US embassy cable - 05VATICAN503

UNCLAS VATICAN 000503 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE; S/CRS; IO/UNP;IO/PSC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, KUNR, KPKO, VT, Vatican and UN 
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE SUPPORTS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO UN REFORM 
 
REF: A) STATE 126870; B) STATE 130530 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (SBU) Vatican MFA's Monsignor Francis Chullikatt told us 
July 22 he agreed that it made sense to take a comprehensive 
approach to UN reform rather than to reform the UNSC first and 
approach remaining reform issues in a "piecemeal" fashion.  He 
confirmed the Holy See's support for a restructuring of the UN 
Security Council (UNSC), but emphasized that the Vatican would 
stay out of specific discussions on exactly who should be on a 
reformed UNSC (e.g., the G-4 framework resolution).  He noted 
the Holy See's general support for a Peacebuilding Commission 
and commented that UN agencies had become so independent that 
better coordination among the various arms involved in 
peacebuilding was crucial to avoid wasted efforts and wasted 
money.  Chullikatt's take on these issues merely confirms the 
approach we understand Permanent Observer Migliore has taken in 
New York, but is helpful in demonstrating that the Holy See 
mission in New York and the Vatican Foreign Ministry seem to be 
on the same page.  End Summary. 
 
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Comprehensive Approach "Makes Sense" 
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2.  (SBU) Vatican MFA's Monsignor Francis Chullikatt told us 
July 22 he agreed that it made sense to take a comprehensive 
approach to UN reform rather than to reform the UNSC first and 
approach remaining reform issues in a "piecemeal" fashion. 
Chullikatt, who recently served at the Holy See's mission to the 
UN, said the latter approach would not work.  "If you take 
things piecemeal," he said, "you're going to lose momentum for 
reform in the many areas that need it."  He received ref (a) 
points with interest, and confirmed the Holy See's support for a 
restructuring of the UN Security Council (UNSC) while 
emphasizing that the Vatican would stay out of specific 
discussions on exactly who should be on a reformed UNSC (e.g., 
the G-4 framework resolution).  He also referred to Holy See UN 
Permanent Observer Archbishop Migliore's recent speech on UN 
reform, in which Migliore reviewed the essential criteria that 
should be taken into account for reshaping UN structures. 
 
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Better Coordination Needed for Peacebuilding 
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3.  (SBU) Poloff also discussed and passed Chullikatt ref (b) 
points on the creation of a UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). 
Chullikatt noted the Holy See's general support for such a 
commission as indicated in Permanent Observer Migliore's address 
to the General Assembly in May, but was unfamiliar with the 
specifics of the U.S. objectives for the PBC.  He commented that 
improved coordination within the UN system would indeed be an 
important step in the context of peacebuilding.  He said that UN 
agencies had become so independent that better coordination 
among the various arms involved in peacebuilding was crucial to 
avoid wasted efforts and wasted money. 
 
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Comment 
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4.  (SBU) Chullikatt's take on UN reform merely confirms the 
approach we understand Permanent Observer Migliore has taken in 
New York, but is helpful in demonstrating that the mission in 
New York and the Vatican Foreign Ministry seem to be on the same 
page.  Cardinal Renato Martino, Migliore's predecessor as UN 
Permanent Observer (1986-2002), echoed Chullikatt July 26 when 
he told the Charge that any reform of the UNSC should be part of 
a broader "package" of reforms.  Though Martino no longer 
specializes in UN issues, he is still very influential in the 
Vatican as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and 
Peace. 
 
5.  (SBU) Chullikatt is the Vatican's point man for human rights 
issues, UN/ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council), and UNICEF 
(United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund), among 
other multilateral topics, and backs up the Holy See's lead on 
UN reform, Monsignor Osvaldo Neves (currently on vacation). 
Chullikatt had high praise for USUN staff with whom he had 
worked on his recent assignment in New York. 
 
SANDROLINI 
 
 
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