DECLARATION ON SCHEDULED PERES VISIT

VATICAN CITY, DEC 11, 2001 (VIS) - The following declaration was made early this afternoon by Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, concerning a visit to the Vatican that was scheduled for today by Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres:

"1. With short notice, and through the Israeli Embassy to the Holy See, an audience was requested with the Holy Father, the Cardinal Secretary of State (Angelo Sodano), and Archbishop Tauran (secretary for Relations with States), for Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, for Tuesday, December 11, between 12 and 12:30 p.m.

"2. Due to previous commitments and the short notice given, it was impossible for the Holy Father to receive the distinguished guest.

"3. His Holiness arranged for both the Cardinal Secretary of State and Archbishop Tauran to receive Minister Peres in his name. The audience was therefore scheduled for (today) Tuesday, December 11, at 12:30 p.m.

"4. At 9:30 this morning, Israeli Ambassador Yosef Neville Lamdan telephoned to say that, unfortunately, the Minister could not come to the Vatican at the established time due to commitments with the Italian authorities."

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