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Skriven 2006-07-28 08:11:48 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

ARCHBISHOP LAJOLO SPEAKS ON THE ROME CONFERENCE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 27, 2006 (VIS) - This morning, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo,
Holy See secretary for Relations with States, gave an interview to Vatican
Radio on the subject of the International Conference for Lebanon, which was
held yesterday in Rome and in which he participated as an observer.

In the interview, large extracts of which are given below, the archbishop
described as "positive" the speed with which the conference was convened and
the fact that "it focussed its attention on the most urgent needs of the
present time." On the subject of the final declaration, which was judged by
many as disappointing, he noted that "the expectations of the public were
certainly high, but for the well-informed who understand the difficulties, it
could perhaps be said that the results were significant."

The secretary for Relations with States then went on to enumerate some of those
results. In the first place, he pointed out "the fact that countries from
various parts of the world ... came together in an awareness of the gravity of
what is happening in Lebanon, reaffirming the need for the country to regain
full sovereignty as soon as possible," and that "they made a commitment to help
her." He also mentioned "the request to form an international force under the
United Nations, to support the regular Lebanese army in security matters," as
well as "the commitment to offer immediate humanitarian aid to the people of
Lebanon and the guarantee of support in rebuilding by calling a conference of
donor States." Finally, he highlighted the participants' commitment "to remain
in constant contact concerning further developments in the intervention of the
international community in Lebanon."

The sense of disappointment, said the archbishop, may have been caused above
all "by the fact that there was no request for an immediate cessation of
hostilities. Unanimity among the participants was not achieved because some
countries maintained that an appeal would not have produced the desired effect,
and it was felt more realistic to express a commitment to achieve without delay
a cessation of hostilities," a commitment "which can, in fact, be maintained."

Another problematic issue, said the archbishop, was the fact that the
conference limited itself "to inviting Israel to exercise the greatest
restraint. By its nature, this call has a certain inevitable ambiguity, whilst
respect for the innocent civilian population is a precise and binding duty."

Archbishop Lajolo also affirmed that yesterday Fouad Siniora, prime minister of
Lebanon, "had the opportunity to explain fully the dramatic nature of the
situation of the country, and to present his own plan for the immediate and
definitive resolution of the conflict with Israel. He was also able to witness
and further encourage the positive efforts being made by the international
community to help the Lebanese people, to put an end to the conflict and to
reinforce his government's control of the country."

In a meeting yesterday evening with Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano,
Fouad Siniora "expressed great appreciation for the commitment with which the
Holy Father in person, and the Holy See, are following the conflict that is
wracking Lebanon, and he requested continuing support for his country in the
international arena" said Archbishop Lajolo. "He also recalled the words of
Pope John Paul II, who defined Lebanon not only as a country but as 'a message'
for all peoples of harmonious coexistence among various religions and
confessions in one State."

The secretary for Relations with States affirmed that, following the Rome
conference, "the Holy See remains in favor of an immediate cessation of
hostilities. The problems on the table are many and extremely complex, and
precisely for that reason cannot all be dealt with together. While bearing in
mind the general picture and the overall solution to be achieved, the problems
must be resolved 'per partes,' beginning with those that are immediately
resolvable. The position of those who maintain that conditions must first be
created so that any truce is not once again violated is only apparently one of
realism, because those conditions can and must be created with means other than
the killing of innocent people. The Pope is close to those peoples, victims of
contrasts and of a conflict foreign to them. Benedict XVI prays, and with him
the entire Church, for the day of peace to come today and not tomorrow. He
prays to God and appeals to political leaders. The Pope weeps with every mother
weeping for her children, with all those weeping for their loved ones. An
immediate suspension of hostilities is possible, and therefore necessary."
.../MIDDLE EAST/LAJOLO VIS 060727 (770)

SUMMARY

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