HOLY SEE: NO OBJECTIONS TO EXTRADITION OF POPE'S ASSAILANT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 18, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the declaration released this morning by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls concerning the possibility of extradition for Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turk who made an attempt on Pope John Paul's life in St. Peter's Square on May 13, 1981:

"On June 25, 1997, following a confidential request made from the then Minister for Justice Giovanni M. Flick, the (Holy See) replied that it had no objections to handing Ali Agca over to the Turkish authorities, and that it would leave the decision to the Italian authorities.

"On October 24, 1997, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, in reply to a letter sent through diplomatic channels by Minister Flick, assured (him) that:
a) the Holy See had no objections to the request for the extradition of Mr. Ali Agca presented to the Italian government by the Turkish government;
b) there also were no objections to the acts which would be necessary to be able to proceed to receiving the above-mentioned request for extradition."

OP;EXTRADITION AGCA;...;NAVARRO-VALLS; SODANO;VIS;19990318;Word: 190;