Pope Intervenes In Dispute

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30213, 19 August 1963, Page 11

Pope Intervenes In Dispute

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) VATICAN CITY, August 17. Pope Paul has appealed to President Ngo Dinh Diem to seek internal peace and understanding in Vietnam, well-informed Vatican quarters said tonight.

Buddhists have alleged the Roman Catholic-led Government is discriminating against Buddhists, five of whom have burned themselves to death in protest The Pope is understood to have made his intervention about a week ago through diplomatic channels. Vatican airales regard intervention as delicate, but they do not discount • surmise that Pope Paul may take further action privately. Sources close to the Ceylonese Government said that Ceylon was considering calling a conference of heads of Buddhist countries to discuss South Vietnam. The Prime Minister of Ceylon, Mrs Bandaranaike. has told high priests and Buddhist leadens her Government wee deeply concerned over the persecution of Buddhists in South Vietnam.

She intended to continue informal talks with Buddhist representatives to get as wide a sounding of opinion aa possible. Tbs Nation*! Buddhist Force, one of the biggest Buddhist organisations in Ceylon, has decided to appeal to President Teem atty to stop assisting ths South Vietnam regime with money, guns, and men “to persecute Buddhists in that country." Yesterday, the organisation cabled Pope Paul saying his spiritual subject “is persecuting our innocent Buddhist brethren,” and urged him to intervene. Ceylon’s chief United Nations representative, Mr R. S. Gunewardene, is reported to be canvassing Ceylon's pro* posai to hold a special session of the General Assembly to discuss tbs religious dispute.