NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN CITY, JUL 29 (ZENIT).- U.S. Secretary of Sate Madeleine Albright was at the Vatican today to discuss issues including the Middle East peace process, and the situation in the Balkans and some Asian countries.

      Albright had more than one hour's "cordial conversation" with the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, two days before the opening of the Sarajevo conference, which will focus on the Balkans' situation.

      Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said that "both parties agreed on the need to persevere in efforts for law and justice that will guarantee genuine peace and true coexistence among peoples everywhere."

      Later, Madeleine Albright met with Italy's Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini, and expressed concern over the establishment of mechanisms for the stabilization and reconstruction of Kosovo and the whole area, which are proceeding "slowly, far more slowly than we would wish." She said that the process must move forward with "greater speed." ZE99072903

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