Mr. George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
White House
Washington D.C. 20500 USA

Fribourg (Switzerland),
19th April 2002

Dear Mr. President,

Extremely occupied by the dramatic situation in the Holy Land, we feel we must inform you of our conviction that no form of violence will ever be able to resolve conflicts. Both the Palestinian suicide-attacks of recent months and the response of the Israeli army are but two aspects of the horror that assaults that region. We are persuaded that a durable peace can take hold only when the real causes of the conflict are eradicated.

We ask you to bring your full weight to bear on the situation in order to bring about a political solution that will guarantee the mutual recognition of the two States, Israeli and Palestinian, and make peaceful co-existence possible.

We expect, in short, that you do everything to have respect for and protection of the Holy Places guaranteed, no matter to which religion they may belong, and in particular that of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which is of central importance to the whole of Christianity.

We have also made representation to our own National Authorities and to the Holy See, as well as to other Organisms of the Church, to inform them of our actions.

Be assured, Mr. President, of our total esteem.

In the name of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Switzerland.

Mons. Amédée Grab
President

Custody Main