Pope, Arafat Hold Mideast Discussion : Pontiff Calls for ‘Identical’ Israeli, Palestinian Homeland Rights

VATICAN CITY —  Pope John Paul II met with PLO leader Yasser Arafat for 20 minutes today and declared that Israelis and Palestinians have an “identical fundamental right” to a homeland but must shun reprisals and terrorism, the Vatican said.

The pontiff also expressed hope that Israelis and Palestinians would soon begin negotiations leading to peace in the Middle East.

It was the second meeting between the Pope and the Palestine Liberation Organization chairman in six years.

The Vatican said in a statement after the meeting: “The Pope expressed his hope that both peoples (Israelis and Palestinians) would soon see the beginning of a real process of understanding and of peace, which would put an end finally to their suffering and their fears.

“The Holy Father reiterated that he was profoundly convinced that the two peoples had an identical fundamental right to their own homelands in which they could live in liberty, dignity and security, in harmony with the neighboring peoples.”

The statement added that the Pope said “only a concrete effort and a sincere willingness to understand each other would produce progress on the road toward peace and justice.”

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro said Arafat filled in the Pope on the latest developments in the Middle East. However, he declined to provide specifics.

Arafat spoke in Arabic during the 20-minute session in the Pope’s library and was accompanied by Farouk Kaddoumi, head of the PLO’s political department and three other PLO representatives.

Israel and Jewish groups were angered by the Pope’s agreement to meet with Arafat in 1982. In an account of that meeting, the Vatican said the Pope called for a Palestinian homeland, respect for Israel’s security and an end to terrorism.

The Vatican, which maintains diplomatic relations with 117 countries, does not have formal ties with Israel, although the Pope has received Israeli leaders. The Vatican says the lack of relations is due to Israel’s unsettled boundaries and the problem of the Palestinians. It also does not have relations with Jordan.