WEST BANK: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

Record ID: 561843

  • Title: WEST BANK: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
  • Date: 17th October 2007
  • Summary: WIDE OF MEETING BETWEEN U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE RICE, PALESTINIAN MINISTER OF TOURISM KHOLOUD DAIBES AND PALESTINIAN COMMUNITY LEADERS VARIOUS OF RICE AND DAIBES TALKING VARIOUS OF MEETING RICE AND DAIBES SHAKING HANDS
  • Embargoed: 1st November 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAAD5HHOS5LV77G63HMYPR42FN5
  • Story Text: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Rice also meets with Palestinian Tourism Minister Kholoud Daibes and civic leaders in Bethlehem.
    The search for peace in the Middle East took U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Bethlehem on Wednesday (October 17), where she toured the Church of the Nativity and voiced hope for reconciliation.
    Rice said the religious history in the region could aid the peace process.
    "These great monotheistic religions that have inhabited this land together have an opportunity to overcome differences, to put aside grievances, to make the power of religion a power of healing and a power of reconciliation, rather than a power of division. And that is what these great holy sites remind us of, is that the three great religions indeed share a common vision of peace, and a common vision of humanity - and that is what I ultimately take away from this trip. Thank you so much for welcoming me here," Rice said.
    It was a rare sightseeing tour for Rice, who came to the region on Sunday to try to bridge gaps between the Palestinians and Israel over parameters for a Middle East conference expected to be held in Annapolis, Maryland in November or December.
    Tourism, the lifeblood of Bethlehem's economy, has fallen sharply over the past seven years of Israeli-Palestinian violence.
    The smell of incense wafted through the air of the hushed church as Rice, who has described herself as a deeply religious person, visited the grotto revered as the birthplace of Jesus.
    She later met Palestinian civic leaders, business people and academics for a roundtable discussion at a Bethlehem hotel.
    U.S. officials said the meeting was aimed at conveying to ordinary Palestinians just how serious Washington is about achieving peace and to hear their views.
    After her visit to Bethlehem, Rice was expected to travel to the West Bank city of Ramallah for further talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whom she last met on Monday.
    Rice also planned to meet Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni later in the day and have dinner with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
    She has been trying to help Israeli and Palestinian leaders to agree on a common document that would serve as the basis for the international gathering.
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