Vatican to sign agreement with Palestinians
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Wednesday, February 16, 2000
ROME [MENL] -- Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat will sign an
agreement with the Vatican to outline the relationship between the
Palestinian Authority and the Catholic churches in Jerusalem.
The agreement will be signed Tuesday, when Palestinian leader Yasser
Arafat meets Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, Arafat adviser Nabil
Abourdeneh said.
Palestinian and Vatican representatives began negotiating the deal two
years ago in Jerusalem, shortly after Israel and the Holy See signed an
agreement to place Catholic institutions in Israel and east Jerusalem under
Israeli jurisdiction.
The Palestinians were concerned that the agreement implied recognition
of Israeli claims to the disputed sector.
"The agreement [to be signed] would also state the Vatican's position
regarding Jerusalem, the peace process and Palestinian rights,'' PA official
Emile Jarjoui said.
In Bethlehem, Jerusalem Patriarch Michel Sabbah, the highest ranking
Catholic official in the Holy Land, said the Catholic church supports
independence for both Israel and the Palestinians.
"All people must enjoy the same rights and statehood, an Israeli and
Palestinian state where Palestinians can live in freedom,'' Sabbah said
Friday. "Whoever was forcibly ousted from his homeland has the right to
return to his homeland."
Pope John Paul II is scheduled to visit Israel and the Palestinian
Autonomy in March.
Wednesday, February 16, 2000
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