Pope's PLOT

Curb terrorism - Italy , End violence - Pope
What's the difference?
Italy assures strong measures to curb terrorism against Lanka
End violence, Respect HR, restart talks - Pope
The visit by President Rajapaksa is the first by a Sri Lankan leader to Rome in 24 years, the last being former President J.R. Jayewardene.
The discussions between the two leaders were friendly and cordial, a media release from the Presidential Secretariat stated adding that President Rajapaksa expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude for the assistance rendered by the Italian Government during the Tsunami catastrophe.
While agreements have already been signed in the areas of education, culture, science and technical co-operation between the two countries by the Foreign Ministry, the two leaders discussed the possibility of extending this to cover other fields too in the future.
The Italian President stressed that his Government would not condone any terrorist activity directed against Sri Lanka and that steps would be taken to investigate those who are lending such assistance on Italian soil.
President Rajapaksa gave a lengthy briefing on the present situation in Sri Lanka to his Italian counterpart while eliciting a positive response from his host to his request for Italy’s support in the quest for permanent peace in Sri Lanka.
President Rajapaksa also had lengthy discussions pertaining to expat Lankan workers in Italy with the attention of Italian leader being drawn to finding more employment for Lankans in Italy.
The talks helped to strengthen existing friendship and bi-lateral relations between the two countries, the release added.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Italy Rodney Perera were also present.-------
Respect HR, restart talks - Pope
Pope Benedict has urged President Rajapaksa to respect human rights The Vatican says it has urged the Sri Lankan authorities to resume negotiations with the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels. During a meeting with the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, Pope Benedict stressed the need to respect human rights and called the escalating conflict in Sri Lanka "dramatic".
"The need was reiterated to respect human rights and resume the path of dialogue and negotiation as the only way to put an end to the violence that is bloodying the island," Vatican statement said.
President Rajapakse is on a three day official visit to Italy.
Madhu pilgrims
The Sri Lankan President's attention was drawn by the Vatican to the Madhu chuch and requested to provide facilities to pilgrims.
President's Media Director, Chandrapala Liyanage, told BBC Sinhala that the President Rajapakse recalled that he provided facilities to Madhu pilgrims while he was the Prime Minister as well.
The need was reiterated to respect human rights and resume the path of dialogue and negotiation as the only way to put an end to the violence that is bloodying the island
Vatican statement
Rajapakse explained that pilgrims are facing difficulties due to LTTE activities, Liyanage added.
The Pope has been urged by aid agencies to raise concerns about the escalating conflict between the Sri Lankan forces and the Tamil Tigers.
The Catholic charity Caritas, which works in north-eastern Sri Lanka, says more than 40,000 people have been displaced in the last month alone.
The Pope said in his Easter address that "only a negotiated solution" could end the country's civil war.
Pope initiative may lead to UN peacekeeping in Sri LankaFri, 2007-04-20 19:29 By Joseph Thavaraja
Colombo, 20 April, (Asiantribune.com): A successful audience with Pope Benedict XVI by President Mahinda Rajapakse may lead to the possible arrival (later) of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in the country, hinted 'Caritas Australia' today. If all goes well, the UN peacekeepers would possibly take on from where Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission left, it is further learnt.To this end, the Australians are "keenly watching the outcome of President Rajapakse's audience with His Holiness the Pope", it is reported.
Caritas Australia belongs to one of the largest international aid and development networks in the world called Caritas International. It consists of a network of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organizations in over 200 countries and territories.
"The Australian Government needs to be vigilant as to the outcomes of this papal initiative. A revitalized peace process would be of great benefit. Australia is independent and well regarded and can play a pivotal role in encouraging the Sri Lankan Government to accept a UN auspiced human rights monitoring mission" hinted Jack de Groot, Chief Executive Officer of Caritas Australia on April 20.
De Groot said that UN Monitors on the ground in Sri Lanka will affect the behaviour of all parties to the conflict, thereby protecting lives. "A number of states already promote the monitoring mission and Australia's active involvement would encourage the USA, India and other key states to support the initiative" he added.
"Where talk of peace in Sri Lanka is seen as grounds for treason amongst some protagonists in the conflict, we see the initiative of the Catholic Church to invite President Rajapakse to meet with the Pope as highly significant", Mr de Groot of Caritas Australia emphasized in a release.
- Asian Tribune -