Cablegate: Droc--Vatican Demarche

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 001261

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (VAN CLEVE); DEPT FOR AF/C

FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 31/01

E.0. 12958: DECL: 03/05/11
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS CG VT
SUBJECT: DROC--VATICAN DEMARCHE

1. (U) CLASSIFIED BY CDA JOSEPH MERANTE FOR REASONS 1.5
(A) AND (D) .

2. (C) DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MIGLIORE CALLED IN CHARGE
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 02 VATICA 01261 061419Z
TO PRESENT A PRO MEMORIA ON THE SITUATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (FAXED TO EUR/WE 3/6). (NOTE: FOREIGN
MINISTER TAURAN IS ATTENDING THE POPE'S ANNUAL LENTEN
RETREAT).

3. (C) MIGLIORE EXPANDED UPON THE TEXT OF THE PRO
MEMORIA. HE SAID THAT THE VATICAN IS REQUESTING THE U.S.
AND THE UK TO PUT PRESSURE ON UGANDA AND RWANDA TO FULLY
WITHDRAW ITS TROOPS FROM THE KIVU REGION, TO IMMEDIATELY
CEASE THE ILLEGAL EXPLOITATION OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES,
AND TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERCONGOLESE DIALOG.
MIGLIORE SAID THAT THE UGANDAN/RWANDAN OCCUPATION OF KIVU
CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEATH OF OVER ONE MILLION PEOPLE IN THE
PAST FEW YEARS.

4. (C) CHARGE INQUIRED IF THE HOLY SEE WOULD BE
APPROACHING OTHER COUNTRIES IN ADDITION TO THE U.S. AND THE
UK. MIGLIORE SAID THAT THE VATICAN HAD DECIDED TO LIMIT
ITS DEMARCHE TO THE U.S. AND THE UK ON THE SITUATION IN THE
KIVU REGION BECAUSE IT BELIEVES WE ARE THE TWO COUNTRIES
WITH THE MOST INFLUENCE WITH THE RWANDANS AND THE UGANDANS.
HOWEVER, THE VATICAN WILL BE CONTACTING THE ANGOLANS AND
THE ZIMBABWEANS TO URGE THEM TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE
DIALOG. MIGLIORE SAID THAT HE BELIEVES ZIMBABWE IS GOING
TO RESIST AS PRESIDENT MUGBAE'S SON IS A KEY PLAYER IN THE
EXPLOITATION OF THE DIAMOND MINES IN THE DROC. MIGLIORE
ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS CONSIDERING CONSULTING WITH THE
BELGIAN AMBASSADOR.

5. (C) COMMENT: THE FACT THAT MIGLIORE MADE NO MENTION OF
CONSULTATIONS WITH THE FRENCH IS SURPRISING. THE FRENCH
CONFIDENTIAL

PAGE 03 VATICA 01261 061419Z
EMBASSY TO THE VATICAN HAS REPEATEDLY URGED THE VATICAN AND
SANT'EGIDIO TO BECOME ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS.

6. (U) ACTION REQUESTED: EMBASSY SHOULD REPLY TO MIGLIORE
BY 3/9. REQUEST THAT DEPARTMENT PROVIDES POINTS FOR USE.
MERANTE

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