PERU: UNITE EFFORTS TO CREATE A CLIMATE OF TRUST

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received the new ambassador of Peru to the Holy See, Alberto Montagne Vidal, for the presentation of his Letters of Credence.

In his discourse, the Holy Father made reference to the "political and institutional crisis experienced by the country in recent months, ... which has created serious problems in the nation." He went on to affirm that "it is necessary to unite efforts and gather all people of good will, so that the honest collaboration of all parties creates a climate of trust, justice, loyalty, reciprocal respect, peace, and freedom. In this way the people will be able to overcome this crisis and recover the moral values of a just, reasonable, solid, and honest society, promoting a state of law in which the citizens feel equally responsible, and participate in building up the country and bringing about the common good."

John Paul II emphasized that it is necessary to work "to better the economic situation, overcoming the state of poverty created by heavy internal and external debt." As he had done on other occasions, he expressed his hopes for "a remission, or at least a significant reduction, of the debt by the creditor countries."

At the conclusion of his speech the Holy Father recalled the peace process which is underway with Ecuador, saying: "It is indispensable to resist every temptation to turn back. It is necessary to go forward in a spirit of coexistence between countries united by numerous common values, and in conformity with the peaceful tradition of the region."

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