Pope's visit helps Syria understands the world and the world understands Syria
Syria-Vatican, Politics, 5/7/2001

"Any time hundreds of journalists come to Syria, I think it helps Syria understands the world and the World understands Syria, because the Pope is talking about dialogue and of building bridges, a visit is particularly important," Robert Moore, Diplomatic Editor, ITN News, London told Arabic News. He added:" the hope must be that Syria can see itself as part of the wider world and the Europeans will understand Syria better."

On his impressions about the country Moore noted: " I have been in Syria many times. And the warmth of people is always very striking."

He noted that the Pope's visit to Quneitra will certainly focus attention on the Golan Heights but it seems unlikely to change the landscape for peace making, but these will be powerful images center round the world." In a similar statement to Arabic News, on the occasion of Pope's John Paul II to Damascus, French Journalist Christian Chesnot said that the Pope's visit to Syria is a very important event. It is a very important opportunity for Syria, because Syria is not used to host such large number of journalists, so it is a good practice and experience for the future. He continued that the importance of the Pope's visit for Syria in that in the West Syria is misunderstood and people there still think that Syria is a terrorist state, noting that when hundreds of journalists come to Syria there will be a change in the image of Syria, especially as many of these journalists are in Syria for the first time. They have become to know the real situation in the country and how Christians and Muslims reconcile and that there is a peaceful coexistence between the two communities. He commented " For me the more Syria will be opened this image will be improved for a better image for Syria." He explained that the Pope's visit has a double effects, the first is the image of Syria on the political aspect and the second effect that this visit will encourage tourism attraction and therefore Syria has a great interest to open to the West.

He also noted that the Pope's visit is very important for Christians, because they are a minority, as the highest authority of the Church coming for them, especially as the Pope had visited earlier Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, in order to open the dialogue between Muslims and Christians.

Mr. Chesnot continued that the Pope's visit is also good for the West to know the real face of Syria. He said on the political level, the visit is very important for Syria in the context of the Intifada, and the Syrian Golan occupied by Israel. He explained: " The Pope is here to repeat the principles of peace. Even the Pope has not an army, but he has the moral voice as a representative of more than 2 billion Christians."

He said the Pope's visit is also of great support for Syria because his holiness said in his speech upon arriving in Damascus " We must return to international legitimacy to apply UN resolutions," noting that the Pope condemned the acquisition of land of others by means of force and he mentioned the Geneva Convention, which is a political statement.

Mr. Chesont said The Pope's visit to Quneitra has a special meaning because Quneitra is a symbol of israel's occupation of this holy place. He explained:" The Pope's visit to Quneitra is a silent one and this is very important because the silence of the Pope in Quneitra is more emotional, stronger and symbolic than the sound of speech," adding " And this is why this visit is very important."

Bill Blakemore of the US NBC News said: " I have been covering the tours of the Pope since his investiture 20 years ago. What the Pope is doing. He is trying to create peace and he is insisting on non- violence and on tolerance among religions, and on dignity." Mr. Blakemore continued that the Pope in his visit to Syria, Poland, the Philippines.. etc he is always very consistent. He breaks barriers because he is a master of dramatic gesture. He explained that the Pope became a priest because he understands universal human rights and because how evil every human can be, noting that is very fair and he was criticizing Israel at his arrival statement in Damascus.

Sophie de Ranvinel of the News Agency I- MEDIA told Arabic News that the Pope's visit is very good for people here in Syria because he is looking for unity and peace and " I think it is also good for Muslims because the Pope will enter into the Umayyad mosque." She continued:" I hope that this visit of the Pope, even it is difficult to establish peace will help that peace is coming." She added that the Pope has given a peaceful message for love between the three children of Abraham, the father of the three divine religions.

She said that the people in Syria are very nice. " They want us to explain the reality of coexistence between Christians and Muslims."

Previous Stories:
  Pope arrives in Damascus   (5/5/2001)
  Pope John Paul II in Damascus today   (5/5/2001)
  The Pope to hold a mass at the Damascus Abbasids' Stadium   (5/4/2001)

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