African boycott ‘not deserved’

Press, 27 July 1989, Page 16

African boycott ‘not deserved’

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington

Foreign Ministers from three African countries will visit New Zealand soon, as part of the effort to ensure the Auckland Commonwealth Games are not boycotted. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Marshall, told Parliament that New Zealand had to remind Africa that it did not deserve a boycott.

Mr Marshall said he would like the British Government to be more forthcoming in persuading the rugby unions of England, Wales and Scotland not to pass on to players invitations to visit South Africa.

The invitations, to play in matches marking a centenary of rugby in South Africa, have prompted Commonwealth

Games boycott warnings by African countries. New Zealand’s consistent anti-apartheid stand had been noted and welcomed by the Organisation of African Unity, said Mr Marshall.

But the threat of boycotting Auckland remained.

For this reason, the Foreign Ministers of Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Zambia will visit New Zealand next month. The Nigerian Minister, Mr Ike Nuakchukwu, will arrive first, to be followed by Zimbabwe’s Mr Nathan Shamuyarira and Mr Luke Bwananskihu, of Zambia. Mr Marshall said he hoped to work- with Canada which will host the 1994 Commonwealth Games, to ensure both Games were not marred by the selfishness of the British rugby unions.