Pompeo sees Conte and Di Maio in 5G: “China has strategic purposes in Italy.” Minister: “Safety is our priority.” Tensions between the United States and the Vatican

Unity of purpose in 5G, but also in the Libyan file and in the case Chico Forti. This is what emerges at the end of the meetings between the Secretary of State of the United States, Mike pompeo, the first Minister, Giuseppe Conte, and, subsequently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi di maio. At the center of the summit with the prime minister the Italian strategies on the development of 5G, object of confrontation between United States and the ChinaWashington having repeatedly raised the alarm to European countries about alleged national security risks caused by the development of technologies Huawei. The main theme also of the last summit between the head of government, the competent ministers and the heads of delegation. “We know the concerns of the United States. For us safety is a top priorityDi Maio later said in response to the US diplomat’s appeal that he denounced the attempted ‘exploitation’ of the Communist Party of China of its presence in Italy.

In the morning, the head of American diplomacy had already attended a meeting in Vatican whence, however, strong tensions arose between the US administration and the Holy See, so much so that the Secretary for Relations with States, Mons. Paul Richard Gallagher, has come to affirm that “Trump exploits the Pope”.

Pompeo: “I asked Conte for attention about 5G.” Di Maio: “Safety is a priority, in favor of common EU standards”
From the United States, the message sent to Italy is always the same: beware of China. Pompeo himself reiterated this after meeting with Conte: “In my discussion with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte I asked to pay attention to privacy of its citizens“He said.” The Communist Party of China is trying to exploit its presence in Italy for its strategic purposesI’m not here to make sincere associations ”.

On the Italian side, Di Maio replied that he reiterated how the country is “firmly anchored in the US and the EU to which we are united by common values ​​and interests Born countries. For Italy there is allies, interlocutors me economic partners. A country like ours is open to investment opportunities, but never outside the borders ”. He then explained that “with Pompeo we had a friendly and constructive dialogue, with him I maintain a constant dialogue. I have to thank once again the extraordinary help of the United States as a government and private structures in the acute phase of the crisis. coronavirus“.

“We are well aware of the concerns” of our American allies, he continued. “Italy is fully aware of ensuring the security of 5G networks. It remains our top priority and we stand for common european rules“.

The Foreign Minister also addressed other international policy issues that link Italy with the United States. First, the question of Libya: “We depend to a large extent on the influence that the United States will be able to exert over Libyan interlocutors and international actors to avoid sabotage actionsOf the stabilization process, Di Maio said that he did not forget to thank Washington for the support provided in the Chico Forti case. “Thanks to Pompeo for the attention dedicated to Chico Forti, a story that is very close to our hearts and for which Italy will continue to work tirelessly.”

Tensions with the Vatican: “Trump exploits the Pope”
Pompeo’s day, however, began immediately under the banner of voltage. Talking to Symposium organized in Rome by the United States embassy in the Holy See On the subject of “promoting and defending religious freedom through diplomacy,” the United States Secretary of State stated that “the United States plays its part by speaking on behalf of victims of religious repression, we can do more, but we work hard to shed some light on abuse, punish those responsible and we can encourage others to join us in this mission. ” Words that come after in recent days on Twitter he relaunched the harsh editorial he wrote in a religious newspaper in which he claims The Holy See “would endanger its moral authority” if you renewed the agreement “reached two years ago” with Communist Party of China, hoping to help Chinese Catholics.

And based on this thesis he concluded his speech: “As far as nations can do, in the end our efforts are limited by the reality of world politics – continued the chief of diplomacy of the Trump administration – States sometimes commitments to promote good ends, leaders come and go and priorities change. But the Church is in a different position, they must not compromise the rules of principle based on eternal truths. And history has shown that Catholics have affirmed their principles in glorious deeds ” .

Pompeo then launched a direct appeal to French Pope asking him to give test of “courage” in the fight against religious persecution, especially in China: “I call on all religious leaders to find the courage to confront religious persecution in their communities and others – he said – Christian leaders must defend their brothers and sisters in Iraq, in North Korea It’s in Cuba“.

Words that provoked the reaction of the Vatican leaders, with the Secretary for Relations with States, Mons. Paul Richard Gallagher, who at the end of the meeting replied, who were asked if the American attitude is not a form of exploitation of the Pope on the part of Trump, that “yes, and this is precisely one of the reasons why the Pope will not meet with the Secretary of State of the United States, Mike Pompeo.” And then he added: “Didn’t you hear me say the word ‘China’? You haven’t heard me say any name, of any country, this is there practice of Vatican diplomacyNot pronouncing names and guilt is normally one of the principles of Vatican diplomacy ”.

Visibly irritatedGallagher added: “Anyway I only had a few minutes. They invited me to speak for a few minutes, it is not like that ”. To those asked if the US initiative was interference, he replied: “I can say this. Normally, when preparing for visits at such high official levels, the agenda is negotiated privately and confidentially. It is one of the rules of diplomacy, which gives both the opportunity to define the Symposium, not to take things for granted ”, thus suggesting that the US administration acted unilaterally with respect to the organization of the conference.

Parolin also intervened on the subject, answering those who asked him if he was irritated by Washington’s attitude: “Irritation would not saySurprise yes for this exit that we did not expect, although we have known for a long time the position of Trump and Secretary Pompeo in particular. A visit to Rome was already planned in which Pompeo would meet with some leaders of the Holy See, and that seemed to us the most opportune and appropriate place to talk about these things and we will do it, we will meet tomorrow and there will be a way to discuss them. Topics “.

But at the same time he shields himself from Francis and from what the Holy See saw as an attempt at exploitation: “This interpretation has been given, that is, the one through which this exit would be directed at US domestic politics. I don’t have the proof but it is a thought that can be done ”. And when asked if Mike Pompeo had asked to see the Pope, Parolin responded by softening Gallagher’s position: “He had asked, but the Pope had clearly said that political personalities are not welcomed during the election campaign. On the other hand, a secretary of state meets with his counterpart, the secretary of state ”.