US embassy cable - 02VATICAN1639

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 001639 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE (DEBORAH MENNUTI) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2012 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, VT 
SUBJECT: MEPP: POPE GRAVELY CONCERNED, HAS MESSAGE FOR 
PRESIDENT 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR JIM NICHOLSON FOR REASONS 1.5 (A) AND (D). 
 
1. (C) VATICAN FOREIGN MINISTER TAURAN UNEXPECTEDLY CALLED 
 
AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON THIS MORNING.  H HAD JUST CONCLUDED A 
MEETING WITH POPE JOHN PAU II WHO IS SHOCKED OVER REPORTED 
DEATH OF A CATHLIC PRIEST IN BETHLEHEM.  THE PRIEST WAS 
REPORTEDY THE CHAPLAIN OF THE SISTERS OF SAINT BRIDGET AND 
WAS KILLED BY ISRAELI FIRE.  TAURAN SAID THAT THE POPE HAS 
PERSONALLY REQUESTED THAT THE AMBASSADOR CONTACT PRESIDENT 
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PAGE 02        VATICA  01639  021535Z 
BUSH AND ASK HIM TO RESTRAIN THE ISRAELIS.  HE ALSO SAID THAT 
THE VATICAN UNDERSTANDS THE ISRAELIS NEED FOR SELF-DEFENSE, 
BUT AT THIS POINT THE VATICAN DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT ARAFAT 
CONTROLS THE MILITANTS.  TAURAN ALSO RAISED TE NEED FOR THE 
IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT OF INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPERS. 
 
2. (C) TAURAN CONVOKED AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON TO THE FOREIGN 
MINISTRY TOMORROW, APRIL 3 AT 12 NOON TO FURTHER DISCUSS THE 
DETERIORATING SITUATION.  IN ADDITION, TAURAN SAID THEY HAD 
INFORMATION OF A SERIOUS NATURE ON WHAT SOME ARAB NATIONS ARE 
PLANNING TO DO, AND WOULD SHARE IT TOMORROW. 
 
3. (C) ACTON REQUESTED: POST REQUESTS TALKING POINTS ON 
CURRENT U.S. POSITION AND PLANS BY OOB VATICAN TIME APRIL 3. 
  NICHOLSON 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
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 2002VATICA01639 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL