Clinton Moves On To Botswana

President Clinton arrived in Botswana on Sunday after encouraging the people of neighboring South Africa to keep faith as they mend their nation from the scars of apartheid.

"It takes a long time to run a marathon," he said.

Earlier on Sunday the Clintons, accompanied by Jesse Jackson, attended services at the Regina Mundi Catholic church in the South African black township of Soweto. There were rousing cheers from the congregation, and the organist played "America the Beautiful."

"For you to come here you bring us joy and happiness and peace," a female church leader, speaking Zulu, told the president and his party.

The church was Clinton's last stop in South Africa on a three-day state visit. Then he flew to Gaborone, the Botswanan capital, to meet with Masire and then fly to a northern game park for a two-day safari. Before leaving Soweto the president videotaped remarks for a memorial service for the children and teacher slain in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

"Like all of you, I do not understand what dark force could have driven young people to do this terrible thing," Clinton said. "As president I have seen many children killed by political fanatics, but in some ways this is even harder to grasp. For now, all we can do is to pray for peace and healing for their families, and for Jonesboro."

At church in Soweto, the president and first lady took their seats at the end of the pew in the third row. During apartheid the church was a refuge for black activists, and according to locals it was the only place where Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu could say mass. There were stirring hymns, some of them by children.

The church's pastor, Father Mohlomi Makobane, spoke of the purpose for Clinton's visit to Africa.

"We are mindful of the mission of the United States in Africa, a mission based on socio-economic and political relations with Africa," the pastor said.

The congregation rose in a standing ovation as Clinton walked to the altar to speak.

Clinton recalled the triumph of the first South African ever to win a gold medal in the Olympics, Josiah Tungwane, in the marathon, and he compared it to South Africa's struggle against a government system of white supremacy.

"Your fight for freedom was a marathon, not a sprint," Clinton said. "People who train for the marathon say when you get almost to the end ... the pain is so great many people quit, and you have to keep working to go through to the end. It takes a long time to run a marathon."

He said the Unitd States would "run that race with you."

By SONYA ROSS ©1998 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed