Plan unchanged

Press, 18 March 1982, Page 2

Plan unchanged

NZPA London A call by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Cooper) for a special meeting of the Commonwealth Games Federation has not impressed, the federation's chairman, Sir Alexander Ross. Mr Cooper said on Tuesday, after talks in Canberra which included Sir Edward Williams, chairman of the Brisbane Games .Foundation, that a special meeting of the federation should: be held to “clear the air” over African boycott threats.' African countries have also been pushing for a special meeting of the 56member federation, some of them saying that they want New Zealand to be banned ■from the Games because of last year's Springbok tour. Sir Alexander said last October, and repeated on Tuesday, that there was no plan to call the federation together earlier than its

scheduled meeting in Bris : bane in September.

“I find it difficult to imagine asking the 56 nations of the Commonwealth to a meeting just to tails this over,” he said. "I question how many would come. Some could just not afford/to.” who is a New Zealander, said that the federation had no legal power to keep New Zealand a wag from the Games. . Although there Were no developments on the question of aj special meeting, there was’“quite a bit going on at the moment,” he said. He would not elaborate on be-hind-the-scenes activity, saying that it was “best to keep a low profile.” He questioned the value of any special meeting. Sir Alexander- said, “I do not go along with Sir Edward because I cannot see a lot of point;in a meeting”