circle. 
 
--------------------------- 
KEEPING THE FOCUS ON AFRICA 
--------------------------- 
 
5.Africa was the only region to garner an in-depth 
discussion, with the Pope urging a radical new direction 
for the continent to overcome the armed conflicts, pandemic 
diseases, extreme poverty, and political instability that 
have led to widespread insecurity there.  Citing the 
responsibilities of "world citizenship," the Pope called 
for a new bilateral and multilateral solidarity for Africa, 
and stressed that the wellbeing of Africans was part of the 
common good of all. "Development either becomes shared in 
common by every part of the world, or it undergoes a 
process of regression even in areas marked by constant 
progress," he concluded.   The Pope urged Africans to take 
control of their own cultural, civil, social and economic 
development.   Africa, he said, had to stop being a mere 
recipient of aid, and had to ensure greater transparency 
and accountability in its development partnerships with 
wealthier countries.  In Africa, the Pope clearly sees a 
decisive test for world peace in how all concerned 
countries tackle the continent's tremendous challenges. 
 
------------------------------------ 
COMMENT: A BROAD FRAMEWORK FOR PEACE 
------------------------------------ 
 
6.As reported reftel, the Vatican has not altered its 
doctrine on the legitimate use of force as a last-resort 
response to war and violence.  The 2005 World Day of Peace 
Message, however, is clearly seeking to move the 
international focus beyond the immediate need to prevent 
aggression or terrorist violence to the broader sources of 
conflict.  In the Pope's vision, a comprehensive framework 
of solidarity between peoples that addresses global 
deprivation and inequality could diminish the likelihood of 
human conflict before it begins, thus promoting lasting 
peace.  The Holy See's focus on moral values is not in this 
case on the sexual moral values so often accented in the 
media, but on the broader moral values of social justice 
drawn from the Church's extensive teaching on the subject. 
As the message concludes, "By the mere fact of being 
conceived, "a child is entitled to rights" that can only be 
guaranteed by "the condemnation racism, . . . aid to 
displaced persons and refugees, and the mobilization of 
international solidarity towards all the needy" in a 
consistent application of the principle of world 
citizenship.  The focus on Africa reflects the Pope's 
belief that no other region presents a greater moral 
challenge to the international community today. 
 
Nicholson 
 
 
NNNN 

 2004VATICA04882 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED