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News Brief No. 10; February 22, 1999UN Conference in Rome, Norwegian Prime Minister and Church Leaders visit
Pope John Paul II announces intention to visit Bethlehem during the millennium celebrations - - - As the city of Rome hosted a two day conference (Feb.17 & 18, 1999) organized by the United Nations to mobilize international support for Bethlehem's millenium projects, Pope John Paul II said he hoped to visit Bethlehem during the 16 month long millenium celebrations being planned through the Bethlehem 2000 Project Authority. The Pope's comments on a potential visit to the holy city came in response to an invitation that the Pontiff received from Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to visit Bethlehem and participate in the Millennium celebrations.
In the seventh private audience given to President Arafat at the Holy See, President Arafat briefed Pope John Paul II on Palestinian plans to celebrate the millenium. In a separate meeting between President Arafat and the Pontiff Minister and Coordinator General of the Bethlehem 2000 Project, Dr. Nabeel Kassis, briefed His Holiness on the projects planned and already underway to develop the Bethlehem district. Dr. Nabeel Kassis delivered the final statement and closing remarks at the Rome conference on behalf of Palestine.
Norwegian Prime Minister visits Bethlehem 2000 - Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik visited the Bethlehem 2000 Project Authority headquarters on Sunday Feb. 21, 1999 and was taken on a tour of the Norwegian financed electricity project at Jarrad, in the southern part of the Bethlehem district. A briefing by Bethlehem 2000 Project Minister Dr. Nabeel Kassis, was followed by a tour of the Church of Nativity and the surrounding areas. The Norwegian government gives some $ 4.85 million in assistance to various Bethlehem 2000 Projects.
After being briefed by Dr. Nabeel Kassis about the Bethlehem 2000 Project, Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik announced that he accepted President Arafat's invitation to become a members of the Bethlehem 2000 International Committee. The Norwegian Prime Minister thus joins other world dignitaries such as Pope John Paul II, President Boris Yeltsin, French President Jacque Chirac and the President of Columbia as part of the Bethlehem 2000 International Committee.
Hundreds of Bishops and Religious Tour Operators visit Bethlehem Several Hundred Church leaders and Tour Operators were welcomed by the Bethlehem 2000 Authority Project, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Bethlehem Municipality toured Bethlehem and Beit Sahour Feb. 19, 1999. The church leaders and tour operators were briefed on the plans to prepare the Bethlehem district for the millenium celebrations. One of the main objectives of the Millenium plans for Bethlehem is to encourage pilgrims and tourists to spend more Time in Bethlehem. Church leaders and religious tour operators said they would adjust their tours of the Holy Land to allow tourists and pilgrims to spend more time in the district. |
