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TIME: Almanac 1993
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TIME Almanac 1993.iso
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1992-08-28
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WORLD, Page 61World NotesIVORY COASTA Monumental Dispute
When Pope John Paul II concludes his 10-day tour of Africa
this week with a stop in the Ivory Coast to visit the Basilica
of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, he will be consecrating
the biggest church on the African continent. But critics of the
structure, which cost more than $200 million, charge that the
Pope will also be giving his blessing to the monumental
extravagance of Ivorian President Felix Houphouet-Boigny. In
response to questions about where the funds came from, the
President insists that he used his own fortune to finance the
basilica.
Embarrassed Catholic leaders have tried to stress the
basilica's importance as a bulwark of Christianity. But others
say Houphouet-Boigny has more earthly aims: to use the Pope's
visit to clinch a seventh successive five-year term in the
upcoming presidential elections.