No approach to N.Z. on Amin

Press, 26 February 1977, Page 20

No approach to N.Z. on Amin

j PA Wellington The New Zealand Government has not yet formally, been sounded out by the British Government on its reaction to the prospect that’ President Idi Amin will attend, the conference of Commonwealth heads of government! in London next June. Official sources made this clear when discussing a report that the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) would oppose President Amin’s attendance at the meeting. It is clear that Mr Muldoon believes President Amin’s presence would be an embarrass-1 ment to the meeting and! might cause disruption. He is expected to make this I plain to the British Prime Minister (Mr Callaghan) ifj asked for his views on the, subject.

r But it is unlikely, accordling to official sources, that -|Mr Muldoon will pubhclzistate opposition to President -JAmin’s presence - Officials in Wellington bet'lieve it is probable that the L subject of President Amin s ■ attendance at the meeting w ill : I be raised in talks between Mr Muldoon and Mr Callaghan i before the June meeting Within diplomatic ranks • there is considerable doubt I that President Amin will want ■ to attend the Commonwealth meeting, for against a backi ground of threatened coups in -lUganda President Amin is ■ known tn be extremely conI scious of the fact that he I overthrew the previous Presi- ; I dent of Uganda, Dr Milton ■Obote, while Dr Obote was ’jat a conference of Common- ■ J wealth heads of government lat Singajxire in 1971.