Call off Black Caps Zimbabwe tour - PM

The Press

DON'T DO IT: Prime Minister Helen Clark has called for the Black Caps to cancel their tour of Zimbabwe next July, following the country's presidential elections, which she labelled 'a farce'.

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Prime Minister Helen Clark has called for the Black Caps to cancel their tour of Zimbabwe next July.
Blog: Let’s show some balls on Zimbabwe

The African country's presidential elections were "a farce" and "a tragedy", she said.

President Robert Mugabe has been sworn in after being declared the winner of an election in which he was the only candidate.

"Obviously we would prefer the Black Caps not play in Zimbabwe," Miss Clark said.

Zimbabwe is expected to be discussed at the International Cricket Council's annual conference in Dubai this week.

A New Zealand Cricket spokesman would not comment on Miss Clark's comments.

Reuters has reported that African heads of state are likely to press Mr Mugabe to enter talks with Mr Tsvangirai to end the political crisis.

The African Union was to meet in Egypt overnight New Zealand time.

Miss Clark said all eyes would be on the summit to see if those leaders would make it clear to Mr Mugabe that they regarded what had happened as "a blemish on Africa's reputation and standing" and look for the opposition to be able to take part in the government of Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, the Greens are calling on the Government to back Britain in getting Zimbabwe kicked out of the World Twenty20 tournament next year which would also mean cancelling the Black Caps tour of Zimbabwe next July.

The British government has said it is opposed to Zimbabwe's cricket team touring England next summer and participating in the Twenty20 World Cup which is also being held in England.

Three years ago the Government denied Zimbabwean cricketers entry into New Zealand and also expressed its disapproval of the Black Caps touring Zimbabwe but did not ban the New Zealand cricketers from going.

At the time, the Green Party tried but failed in a bid to get cross-party support for legislation banning sporting contacts with Zimbabwe.

Such a move was needed so New Zealand Cricket could scrap the tour without incurring multi-million dollar penalties as part of its International Cricket Council touring agreement.

Miss Clark told reporters that it had been difficult to get support other than from Britain and Australia for banning cricket tours so she was a "little bit pessimistic" about getting tours cancelled.

". . . but certainly we'd be encouraging New Zealand Cricket to see if there was now potential to take the matter further," she said.

The ICC had not in the past considered the circumstances in Zimbabwe warranted cancellation of tours.

"So the question would be whether the ground has changed sufficiently at the ICC. That would have to be explored. Obviously we would prefer that the Black Caps not play in Zimbabwe, we made that clear last time."

The ICC will on Wednesday discuss the issue of expelling Zimbabwe, a move Zimbabwe Cricket has urged it not to take.

- Dominion Post, NZPA