VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was the Message written by Pope John Paul to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, on the vigil of his departure for Europe on a peace-seeking mission aimed at resolving the conflict in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In the message encouraging Secretary General Annan in his mission, the Pope writes that he is "convinced that the chain of hatred and violence cannot be broken unless it is with the force of fraternity, law and justice."
Following are excerpts from that message, written in French and dated April 27:
"On this occasion I which to express my prayers of solidarity and wish you every success in your mission. The Holy See greatly appreciates the fact that the United Nations finds its full role in the management of a crisis which involves the entire international community. It is indeed urgent that law and institutions be heard and not silenced by the din of arms.
"As you know, since the first moment of the crisis in Kosovo, I have expressed without the slightest hesitation my conviction that only loyal, patient and realistic negotiations are able to give a suitable answer to the legitimate aspirations of the peoples concerned, and I have encouraged every effort in this regard.
"Faced with the deportation of peoples in fear, with demands of all sorts and with the bombings of this past month, I can only exhort all those who, like you and with you, endeavor to resume the way of dialogue in order to arrive at the drafting of a peace plan and thus put an end to a human tragedy which concerns the conscience of all. My true appreciation is expressed to all the organizations and volunteers who dedicate themselves with such generosity to comfort so many of our brothers and sisters, The Catholic Church is also present on the ground and is working to help all those that she is able to reach. This humanitarian work is irreplaceable: It must continue, intensify and diversify."
MESS;...;...;UN; ANNAN;VIS;19990429;Word: 350;
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