DECLARATION ON VISIT OF JORG HAIDER TO THE VATICAN

VATICAN CITY, DEC 14, 2000 (VIS) - The following declaration was released this afternoon by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls:

"On December 16, a delegation from Carinthia, Austria, led by Governor Jorg Haider and by Bishop Egon Kapellari of Gurk, will officially give the Holy Father the gift of a Christmas tree which has been set up in St. Peter's Square, next to the nativity scene, as has been traditional since 1982.

"The offer of this tree was made official on December 3, 1997 with the then Governor of Carinthia, Christof Zernatto.

"As occurred in all preceding years, the delegation from Carinthia, a region of deep religiousness, will be received in the morning by the Holy Father.

"As is well known, pontifical audiences cannot be compared to the usual meetings between heads of State and political figures. They follow uniquely pastoral criteria. This allows the Roman Pontiffs the full liberty to encourage their guests to respect human and Christian values, following a line of conduct marked by constructive and productive dialogue."

OP;VISIT HAIDER;...;AUSTRIA; NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20001214;Word: 180;