PARIS: Jean-Louis Tauran, the French Monsignor who is the Vatican’s foreign minister, is proposing the creation, under the patronage of Pope John Paul II, of a joint Israeli-Palestinian commission that would oversee the surrender of Palestinians presently inside the Basilica of the Nativity, this as the best way of settling the standoff at the Basilica, now well into its second week.

The commission, according to a plan outlined by Monsignor Tauran, would receive, if the two parties express the desire, the support of Pope John Paul II, who, says Monsignor Tauran, is informed on a daily basis of the situation at the Basilica and “is ready and willing,” he says, “to place his moral authority at the disposal of the joint commission. “

Tauran says that the situation of the Basilica is a “grave problem,” not only physically and spiritually, but also historically.

“Can you imagine,” he says, “that the Basilica has never been occupied for so long by armed gunmen, and our records go back to the occupation of the Holy Land by the Ottomans. Then too, we mustn’t forget that we’re talking about a part of the world that is considered holy by three of the world’s major religions. We just can’t let the matter stagnate for much longer.”

Then too there is the humanitarian aspect of the problem, he notes. As matters now stand, Tsahal has encircled the edifice since April 1, effectively cutting it off from the outside world. “We do have more than 200 Palestinians in the Basilica, and another 50 Franciscan priests. And food and water are quickly running out.”

It’s a situation, notes Taurant, “in contradiction with the bilateral treaties signed by the Vatican which requires Israel to respect the Basilica and the other holy places.”

As for news reports according to which snipers have repeatedly shot into the building, ostensibly in hopes of hitting some of the Palestinians who remain inside, Taurant says that according to his information there is no truth to the story.

Tauran proposes a joint Israeli-Palestinian commission be created under the patronage of Pope John Paul II and the Vatican, and that the commission negotiate the surrender of the persons presently located within the Basilica.

“As you know,” Tauran says, “the Holy See has gained a certain credibility for having refused to side with either party in the conflict.”