ARCHBISHOP MARTINO SPEAKS ON PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST  
   VATICAN CITY, NOV 8, 2000 (VIS) Archbishop Renato Martino, apostolic
   nuncio and Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, spoke
   yesterday before the 55th session of the General Assembly on Item 36,
   Bethlehem 2000.
 
   Archbishop Martino stated: "Let us continue to hope for the progress
   of the peace process in the Middle East, for the guarantee of freedom
   of movement and unhindered access to the Holy Places in Bethlehem and
   throughout the region for the faithful of all religions and all
   nations and that the settlement of disputes may truly symbolize an
   atmosphere of peace and reconciliation for all peoples; especially
   those who look forward to a third millennium in which everyone can
   live in harmony with one another, guided by the light, not of a star
   but of hope for people of good will."
 
   The nuncio also recalled John Paul II's numerous appeals for an
   atmosphere of dialogue to be restored and for a stop to armed conflict
   in the Middle East.