Cablegate: Holy See Receptive to U.S. Concerns On China And
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS VATICAN 001300
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/WE LEVIN; WHA/CCA; EAP/CM; DRL-IRF; IO/SHA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CH CU KIRF PHUM VT UNHRC
SUBJECT: HOLY SEE RECEPTIVE TO U.S. CONCERNS ON CHINA AND
CUBA HUMAN RIGHTS
REF: STATE 41252
(SBU) POST SHARED REFTEL POINTS WITH ETTORE BALESTRERO, HOLY
SEE'S DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES APRIL 1. BALESTRERO
SAID THAT THE HOLY SEE DID NOT TYPICALLY TAKE AN OFFICIAL
POSITION ON RESOLUTIONS CRITICIZING THE RECORDS OF PARTICULAR
COUNTRIES. NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID, THE VATICAN REMAINED
CONCERNED ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN BOTH CUBA AND
CHINA -- PARTICULARLY REGARDING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- AND WAS
SYMPATHETIC TO USG CONCERNS. BALESTRERO PROMISED THAT THE
HOLY SEE WOULD TAKE U.S. CONCERNS INTO ACCOUNT IN ITS
DISCUSSIONS ON BOTH CUBA AND CHINA WITH INTERESTED COUNTRIES.
NICHOLSON
NNNN
2004VATICA01300 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED