South Africa backs Zimbabwe

BBC Africa service ^ | 30 December, 2002

[Clive]

South Africa, who are the main hosts of the tournament, have urged organisers to stage games in Zimbabwe, despite calls from the British and Australian governments for a change of venue.

"We will not support any move to shift matches from either Zimbabwe or Kenya," said South African sports minister Ngconde Balfour.

He added that his country "believe that the ICC should be supported by all 14 participating countries in its decision to go ahead with its World Cup programme".

An International Cricket Council (ICC) inspection has approved Zimbabwe as a venue for six of the 54 World Cup matches.

But the British and Australian governments are putting pressure on their cricketing bodies not to play in Zimbabwe because of the human rights record of its president, Robert Mugabe.

"It is of concern to note that undue pressure is now being put on cricket authorities in Australia and England to abandon their commitments in Zimbabwe," said Balfour.

"We cannot have a situation where cricket authorities are now being pressured to reverse a decision that could even jeopardise the staging of this global event in Africa."

South Africa's deputy foreign affairs minister, Aziz Pahad, also criticised the stance of the British and Australian governments.

"I think it is a bit sad that at such a late stage the Australians and the British have now raised the issue of not playing in Zimbabwe - politicians must not interfere," he said.

Pahad rejected comparisons with the sporting sanctions imposed on South Africa's apartheid government, whose fall paved the way for majority black rule.

"South Africa was the only country in the world categorised by the United Nations as a crime against humanity. The Zimbabwe cricket team is non-racial," said Pahad.

[Clive]

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[bigfootbob]

One of my families closest friend is a naturalized American from South Africa. I worry deeply for this beautiful country.

[Sparta]

Commies stick together.

[jimt]

Pahad rejected comparisons with the sporting sanctions imposed on South Africa's apartheid government, whose fall paved the way for majority black rule.

Some animals are more equal than others.

Ignorance is strength.

The depth of these clowns' hypocrisy is disgusting.

[per loin]

Bush has delayed his visit, but he will soon be over there giving our tax dollars to these worthless bozos. Aren't you glad you didn't vote a liberal into office?

[Texas_Jarhead]

"South Africa was the only country in the world categorised by the United Nations as a crime against humanity. The Zimbabwe cricket team is non-racial," said Pahad.

If true, I did not know that. Seems a bit absurd to me however. Me thinks Mugabe and Zimbabwe are giving it their all to be number two.

[BIGZ]

Nothing changes, So. Africa, Zimbabwe, All of Africa for that matter, Compton, Washington DC School Dist., etc. What do all these entities have in common?