‘Damaging’ Corso letter disclosed by P.M.

Press, 29 May 1981, Page 1

‘Damaging’ Corso letter disclosed by P.M.

PA Wellington A letter written by the national secretary of Corso to the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid, which the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) believes advocated action “damaging ; New Zealand’s name and "reputation,” was made public by Mr Muldoon yesterday.

Mr Muldoon said that Mr Toby Truell,' general secretary of Corso, wrote to Ambassador B. Akporode Clarke, of Nigeria, chairman of the United Nations committee, about the South African rugby tour of New Zealand.'

Mr Truell suggested ; .ih his letter, Mr Muldoon said, that there were a “couple of Achilles, heels, which might be effective' levers, especially ' in relation to , the current Prime Minister’s position. “One is the forthcoming Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ conference. Some official expression of possible boycott or exclusions to that conference might well be effective. “The other is the whole

future of New Zealand’s position and regard within the Commonwealth,” Mr Truell told Ambassador Clarke, according to Mr Muldoon,' The letter “advocated courses of action that would be damaging to New Zealand’s name and reputation,” Mr Muldoon said. “The public is entitled to know what this organisation. which describes itself as an aid organisation, in fact believes, and so I am releasing a copy of the letter publicly.”

Mr Muldoon said that apart from the actions suggested, the letter made reference to Corso’s funding of liberation movements. This statement was of some significance, he said. •

"The public is entitled to ask whether funds given for aid purposes have been diverted to arms or other supplies for liberation movements.”

In his letter, Mr Truell had said that Corso had a long history of support for the oppressed people of South Africa, and had

funded liberation movements and refugee programmes.

The Corso executive council had publicly declared, both its abhorrence of apartheid and its opposition to the tour, Mr Muldoon said. Corso had “urged Government intervention to prevent the tour taking place.” The Rugby Union, at' its annual meeting,, declared that the Springbok tour would go ahead, and the Prime Minister had now said that he was resigned to the tour proceeding, the letter added, Mr Muldoon said.

It went on: “As an 'almost last resort I write to you to urge you to do your utmost to prevent this tour taking place, and briefly append the major reasons as:

— "The moral issue of condoning apartheid by New Zealand’s welcoming an offical apartheid team in this country;

— “The divisive and racial effects it would undoubtedly have within New Zealand;

— “The immense damage to the Commonwealth that could ensue, bearing in mind that 15 African nations are Commonwealth member States; and

— “The erosion of the relationship between New Zealand and 50 member States of the Organisation for African Unity.” It is believed that Mr Muldoon received a copy of the letter through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ' :