Egypt's Pope says state must address Copts woes

Coptic Pope Shenouda III has called on the Egyptian government to address Christian grievances about discrimination and urged his flock to quell violent rioting over a New Year's Day church bombing.

Coptic Pope Shenouda III has called on the Egyptian government to address Christian grievances about discrimination.

CAIRO // In rare criticism, the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church has called on the government to address Christian grievances about discrimination - and urged his flock to quell violent rioting over a New Year's Day church bombing in Alexandria that killed 21.

Investigators said yesterday that they were focusing on unidentified remains from the bombing that may be linked to the attacker, a security official said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the worst on Egyptian Christians in a decade, but security officials now say police are looking at homegrown Islamic extremists, perhaps inspired by al Qa'eda.

The interview yesterday with Coptic Pope Shenouda III on state television came as hundreds of predominantly Christian protesters clashed with riot police in northern Cairo in late-night protests over government policies.

The 87-year-old church leader appealed to the government to address Christian complaints, especially of laws restricting freedom of worship.

"The state also has a duty. It must see to the problems of the Copts and try to resolve them," Shenouda said. "If there are laws that is an unjust to some, the state should correct many laws.

The pope said the unprecedented attack on the Saints Church in Alexandria had "caused panic" among Muslims and Christians, but he appealed for calm among his flock and warned that political activists might use protests to push their anti-government agenda.

"Problems are solved with calm and communication, not with anger and emotions," he said, while acknowledging that the tensions were fed by the Christian community's long-standing grievances.

"There are laws that are painful to some, and despite our commitment to the laws, the pain is still here, and this needs to be addressed," he said, while counseling patience to Christians.

The bombing touched off three days of protests involving clashes with both security forces and Muslim passers-by in the area around the church in Alexandria.