Word: za
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...sounded like something out of Stalin's Russia or Communist China: a head of government threatening to shut down Roman Catholic churches in his nation. But that warning comes this month from Zaïre's President Mobutu Sese Seko, a baptized Catholic whose nation has the largest Christian population in Africa. Mobutu says he will close any church whose priest does not stick to spiritual matters and keep silent on public issues, and there is little reason to doubt that he means it. His words follow some very specific works...
Since Mobutu decreed his African "authenticity" campaign three years ago, Zaïre's Christians have suffered increasingly harsh restrictions. The government not only banned all religious youth organizations but even church periodicals and radio programs-a severe handicap in a nation with the travel and communications problems of far-flung Zaïre. The government plans to shut down the three important seminaries at the national university in Kinshasa at the end of the school year. It has also seized control of elementary and secondary schools-most of which are church-run-and prohibited them from teaching religion...
...Daddy last much longer? He travels only under heavy guard, mostly of trusted mercenaries from Sudan and Zaïre. Moreover, given the murderous anarchy that exists in Uganda today, there is-and can be-no immediately obvious heir. With Amin slated to become president of the 42-member Organization of African Unity in June, his neighbors are growing fidgety at the prospect. At least five African heads of state have quietly let it be known that they would support a coup against Amin, and at least three others that they are not at all opposed to the idea...
...arena day and night for three months, replacing the seats, installing lavatories and building new dressing rooms. Much of the effort aimed at impressing foreigners will go for naught. Few Americans or Europeans were willing to pay the $2,500 tab that Schwartz originally put on flight-fight packages. Zaïre declined to deal with other tour promoters, and a number of airline charters were canceled. Still, Kinshasa is a prettier place for Mobutu's effort, and he has certainly succeeded in drawing international attention...
Anti-Foreman Fetishes. Fight sentiment in Zaïre strongly favors Ali, President Mobutu's friend, and the government-controlled press has been careful to censor such patronizing Ali comments as "We're gonna have a rumble in the jungle." Indeed, loyalty to Ali, America's best-known athlete abroad, is so intense that officials are concerned about Foreman's safety. Many Zairians are expected to carry anti-Foreman fetishes into the stadium. Their passions will hardly be reduced if Foreman floors Ali in the first few rounds...