The Hindu : International : Pope calls for speedy change in Iraq

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Saturday, Jun 05, 2004

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International

Pope calls for speedy change in Iraq

By Vaiju Naravane

PARIS, JUNE 4. Pope John Paul II today told the U.S. President, George W. Bush, that the situation in Iraq "should be normalised as quickly as possible" with a speedy Iraqi return to sovereignty and the involvement of the U.N. and the international community.

Although he did not go into details or specifics, the Pope was also critical of the torture of prisoners by coalition forces in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison. "In the past few weeks other deplorable events have come to light which have troubled the civil and religious conscience of all, and made more difficult a serene and resolute commitment to shared human values," the head of the Roman Catholic Church said. In the absence of such a commitment, "neither war nor terrorism will ever be overcome," warned Pope John Paul II.

The Pope's criticism of prisoner abuse coincided with the publication of a United Nations Human Rights report that described the treatment of U.S.-held Iraqi prisoners as "a stain upon the effort to bring freedom to Iraq."

During his audience with the Pope, Mr. Bush presented the Pontiff with America's highest civilian honour, the Medal of Freedom. Prior to their public declarations, the Pope and Mr. Bush held private discussions for 15 minutes.

"It is the evident desire of everyone that this situation now be normalised as quickly as possible with the active participation of the international community and in particular, the United Nations Organisation, in order to ensure a speedy return of Iraq's sovereignty, in conditions of security for all its people," the 84-year-old Pope said, reading out his statement in English in a barely discernable voice.

Protesters' march

AP reports:

Under the watchful eyes of police, tens of thousands of Italian anti-war demonstrators marched through central Rome against the visit of Mr. Bush, many waving peace banners and calling for the pullout of Italian troops in Iraq.

Italy has deployed about 10,000 police to protect Mr. Bush and his entourage. The Italian Premier, Silvio Berlusconi, has said that he is worried about the possibility of violence.

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