Communicated by Tourism Ministry Spokeswoman Jerusalem, 1 September 1998 2000 Celebrations Committee Established   A joint committee to handle the preparations for the year 2000 was established yesterday (Monday), 31.8.98, at a meeting between officials of the ministries of Tourism, Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs, the chairman of Israel 2000, Shlomo Ilya, and senior officials of the Catholic Church. The committee, which will include members from the Ministry of Tourism, Israel 2000 and the Catholic Church, is the result of ongoing efforts to increase cooperation and dialogue between the government and officials from Christian churches, in advance of the expected arrival of large numbers of pilgrims to Israel in 2000. At the meeting, Tourism Ministry Director-General Shabtai Shai reviewed the ministry's preparations, infrastructure development and marketing plans, and Mr. Ilya outlined Israel 2000's activities. Apostolic Delegate Archbishop Pietro Sambi said that the Catholic Church has established a special committee, comprised of delegates from all Catholic orders, to handle preparations. The committee will be headed by Reyereno Father Robert Fortin of St. Peter in Galicantu Church, who will also be the Vatican's representative on the joint committee. It was also agreed to hold working meetings next week to discuss planning and staging of events by the Catholic Church, Church preparations for receiving pilgrims and other issues.