Communicated by Tourism Ministry Spokeswoman Jerusalem, 13 January 1998 Tourism Ministry presents report on preparations for Israel 2000 Events Tourism Ministry Director-General David Litvak and Senior Deputy Director-General Shabtai Shai yesterday (Monday), 12.1.98, presented Christian church leaders in Israel with a report on preparations for the Israel 2000 events. During the meeting, the report's conclusions and cabinet decisions taken last month on the subject were presented, including the decision that Tourism Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Katzav and the Tourism Ministry would lead the preparations for the year 2000 events. The meeting yesterday evening took place in the framework of meetings being held in order to strengthen relations between the Tourism Ministry, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Foreign Ministry and Christian church and religious leaders in Israel. The meetings are also intended to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in order to best prepare for the flow of pilgrims expected to arrive in Israel in 2000. Church leaders in Israel, including Bishop Camel Batchish, the Vatican's representative in Israel for the jubilee preparations, stated that they have established the Jerusalem Inter-Christian Committee to handle these preparations. Bishop Batchish said that the preparations for the year 2000 events create an appropriate background for inter-faith rapprochement and reconciliation between Jews, Christians and Muslims. Bishop Batchish suggested opening this dialogue with a meeting between representatives of the three faiths, to be held in the Holy Land. Church leaders raised a number of additional issues for discussion, including the possibility of inexpensive accommodations for pilgrims arriving in the country, holding various events with the help of the Tourism Ministry and other government bodies, assistance from the Tourism Ministry in easing visa regulations for pilgrims and for the possibility of mass tourism from Eastern Europe in 2000. During the meeting, it was agreed that the meetings between the Tourism Ministry and the Jerusalem Inter-Christian Committee would be held regularly, and that they would address preparations for the year 2000. It was also agreed that church representative would prepare lists of events they intend to hold in 2000, so that the Tourism Ministry and the Israel 2000 directorate, now being established, will be able to assist as required. Also present at the meeting were Ariel Kenet of the Foreign Ministry; Uri Mor of the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Eli Peleg, Deputy Director-General of the Tourism Ministry; and representatives from the Jerusalem Municipality and the Civil Administration.