US embassy cable - 05VATICAN541

C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000541 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE: LARREA; DRL/IRF: SCHMOLESKY, KELLY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  11/14/2015 
TAGS: KIRF, PHUM, PREL, VT, CH 
SUBJECT: VATICAN: MEDIA REACT TO PRESIDENT'S RELIGIOUS FREEDOM 
COMMENTS IN CHINA 
 
REF: A) VATICAN 512, B) BEIJI NG 17460, C) TAIPEI 3796 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Fleur Cowan, Political Officer, POL, STATE. 
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d) 
1. (U) President Bush's call for increased religious freedom, 
and particularly "the need for [China] to invite leaders from 
the Vatican to come and discuss religious freedoms" was widely 
covered in Italian and Vatican-based news media.  In a press 
release supporting President Bush's statements, the Ambassador 
emphasized that "China has a great opportunity, following the 
President's visit, to become more open to the Holy See, and to 
work towards greater freedoms for its Catholic citizens, and 
indeed for those of all faiths." 
 
2. (SBU) Some observers noted the critical coverage by Italian 
newspaper, La Stampa, which reported an anonymous Vatican source 
stating that "for us it would have been better if it had never 
come along...The Chinese authorities will certainly not grant us 
greater religious freedom on the basis that Bush was the one who 
asked for it."  Other newspapers, however, reported positively 
on the issue. In fact, the official Vatican newspaper, 
L'Osservatore Romano, ran a front-page story with the headline: 
"Bush defends Religious Freedom in Beijing." The Italian bishops 
conference newspaper, Avvenire, published an editorial titled 
"He may not have attracted a huge audience, but at least Bush 
sang," in which the author lauded the President's efforts to 
draw Chinese and international attention to the religious 
freedom issue. 
 
3. (C) Comment: Post sees no evidence of Vatican disapproval of 
U.S. involvement in religious freedom issues in China.  In 
repeated conversations with Vatican interlocutors, Holy See 
officials have thus far been supportive of U.S. efforts, and at 
times have pressed for more action. The La Stampa article is 
more likely a case of left-leaning paper finding an anonymous 
Vatican voice anxious to criticize the U.S. and running with it. 
 End Comment. 
 
4. (U) Begin text of statement by the Ambassador: 
 
Monday, November 21 
 
This weekend in Beijing President Bush reaffirmed our country's 
strong belief that the People's Republic of China must pursue 
greater political and religious freedom for its citizens. 
 
As the United States Ambassador to the Holy See, I intend to 
make it a priority to support the Holy See on this issue.  China 
has a great opportunity, following the President's visit, to 
become more open to the Holy See, and to work towards greater 
freedoms for its Catholic citizens, and indeed for those of all 
faiths. 
 
The relationship between the Holy See and the United States is 
strong, and we will continue to work together to promote 
political and religious freedom in the world.  As President Bush 
noted this weekend, "a healthy society is a society that 
welcomes all faiths and gives people a chance to express 
themselves through worship with the Almighty." 
 
End Text. 
SANDROLINI