PALESTINIANS WORK ON NEW FLOOR TILES ON MANGER SQUARE IN BETHLEHEM, 1998-12-12 (photo)

Palestinian construction workers prepare Manger Square in front of the Church of Nativity (behind) where a large poster of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and U.S. President Bill Clinton are posted amidst a Palestinian and American flag December 12. Clinton is scheduled to visit the holy city, the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ next Tuesday. Manger Square and the roads leading to the square are currently undergoing extensive reconstruction under a multi-million dollar plan called "Bethlehem 2000" to make the city ready to accommodate the expected huge influx of tourists for the millennium. Closer at hand is the expected visit by U.S. President Bill Clinton on Tuesday. RH/NS/