Government cannot stop cricket tour of Zimbabwe, says Goff

Phil Goff

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff is defending the Government's stance on New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) decision to go ahead with a tour of Zimbabwe.

The Government had no legal means and would not try to exercise any means through the law to physically prevent New Zealanders from leaving this country, he said today.

"That is a fundamental right of all New Zealanders. We're not about to abrogate that," Mr Goff told National Radio.

"We're not in a position to stop the team going at all."

Nevertheless, the Government would prefer the tour not take place "because of the appalling things that the (President Robert) Mugabe regime is doing to its own people".

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.

Mr Goff said Green Party co-leader Rod Donald had suggested to him that the Government could pay the $2.8 million fine.

"I don't think New Zealand taxpayers would appreciate $2.8 million being paid to the International Cricket Council when there are other pressing needs," he said.

Mr Donald had also said the Government could stop the team going.

"Well you can't stop them going. Only a dictatorial, autocratic regime can stop New Zealanders from leaving their own country," Mr Goff said.

"That's exactly what we're protesting about in terms of what Mugabe is doing."

Mr Goff said he did not think this country had any problems with its image abroad in relation to Zimbabwe.

"We have, more consistently, I think, than any other country, perhaps with the exception of the United Kingdom, totally condemned the Zimbabwe regime. We have sanctions against Mugabe and his henchmen, I guess symbolic, they're not about to come to New Zealand, they wouldn't be welcome here. They can't come here."

He had done what he could with NZC.

"I've written to Martin Snedden. I've pointed out the human rights abuses that concern the Government and New Zealanders. I've pointed out what has happened in the past. For example, last year the English cricket team took steps to ensure that they would not be required to shake hands or meet with Robert Mugabe," he said.

"I've indicated how they did that and suggested to New Zealand Cricket that they do the same. They've apparently picked up that suggestion."

Asked what he would do if he were New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming, he said that if he did not have contractual obligations, he would opt out of touring Zimbabwe.

New Zealand Cricket Players' Association executive director Heath Mills said the players were "very sympathetic" to the situation in Zimbabwe.

"Like all New Zealanders they are concerned with what they see going on there, the pictures that we see on the news etc," he said.

"However, I think the players recognise that they are part of an international cricketing community and that if we wish to remain so we have obligations to fulfil, and one of those is touring Zimbabwe."

Players had not been asked directly whether they would prefer not to go if it were not for the international obligations.

NZC was contracted to the ICC and the players were contracted to NZC.

"When they sign those contracts they have obligations to fulfil in terms of a touring programme for the next 12 months and they are cricketers, that's how they earn their money, so they will be going on this tour," Mr Mills said.

He confirmed the Government had said it would prefer players in the team to not have any contact with Mr Mugabe or his representatives.

"The players are keen, they respect that," he said.

Other touring in recent years had ensured they did not meet with any political representatives while on tour and NZC had given players that assurance.

- NZPA