THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS OP-ED Delta rept' acations Fears Reprisals Continued from Page 4 But as the conversation continued, it became clear that that was the given rea- son, not the real reason. After all, the Vatican has diplomatic ties with some 112 countries, many of which are involved in belligerency, civil wars and border dis- putes — Ethiopia, Sudan, Angola, Nicaragua, among others. And those relations are sustained even though the Vatican does not approve of many of their ideological policies. The real reason, it seems quite clear, is that the Vati- can profoundly fears that should she move from de facto recognition of Israel that Arab-Muslim fanatics in the Middle East and in Af- rica will launch a wave of reprisals against millions of Arab Christians and African Christians in predominantly Islamic countires. Over and over, Vatican authorities Italy is engaged in a geopolitical trapeze act in the Middle East, being supportive of Israel while cultivating her economic and political ties with the Arab world. kept referring to the precari- ous plight of Catholics in Lebanon who suffer daily violence at the hands of fanatic Shiite and Sunni Muslims, and the virtual im- potence of the Vatican in helping to protect them. (Christian groups have recip- rocated violently as well.) The Holy See officials also described in painful detail for us the horror stories of more than a half million Christians who were killed in the south of the Sudan by the northern Arab Muslims, and the half million Chris- tians killed by the Muslim leader Idi Amin when he was president of Uganda. So great is this preoccupa- tion over the threat of Is- lamic fanaticism to the secu- rity of Christians that Pope John Paul II in a recent ad- dress to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See berated those Muslim coun- tries whose citizens have come to Europe in the mil- lions and have been assured religious liberty while Mus- lim countries have denied those same human rights to Ji W1 Ws "se . AC' CS ill '1,1 Mr is rs "s Christians living in their midst. Thus, it is far more the fear of Muslim reprisals than antipathy toward Israel that has thus far precluded de jure diplomatic ties between the Holy See and Israel. There are, of course, con- tested issues between the Holy See and Israel — the status of Jerusalem, Palesti- nian self-determination, and holy sites. But those are negotiable issues whereas fear of Islamic reprisals are not subject to rational com- promises. Finally, recent conversa- tions have convinced me that Italian foreign policy play_s_a • far greater influence in Vati- can affairs- than is generally recognized. In recent years, Italy has been trying ur- gently to emerge as one of "the big five" European pow- ers on 'the international scene. As the one truly Mediter- ranean nation in the Euro- pean Community, Italy is now heavily engaged in commercial and trade rela- tions with Arab countries. Italy is dependent for 85 per- cent of her • oil supplies on Arab nations. The present Italian government is jockey- ing to win nearly $1 billion worth of contracts from Egypt for building that coun- try's first nuclear power sta- tion and the second stage of Cairo's metro system. And some 20,000 Italian workers are now serving in Libya. Libya's Central Bank owns 17 percent of Fiat, and Italy exports large amounts of arms to Arab countries, in- cluding Libya despite her role in exporting terrorism. Italy has a troubled economy — continuing high inflation (12-13 percent), high unemployment (10 per- cent), and a massive state budget deficit on the order of 17 percent of. the country's gross domestic product. (The U.S. federal budget deficit amounts to about 4 percent of the GDP.) That economic pressure has led the Italian govern- ment to become increasingly dependent on Arab nations for economic relief. Those obdurate survival needs have influenced a pro-Arab, pro- PLO tilt in Italian foreign policy far more than some ideological vision. At the same time, Italy has been friendly toward Is- rael. Prime Minister An- dreotti told us, "One point is firm for us — Israel's right Friday, August 30, 1985 33 Orlando Nassau/Paradise Island/ Cable Beach (home of IPCOT Canter/ Walt Disney World) $3 49 from from Including round-trip air fare, hotel Includes your round-trip air fare and and an Alamo Chevy Chevette, or similar hotel. Also airport transfers and cata- car, for 3 or 7 days with free mileaget. maran cruise or admission to night club Also free one-day admission to Sea World. shows with 2-drink minimum. Quality inn Plaza 4 days, 3 nights from $329 Sheraton British Colonial Radluon Inn Maingate 4 days, 3 nights from $349 Paradise Island Resort & Holiday Inn 4 days, 3 nIghb from $349 Cable Beach Hotel W'yndhan Hotel at 4 days, 3 nights from $399 Similar hotels may be substituted. Midweek travel only Weekends slightly higher. 8 days, 7 nights from $379 8 days, 7 nights from $449 Intonational Drib 8 days, 7 nlets from $449 &sabot! 8 days, 7 nights from $549 4 days, 3 nights from $349 Hotel (Nassau) 8 days, 7 nights from $449 4 days, 3 nights from $449 8 days, 7 nights from $649 Casino, Paradise Tower a Wyndham Resort 4 days, 3 nights from $449 , 8 days, 7 nights from $849 Similar hotels maybe substituted. Mon,Thes, Wed. or Thurs. departure; return any day except Sun. Other cloys slightly highet Ft.Lauderdale For full details and reservations, see your professional Travel Agent, or call Delta's Vacation Center toll free at 800- 523-7777. All Dream Vacation tour rates from shown are from Detroit and are subject Including round-trip air fare, hotel and to change without notice. an Alamo Chevy Chevette, or similar car, for 3 or 7 days, with free mileaget. Plus free breakfast for children under 12 who are accompanied by 2 paying adults, at participating hotels. Alamo features fine Sheraton Yankee Bader Bahia Mw ' General Motors cam like the Chevy Chevette. 4 days, 3 nights from $329 8 deYs, 7 flights from $399 4 days, 3 W eft 3379 8 days , 7 n ights from $449 4 days, 3 nights from $379 - Sharabsa %Mu CHOW Mardott Harbor Beach Hotel days, 7 nights from $629 Slmilw hotels may be substituted. Mon, lUes., Wed. callous. depertwe; return any day except Sun.011wr days slightly Mew Rates ant per person, double occupancy. Seats and accommodations are subject to availability. Make reservations at least 7 days in advance. Add taxes and gratuities. Prices shown are available during certain limited travel periods; they can vary and may be higher depending upon the actual date, day of travel and hotel selected. Certain charges and fees cannot be assessed immediately, but can only be collected on checkout or departure. tGas, taxes, rental deposit and optional Collision Damage Waiver are extra. 01985 Delta Air Lines, Inc. Continued on next page • ■ ••• 4 - 41• ea IV. Vi..•••4,21 :IL 1.1". CO, ,116, ft.ft ft ft ft ra,•