Vatican envoy in the Palestinian territories

Vatican envoy Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who is also the chairman of the millennium committee, on Monday started a four-day visit to the holy lands in order to prepare for celebration to mark the second millennium since the birth of the Christ.

AFP quoted members of the cardinal's accompanying delegation as saying that he will meet with the Israeli, Palestinian and Catholic authorities, respectively.

AFP said the Cardinal met in this respect on Monday with Israeli Minister of tourism Moshe Katsaf, Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert and others.

Today the Cardinal is scheduled to meet with Catholic officials before he heads for Bethlehem in the West Bank to meet with the official for tourism in the Palestinian Authority, Metri Abu Eitah, Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Nasser and the chairman of the Palestinian committee in preparation for the year 2000 celebrations, Nabeel Qassis.

The Cardinal will also visit al-Nasserah on Wednesday and Thursday.