NUNCIO ASKS INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY FOR MIDDLE EAST SITUATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 31, 2001 (VIS) - The afternoon of October 29 Archbishop Renato Martino, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, spoke before the Fourth Committee of the U.N. General Assembly on Item 87, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine.

"The events of 11 September," he stated, "seem to have cast a dark shadow upon the life of this city which in turn has a profound effect throughout the world. However this is but one tragedy which makes my Delegation heavy of heart. Although they were founded as temporary agencies, UNRWA and the Pontifical Mission for Palestine have labored to assist the Palestinian Refugees for over fifty years."

The archbishop observed that "Each year we come before this Committee with an intervention and I am sorry to say that each year our observations are the same. Violence in Israel and the Occupied Territories continues to take innocent lives. ... In particular, I note the incursions into the Christian towns of Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and Beit Jala." He named some of the many Church institutions that have suffered shell damage, and added: "Numerous houses in these towns have sustained damage from artillery and as a result, the Pontifical Mission for Palestine has been making emergency grants to aid with repairs or for the relocation of the residents." The Mission is also creating projects "to put the unemployed to work, projects which will benefit the community at large are sponsored."

"It is the hope of my Delegation," affirmed Archbishop Martino, "that any solution found for the multifaceted problems of the region will include the question of the Holy City of Jerusalem. In light of the numerous incidents of violence and the rigors of imposed closures, the Holy See renews its consistent call for 'internationally guaranteed provisions to ensure the freedom of religion and of conscience of its inhabitants, as well as permanent, free and unhindered access to the Holy Places by the faithful of all religions and nationalities'."

In concluding remarks, he appealed "for greater international solidarity and the political will to meet the challenge of the seemingly unending violence in the region. The arms manufacturers of the world have the region awash in weapons. These weapons help to fuel the fire of violence throughout the entire area. Further, my Delegation appeals to the international community to assist in bringing a just resolution to the differences between the peoples of the Holy Land who are all cousins in the Abrahamic faith."

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