APPEAL IN FACE OF DRAMA IN RWANDA, BURUNDI AND ZAIRE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 13, 1996 (VIS) - In today's general audience in the Paul VI Hall, John Paul II said: "I hope from the bottom of my heart that the next few days' reflection at the World Food Summit will lead to effective initiatives for a solution to the disconcerting drama of hunger in the world."

At the beginning of the audience, which was delayed due to the Pope's visit earlier this morning to FAO headquarters in Rome, the Holy Father reminded the pilgrims present of the "tragic condition" of more than 800 million hungry people in the world.

"It is necessary," he added, "to realize, with urgency, all possible efforts to eliminate the scandal of the coexistence of people lacking even what is necessary and others overflowing with what is superfluous. May it be God's will that, thanks to the contribution of those responsible for Nations and volunteer organizations, and of every person of good will, the commitment to solidarity with constant attention to the neediest may grow on each continent."

"While I was speaking this morning," he continued, "I felt in a particularly keen way in my heart the tragedy of the Rwandan and Burundian refugees and the populations of Kivu in Zaire, victims of the inhumane logic of inter-ethnic conflicts. It is a drama that is constantly present in my spirit. How can one remain indifferent in the face of people who have by now reached the extreme, while they could help themselves to food and first aid medicine, amassed in large quantities not far from them?"

"I renew a heartfelt appeal to the consciences and responsibility of all the parties involved and of the entire international community, so that - without doubt - they will go to the aid of those brothers and sisters. The offense to their lives and their dignity is an offense against God, whose image each human being carries within him. No uncertainty, no pretext, no calculation will ever be able to justify, ever, a further delay in humanitarian assistance!"

John Paul II prayed at the end that the blood spilled by so many innocents may serve to "conquer hate" and that "on the beloved African continent an era of mutual respect and fraternal embrace may arise."
AG/HUNGER:REFUGEES AFRICA/... VIS 961113 (380)