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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS VATICAN 004231

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (DEAN), EUR/PD/PA, AF/C, DRL/IRF

FROM EMBASSY VATICAN/MESSAGE NO. 132/01

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM RW VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN VERBATIM

1. THE AUGUST 04 - 10 EDITION OF NEWS AND VIEWS FROM
VATICAN CITY.

CONTENTS:

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 VATICA 04231 101111Z
- ARCHDIOCESE SAYS RWANDAN PRIEST "NOT HIDING FROM JUSTICE"

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RWANDAN PRIEST "NOT HIDING FROM JUSTICE"
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2. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF FLORENCE CLAIMS A
RWANDAN PRIEST ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE IS NOT HIDING IN ITALY
AND HAS NOT RECEIVED FORMAL NOTIFICATION OF CHARGES AGAINST
HIM. THE SPOKESMAN SAYS FATHER ATHANASE SEROMBA HAS CEASED
TO OFFICIATE AT PUBLIC LITURGICAL RITES BECAUSE OF
"ASPHYXIATING" MEDIA ATTENTION. FATHER SEROMBA IS APPARENTLY
READY TO "EXPLAIN" HIS SITUATION AND RESPOND TO ALL
ACCUSATIONS AGAINST HIM, "IN THE PROPER FORUM WHEN HE IS
REQUIRED TO DO SO." THE SPOKESMAN SAID, "THERE IS SUSPICION
THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY BE INTERESTED IN HARMING THE CHURCH IN
RWANDA." AFRICA RIGHTS, A LONDON-BASED HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP,
FIRST REPORTED ACCUSATIONS OF GENOCIDE AGAINST SEROMBA.
ITALIAN MISSIONARY NEWS AGENCY "MISNA" TOLD REPORTERS THAT
AFRICA RIGHTS' ACCUSATIONS SHOULD BE DEALT WITH CAUTIOUSLY
BECAUSE ETHNIC TUTSI RWANDANS WHO ARE CLOSE TO THE CURRENT
REGIME IN KIGALI" FOUNDED THE ORGANIZATION. (NOTE: MISNA IS
NOT A VATICAN NEWS AGENCY. END NOTE). MERANTE

UNCLASSIFIED

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2001VATICA04231 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

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