Harsh regimes among N.Z.’s critics

Press, 21 July 1976, Page 16

Harsh regimes among N.Z.’s critics

Bv a staff writer

At least 14 countries have ordered their sports teams to withdraw from the Olympic Games because New Zealand is competing and a New Zealand rugby team is touring South Africa.

A dozen more countries did not join the official opening ceremony and may withdraw’ from the Games. The withdrawals are part of a concerted effort by many States to express disapproval of the oppressive white minority Government in South Africa. But the list of the States which have chosen to make their attitude to the Olympic Games part of their foreign policy reads like a ‘‘who’s who” of some of the most repressive governments outside the Communist world. The States which have ordered their teams to withdraw are: Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. All except Guyana are in Africa. Eight are members of the Commonwealth. Eight of these countries have military governments which have been established by the overthrow of civilian rule in the last few years. Three others — Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia — have civilian governments which allow only one political party to operate. Egypt’s Government depends on its armed forces and was originally established by an army coup. Only Guyana still permits a limited form of democracy to its people.

Details of the 14 countrie. are:

Chad — A former French colony in central Africa. Independent in 1960. Population 4 million. Civil war against dissident northern tribes has continued for some years. President assassinated in an army coup d’etat in April, 1975. Now under military rule.

Cameroun. —A former German colony in central Africa; later divided between France and Britain. Independent in 1960. Population 6 million. Congo. — Nr the former Belgian Congo (now Zaire), but an adjoining territory which was once the F’ench Central African colony of Middle Congo. Indep J “”t from 1960. Population 1.3 million. The army dissolved the Government in 1963 after riots. After heavy faction fighting in 1968 the army took over the Government completely. A new constitution for a one-party “people’s republic” was promulgated in 1973, but army officers continue to hold the highest Government posts. Ethiopia — An ancient Christian kingdom in northeast Africa. The repressive monarchy was overthrown by the armed forces in 1974 and many supporters of the old regime were executed or imprisoned. Ethiopia has a border dispute with its neighbour, Somalia, and a civil war with a separatist movement in the coastal strip of Eritrea which has a predominantly Moslem population. Population about 26 million. Ghana. — The former British colonv of the Gold

Coast in West Africa. Independent in 1957. Army rule between 1966 and 1969. Second army coup in 1972 installed Colonel Acheampong as head of State. Still under military rule. All political activity is prohibited. Colonel Acheampong is also Minister of Sport. Population 8.5 million.

Guyana. — The former British colony of Guiana in north-east South America. Independent 1966. Political parties allowed to operate under State supervision. Population 800,000. Kenya — A former British colony in East Africa. Independent in 1963. Now a oneparty State, but with more .freedom for internal political debate than in many African countries. Kenya has a border dispute with Somalia and tension exists with its neighbour Uganda. Population about 11 million.

Niger. — Former French colony in west Africa. Independent in 1960. Population 4.5 million. Military Government established by a coup in 1974. All political activity suppressed. Nigeria — A former British colony in West Africa. Population about 60 million, the largest in Africa. Independent since 1966. Civilian Cabinet murdered in a military coup in 1966. Coup suppressed by loyal troops which took over the Government. The eastern province of Biafra seceded in May, 1967. About 2 million people are believed to have died in

the civil war which followed before the central Government reasserted its authority in January, 1970. Still under military government. Political activity is banned. The Government of one group of army officers was overthrown by another group in July, 1975. An attempt at yet another military coup failed in February this year.

Swaziland. — A former British colony between South Africa and Mozambique. Independent in 1968. Population about 400,000. Democratic government suspended by King Sohuza II in 1973.

Tanzania — The former British territories of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in East Africa. Independent from 1961. Zanzibar was the scene of a vicious massacre in 1964 when the black majority attacked their traditional Arab rulers. Tanzania is now a one-party State, but considerable political activity is permitted within the ruling T.A.N.U. party. Population 11 million.

Togo. — Former French colony in west Africa. Independent in 1960. Population about 2 million. President Olympio murdered in a military coup in 1963. His brother-in-law became President, but was forced out by the army in 1967. Now ruled by an army council. All political activity suppressed. Uganda.—A former British colony in east Africa. Independent in 1962. Population 11 million. Civilian Government overthrown by the army

in 1971. Since then the Asian community of about 50,000 has been driven out. A report by the International Commission of Jurists in 1974 estimated that the number of arbitrary’ executions by General Amin’s regime was in excess of 25,000. A recent attempt on Amin’s life provided an excuse for a new round of arrests and executions. Zambia — The former British colony of Northern Rhodesia. Independent since

1964. Population 4.5 million. A one-party State since 1972. Some political activity is permitted, but many Opposition politicians have been gaoled. Thirteen other countries did not participate in the Games opening ceremony and some are almost cer tainly withdrawing. Ten of them" have military governments. Only one, the tiny West African country of Gambia, allows democratic political activity.