Gleneagles 'allows solo S.A. visits’

Press, 7 July 1977, Page 5

Gleneagles 'allows solo S.A. visits’

NZPA Sydney. The Gleneagles Agreement reached by Commonwealth leaders on sports relationships with South Africa did not prohibit a country from issuing visas to some individual South African sportsmen, the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Malcolm Fraser) has said in a nationally televised interview in Australia.

Appearing on the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s “Monday Conference” programme, Mr Fraser said it was important to note that from the African point of view the important word was to “discourage” and not to “prohibit.” “You know', many African and Caribbean countries were earlier tending to demand the word ‘prohibit’,” he said. “The communique or document ended up with the word "discourage.’ “It was really around that that the agreement was reached.

“Now if somebody or a team is representing South Africa under our policy as it was, under out policy as it is, or they are coming representing South

Africa, they would not get a visa, and that to some extent is a firmer policy than one that some other countries pursue. “But if an individual is coming, that is no problem.” Mr Fraser was reminded by the interviewer, Robert Moore, that the statement referred to sports contracts “between their nationals and the nationals of countries practising apartheid.” Mr Fraser: “I know that. It also says sports contacts of significance. “I had long discussions with Prime Minister Manley (of Jamaica) about these particular matters. Our policy is understood. Our policy was not in question. Our policy was not under challenge, and it is not under challenge now. I have again described our policy and said our policy fits that particular document.” Moore: “So you read no significance into the word ‘Nationals’?”

Fraser: “You have got to look at sports contacts of significance, but you have also got to look at

the word ‘discourage’ When you use a visa power you are going way

beyond discouraging. You are prohibiting. And the policy in fact does not require prohibition.” Warren Beeby, a newspaper reporter who accompanied Mr Fraser on his overseas trip, said that within minutes of the Gleneagles Agreement being made public, the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr Muldoon) had also asserted that it fitted his country’s policy. “How can this be, and what prospect does that have of saving the Commonwealth Games next year?” he asked. Mr Fraser: “I believe the Commonwealth Games will take place. Pierre Trudeau (Prime Minister of Canada) believes they will take place and I believe most of the countries of Africa believe they will take place. “This was the general feeling of the meeting,” Mr Fraser said. "There was a general wish that those Edmonton Games would continue. I am here

to answer for Australia’s policy, but I think it is fair enough if you restrict me to that.”

Later in the 50-minute programme, Moore came back to the relationship with New Zealand when he ended by referring to the “alleged spat” between Messrs Muldoon and Fraser and asking Mr Fraser how he got on with Mr Muldoon. “I thought very well,” said Mr Fraser. Moore: “It wasn’t such a fierce battle as . . .?” Mr Fraser: “I don’t think so. No.”