VZCZCXRO8658
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHROV #0003/01 0040920
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040920Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0611
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0639

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 000003 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE JLARREA, S/GAC DYBUL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: VT PREL PHUM TBIO SOCI KHIV
SUBJECT: EMBASSY VATICAN HIV/AIDS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF 
FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, USG 
 
REF: A. 05VATICAN 493 
 
     ¶B. VATICAN 26 
     ¶C. VATICAN 490 
 
VATICAN 00000003  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary. Post's December 20 HIV/AIDS conference focused 
on combating the spread of AIDS with a special focus on 
partnerships with faith-based organizations.  High level and 
knowledgeable speakers from the Holy See, Caritas, UNAIDS, 
Sant'Egidio, and the private sector combined with a dedicated 
and involved audience to create a very successful event.  End 
summary. 
 
 
 
¶2. (U) Ambassador Rooney opened Post's AIDS conference on 
December 20 with an overview of PEPFAR and the USG's 15 billion 
dollar commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS.  In his opening 
remarks, the Ambassador highlighted the contributions of 
faith-based organizations and the increasing quality of care 
resulting from them.  He reminded the attendees that the USG is 
committed to continuing efforts against HIV/AIDS and is looking 
for creative ways to work with those affected by this terrible 
disease because Americans care. 
 
 
 
¶3. (U) UNAIDS representative Karen Stanecki discussed ways in 
which the UN works on the ground in affected countries to help 
prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and to care for those already 
infected.  One program that Ms. Stanecki brought to light was a 
program in Iran for at-risk IV drug users based on Muslim 
theology.  She described the program as a comprehensive care 
package including methadone therapy and needle exchange based on 
theological analysis.  While Ms. Stanecki didn't get into many 
details on this program, it caught the attention of guests and 
participants alike. 
 
 
 
¶4. (U) The Sant'Egidio Drug Resource Enhancement Against AIDS 
and Malnutrition (DREAM) project is an NGO on the ground in the 
African countries most affected by HIV/AIDS,  distributing 
anti-retroviral drugs (ARVS), educating people on the spread of 
the virus and how to prevent it, and giving palliative care for 
those who are at the end stage (reftel c).  Dr. Leonardo 
Palombi, Scientific Director of the DREAM project, presented 
their unique holistic approach which includes addressing the 
problem of malnutrition as a key factor in the spread of 
HIV/AIDS.  He pointed out that malnutrition weakens people to 
the point that they are far more susceptible to HIV/AIDS 
infection and that those who are already infected and suffering 
from malnutrition have even more difficulty fighting the virus 
(reftel b). 
 
 
 
¶5. (U) Fr. Bob Vitillo, Special Advisor on HIV/AIDS for Caritas 
Internationalis, explained his organization's approach to 
fighting HIV/AIDS through a program of training, advocacy, and 
partnering with Catholic bishops' conferences throughout the 
world.  Caritas faces the challenges of fighting HIV/AIDS within 
the teachings of the Catholic Church, which adds a significant 
layer to its work. Caritas was recently recognized by UNAIDS for 
its "Choose to Care" program as a best practice in fighting 
HIV/AIDS.  "Choose to Care" was selected for this recognition 
due to its on-the-ground, faith-based program that helps AIDS 
victims of all sorts in various ways, such as caring for the 
orphans resulting from the death of parents infected with AIDS 
or hospice care for end-stage patients.  Fr. Vitillo thanked the 
USG for the funding and trust given to faith-based 
organizations. 
 
 
 
¶6. (U) This event was attended by more than 100 people including 
ambassadors, Curia members, clergy, and journalists. The 
conference was covered in the International Herald Tribune and 
many Catholic media outlets.  Apart from attracting attention, 
it also generated real interest; for example, the British 
ambassador praised it as the best he'd seen on the subject this 
year.  During the question and answer session, a Nigerian priest 
got up to declare passionately that Africans have been 
underestimated ("we are not animals!") and can indeed defeat 
HIV/AIDS.  His vehement words were met with enthusiastic 
applause and attendees are still commenting on his 
participation. 
 
 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Comment:  Media attending the conference focused on 
 
VATICAN 00000003  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
the unexpected stance of Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan -- 
until now an advocate of tolerance for condom use in certain 
circumstances -- calling now for chastity and monogamous 
marriage as the keys to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS 
(reftel a).  We hear that the Cardinal has been pressured from 
above to fall in line with the Vatican's stance.   We remain 
anxious to see if his widely publicized document favoring a more 
liberal approach toward condom use ever appears.  The Cardinal 
has been named as the Vatican's special envoy to the 
celebrations of World Day of the Sick in South Korea in 
February.  Presentations from the conference will be available 
in their entirety on Post's website.  End Comment. 
SANDROLINI