Botswana Leader Calls Racism Unchristian : Pope Urged to Help Combat Apartheid

Pope John Paul II traveled Tuesday to what he called “an island of peace in a troubled sea” and heard one of black Africa’s few democratic leaders appeal for his aid in combatting apartheid.

“ Tula! “ the Pope shouted to a welcoming crowd that ranged from ululating Botswana matrons to prim English nuns bused in from nearby South Africa to bare-breasted native dancers directed by a black-robed missionary.

“ Tula! “ the crowd responded in the language of this Texas-size country of a million people.

Large diamond deposits discovered soon after independence from Britain in 1966 have fueled development and helped solidify one of black Africa’s handful of democracies. The country, which includes the fierce Kalahari Desert, is dominated economically by neighboring South Africa, but spurns apartheid.

‘Equality, Human Dignity’

Arriving from Zimbabwe on the fourth day of a 10-day African odyssey, John Paul applauded Botswana as “an island of peace in a troubled sea” whose people “believe in the basic equality and human dignity of every man and woman.”

In southern Africa, Botswana’s rancher-president Quett Masire told John Paul, “Racial intolerance threatens a conflagration from which there can be no winners.”

On several occasions in recent years, South African troops have raided inside Botswana against fighters of the African National Congress, and Botswana has protested.

Relations between the two countries were further strained recently when South African commandos were surprised while apparently planning a raid and three unarmed Botswana police officers were wounded.

Denouncing a system of strict racial segregation “as unchristian as it is evil,” Masire told the Pope apartheid means that “the oppressor and the oppressed are both victims.”

Seeks Speedy Reconciliation

“The church has succeeded in saving its flock from similar tyrannies in the past,” Masire said, adding that he hopes Vatican intervention could help produce “a speedy reconciliation” between the South African government and the black majority there.

John Paul made no direct reply, but in a subsequent address to priests and nuns he noted that many of them have “witnessed the plight of those who are subjected by law to discrimination.”

“I gladly support you in your desire to be close to those who are unjustly deprived of their legitimate rights and lack decent living conditions,” he said.

Last spring, a cardinal from the curia at the Vatican delivered messages from the Pope to the leaders of Angola, Mozambique and South Africa. Vatican officials stopped short of claiming any credit for a peace-seeking meeting Monday between the presidents of South Africa and Mozambique, but were clearly pleased by it.

No Mediation Role

“The Holy See does not seek any mediator’s role in the political affairs of the region, but wants to help promote a climate in which dialogue can be possible,” Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro said.

John Paul, whose dislike for apartheid is well known, attacked it anew in Zimbabwe as his current tour began, but has not addressed the issue directly since.

Vatican officials say the Pope walks a narrow line in publicly confronting apartheid. On the one hand, they say, he must keep faith with South Africa’s Catholics, 80% of whom are black. On the other, he does not wish to be responsible for provoking repression against them by a government that has invited him to visit South Africa.

The current trip, which continues today in Lesotho, is the Pope’s fourth to Africa.

It will be followed next year, Navarro announced Tuesday, by a fifth, to Tanzania, Madagascar and, possibly, Angola. South Africa is “absolutely not on the program,” Navarro said.