By Sabina Zaccaro
ROME, Jan 12 2007 (IPS)

Pope Benedict XVI has found some support for his call for peace solutions in the Middle East and around the world.

Condemning terrorism as “moral perversion”, the Pope demanded inter-religious freedom and dialogue in his New Year’s state of the world address to Vatican-based diplomats Monday this week.

The Pope said forgiveness is particularly necessary in Iraq “which in the past years has suffered daily from violent acts of terrorism.” The Pope made no reference to the execution of Saddam Hussein.

But he saw signs of hope in the Middle East, where he said a “global approach” is needed to satisfy both Israeli and Palestinian priorities. “I renew my urgent appeal to all parties involved in the complex political chessboard of the region, hoping for a consolidation of the positive signs noted in recent weeks between Israelis and Palestinians.”

The Pope said: “A global approach is needed, which excludes no one from the search for a negotiated settlement, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the different peoples involved. In particular, the Lebanese have a right to see the integrity and sovereignty of their country respected; the Israelis have a right to live in peace in their state; the Palestinians have a right to a free and sovereign homeland.”

The Pope’s stand drew diplomatic support. “Of course it’s not up to me to say what the Pope should do,” said Naji Abi Assi, Lebanese ambassador to the Holy See, the independent state of the Vatican, the seat of the Catholic faith. “But what he did is very important; he’s sending a wide message of peace to the parties, inviting them to reflection before action. And this is key.”

The Pope’s call needs to be followed up through multilateral diplomacy, Assi told IPS. “On a concrete basis, the Holy See is supporting the idea of an international conference to review the situation in the Middle East. That would be a highly valuable initiative.”

According to Naji Abi Assi, the key factor in the pontiff’s statement was the “invitation to a global approach, not a partial one. His speech is a kind of crossroad, it is based on principles which have already proven to be wise, and that could lead to peace – hopefully in 2007.”

The Pope took a stand on sensitive trouble spots. He expressed concern about the ‘Iraqisation’ of Afghanistan, despite the ‘peacekeeping mission’ for reconstruction of the country and support for its democratic renaissance.

Italy supports the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan with around 1,300 soldiers. Isaf aims to maintain security and support development through humanitarian aid and reconstruction – with dubious results so far.

The Italian involvement is one reason behind the Pope’s concerns about Afghanistan – the Pope is also the Bishop of Rome. There is widespread concern in Italy over the involvement in Afghanistan.

“The war in Afghanistan never really ended,” Gen. Fabio Mini, former commander-in-chief of Italian troops in Kosovo told IPS. Last year violence rose, with increased attacks by Taliban groups and indiscriminate bomb assaults by NATO forces.

“The country’s conditions are extremely unstable, and they are of course an obstacle to the final purpose of our military commitment, which is stabilisation,” Gen. Mini said. “But that is not a good reason for leaving Afghanistan to its destiny. Military contribution is not merely a matter of war or peace; it has become a necessary instrument of foreign policy.”

The Pope made no specific comment on military involvement in Afghanistan, nor did he elaborate what ‘Iraqisation’ could mean for Afghanistan.

Earlier during Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica the Pope returned to the theme of globalisation often stressed by his predecessor, John Paul II.

“Religious leaders of all faiths must play a role in ensuring that the spiritual and cultural aspects of life are not forgotten as mankind deals with the challenges of globalisation,” he said. He added that the centre of the universe can no longer be Europe, or the west.

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