1.
GV MONASTERY
0.05

2.
SV SIGN ETHIOPIAN CONVENT
0.08

3.
SV TROOPS INSPECTING DAMAGE (2 SHOTS)
0.24

4.
GV CLOCK ON WALL
0.27

5.
SV INT. WITH DEBRIS ON FLOOR (2 SHOTS)
0.40

6.
SV CROSS IN RUBBLE PAN ETHIOPIAN FLAG
0.45

7.
SV STONE COMMEMORATING JESUS BAPTISM
0.51

8.
SV SOLDIER POINT TO FOOTPRINTS (2 SHOTS)
1.02

9.
GV MILITARY GOVERNOR INSPECTING DAMAGE
1.07



Initials AJC/VS/AS/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: TWO EXPLOSIONS HAVE BADLY DAMAGED THE MONASTERY NEAR JERUSALEM WHERE, ACCORDING TO CHRISTIAN TRADITION, JESUS WAS BAPTISED BY JOHN THE BAPTIST. OFFICIALS CLAIMED IT WAS THE WORK OF ARAB GUERRILLAS.

THE EXPLOSIONS TOOK PLACE AT THE ETHIOPIAN MONASTERY AS KASR-AL-YAHUD ON THE JORDAN RIVER LAST THURSDAY. TWO HOLES WERE BLASTED IN THE WALLS OF THE MONASTERY CHAPEL, DAMAGING RELIGIOUS OBJECTS. ISRAELI TROOPS HELPED THE SIX MONKS TO CLEAN UP BEFORE THE MONASTERY WAS EVACUATED.

THE ETHIOPIAN CONSUL-GENERAL IN JERUSALEM SAID HE HAD REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO HIS GOVERNMENT FOR FURTHER ACTION. HE SAID ETHIOPIA MIGHT TAKES GRAVE VIEW BECAUSE THE MONASTERY CAME UNDER FIRE IN AUGUST.

THE CONSUL-GENERAL ALSO TOLD NEWSMEN THAT AFTER THE EXPLOSIONS SEVEN MEN WHO IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES AS ARAB GUERRILLAS ENTERED THE MONASTERY, APOLOGISED TO THE MONKS AND OFFERED TO HELP. APPARENTLY THEY BELONGED TO A DIFFERENT ORGANISATION THAN THOSE RESPONSIBLE.