Dilemma over Games entry

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 15

Dilemma over Games entry

(N.Z.P-A.-Reuter—Copyright)

BONN, July 21. Key West German Government departments are reported to be in disagreement over whether Rhodesia should be allowed to take part in the Olympic Games in Munich next month.

Informed sources said that the view of the Interior Ministry was that West Germany should keep the pledge it made six years ago that no restrictions would be placed on the entry of any competitors if the Games were held in Munich. On the other hand, the Foreign Ministry, or leading officials in it, say that United Nations sanctions against Rhodesia should be applied in this case and that Rhodesian athletes should be barred. A Foreign Ministry spokesman says the matter is one for the Olympic committee. BRITISH OBJECTION Britain had made “informal objections” to the West German Government against Rhodesian athletes taking part in the Munich Olympic Games, a British Embassy spokesman said in Bonn. “Our point of view,” the British spokesman said, “is

: the general one based on a • United Nations resolution 1 that Rhodesia is not recog- : nised as an independent i country, and we did not I think it fitting that Rhodesia • should march under the I Union Jack, or any other Commonwealth flag.” ! The International Olym- • pics Committee decided last 1 September that Rhodesia ! should take part in the 1 Games under the flag of 1 Great Britain, and an invitation to Rhodesia, which has ■ always been a member of the ! 1.0. C., was sent in March, 1971. It is emphasised by the I West German organisers that - other African countries : which had originally objec- ! ted to Rhodesian’s taking : part had finally agreed, pro- • vided the team marched under the British flag and > i used the British national i I anthem.