Holy See accuses Britain of breaching diplomatic treaty

BY ED PENTIN IN ROME
BRITAIN and the Holy See are engaged in a diplomatic row after it emerged that the Foreign Office was planning to make changes to an ambassadorial residence, in contravention of a treaty between the two states.
The Villa Drusiana residence of Britain's ambassador to the Holy See was to be moved to an annex of the Villa Wolkonsky, the current residence of Britain's ambassador to Italy.
But the plans were unacceptable to the Vatican, which had already reluctantly allowed the offices of the British Embassy to the Holy See to be located within the same compound as the British embassy. The only other state permitted to combine both premises for reasons of security is Israel, while the United States continues to retain distinctly separate embassies and residences.
Vatican officials were irritated at being presented with the British proposal without consultation. Under the 1929 Lateran Treaty between Italy and the Vatican City, the Vatican has sovereign status and is entitled to foreign missions separate from Italy.
According to Church sources, Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican Secretary of State, made it clear they would, under no circumstances, allow this sovereign status to be further undermined by Britain's actions.
The Foreign Office says the plan has now been shelved. "Two missions will remain entirely separate, and Britain's embassy to the Holy See will be clearly identified as a separate mission," said a spokesman, adding that the location of the residence is still under consideration and will not be at the Villa Wolkonsky.
But questions still remain over the embassy. Francis Campbell, Britain's new Ambassador to the Holy See, is already working with reduced staff since his office premises moved. Not only is his current residence to be given up, but his domestic staff have been dismissed.
He has no personal protection or car, and is forced to turn up to Vatican functions in a taxi or — it has been rumoured — on the Number 64 bus. Sir Ivor Roberts, Britain's ambassador to Italy, is provided with an armour-plated car and a motorcade.
Foreign Office officials, however, deny the Government is.cutting costs with a view to shutting down the mission.
'There is no question of closing or downgrading the embassy. The embassy is a very important part of our network,' said the spokesman, adding that the changes regarding the premises have been made "for
security reasons". However, The Catholic Herald has learned that the Villa Drusiana, which costs an estimated £6,860 a month to rent, is expected to be given up for a modest two-bedroom apartment in the centre of Rome.
This will be a disadvantage to the Holy See's Ambassador. The discreet and well-protected 14th century villa was seen as an effective venue for diplomatic and religious meetings. It was also large enough to accommodate overnight guests. During the funeral of Pope John Paul II last year, HRH Prince Charles, Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy were all able to lodge there.
"Who will be having to share the sofa-bed next time?" joked one Rome priest.
However, Mr Campbell, who has close connections with Prime Minister Tony Blair, recently defended the closure on the grounds that garden parties, which were sometimes held there, were out of date.
For the Foreign Office the situation is particularly embarrassing, Despite statements saying that security, rather than savings, is the reason for the changes, this is hotly disputed by observers.
The Holy See is known to be deeply disappointed by the Government's handling of this matter, but has declined to make an official comment.