Lusaka — If something is good expect a lot of opposition to it, President Frederick Chiluba said in justifying calls for his third term yesterday.

Addressing some unknown church leaders from the Copperbelt who were organised to travel to Lusaka by State House to come and support his continued rule, President Chiluba said the current debate on his third term bid was health for democracy.

He said to stop the debate would be undemocratic. "After talk decisions are made in the name of our God," President Chiluba said. "Such decisions are covenants with God who cannot break them." In what appeared to be a response to last week's Oasis Forum that resolved to oppose his third term bid, President Chiluba said it was dangerous for the Church to be meeting and making decisions with non believers.

"It is okay for the clergy to meet and talk within the church," President Chiluba said. "I am very grateful to you brethren who have come here to encourage me on this matter." President Chiluba also announced that 17 chiefs from Eastern Province were earlier at State House to ask him to continue in leadership.

He claimed that the chiefs had said that they could not leave it to the politicians and Church in supporting his leadership. A pastor Gumbo said President Chiluba was anointed by God and assured him that the clergy would be with him until he went for a third term.

"Men of God are here to support and assure you of their support," pastor Gumbo said. "It is God's will that President Chiluba was brought into power in 1991." Another clergy of the Gospel International Ministries, a Sakala, advised the Christians to participate in politics.

"Some clergy are campaigning against your third term but we feel the Constitution can be changed to enable you fulfil God's wish," said Sakala.