Africans rule out boycott

Press, 20 September 1982, Page 1

Africans rule out boycott

NZPA-Keuter Lagos Dr Abraham Ordia, president of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa, has urged New Zealand to drop opposition to anti-apartheid measures due to be adopted by the Commonwealth Games Federation next month; Dr Ordia said. “I appeal to New Zealand to refrain from a situation whereby she may be forced to choose between

racist South Africa and the rest of Africa." Dr Ordia was commenting on .a statement by the NewZealand Commonwealth Games Association last week in which it said it opposed a proposed code of conduct to be discussed in Brisbane late this month and adopted early next month. African countries attending a Commonwealth meeting at the United Nations in New York have agreed not

to boycott the Games at Brisbane. According to diplomatic sources, Sir Shridath Ramphal, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, told the meeting that Commonwealth countries generally would ignore any New Zealand refusal to" abide by the proposed code of conduct. He is reported to have said that even if New Zealand did not accept the code, drawn up by 36 countries in May to

spell out how to deal with South Africa in sport, the Commonwealth Games at Brisbane were expected to be a great success. Dr Ordia said the London decision to adopt a code of conduct was a unanimous one and it was a surprise to find that New Zealand, which was present at the meeting, was now opposing it. The singer, Rolf Harris, will drop all references to Aboriginals when he sings his

famous hit. "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport,” at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, the Australian Associated Press reports from Brisbane. In the .original version written 20 years ago. one line says: “Let the Abos go loose. Lew — they're of no further use." That line had become an embarrassment in recent years. Harris said.