Government urged to consult over Zimbabwe cricket tour

The National Party says the Government should consult with it over any moves to ban the Zimbabwean cricket team from New Zealand.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff last night said the Zimbabwean cricket team, which was planning to tour New Zealand in December would not be welcome here because of gross human rights abuses occurring in the country.

Mr Goff was yet to discuss with his cabinet colleagues whether the Government should withhold the team's visas, but would do so next week.

However National sports spokesman Murray McCully today told NZPA the Government was jumping the gun.

Mr McCully said National would not be bound by the Government's decision if it won the election.

If Mr Goff wanted to ensure a consistent position on the issue, he would need to consult with National before making a decision.

National MPs were yet to discuss the issue, but the party acknowledged that the political situation in Zimbabwe was a deep concern.

"To deny sports people a visa to enter New Zealand is a very serious step, but equally the situation in Zimbabwe is very serious too. The Government should see if there is room for a bi-partisan approach before they head off down that path."

National MPs would probably discuss the issue next week.

Greens co-leader Rod Donald today urged National to give its support to a ban, so Mugabe "gets a clear message that our whole country opposes the atrocities his odious regime is committing against his own people".

Mr Donald said he was still disappointed the Government was taking no action to halt the New Zealand cricket tour of Zimbabwe in August.

He said the least the Government could do was send a letter to the International Cricket Council, which was meeting in London this week, urging it to suspend Zimbabwe from international cricket.

Mr Goff yesterday defended the Government's stance on New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) decision to go ahead with the August tour of Zimbabwe.

The Government had no legal means of stopping the New Zealand cricket team going to Zimbabwe and would not breach the rights of New Zealanders to leave the country if they wanted to.

But it was a different story for the Zimbabwean team coming here.

"Given the current appalling abuses of human rights and relentless trend of the Zimbabwe government towards dictatorship, the New Zealand Government would not welcome a visit from a side representing Zimbabwe at this time," he said.

The imposition of a ban on the Zimbabwean team would send a strong message to the regime of ruler Robert Mugabe that New Zealanders and the Government abhorred its actions against its people, he said.

NZC yesterday said players had unanimously agreed to embark on the five-week tour to Zimbabwe in August after an independent security report gave the all clear.

NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said the team would be liable for a fine of more than US$2 million ($2.82 million) for unjustified cancellation under International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations.

- NZPA