Against Apartheid in Sports: Actions taken by governments concerning sporting contacts with South Africa

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Alternative title Notes and Documents - United Nations Centre Against ApartheidNo. 3/76 Author/Creator United Nations Centre against Apartheid Publisher United Nations, New York Date 1976-01-00 Resource type Reports Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) South Africa Coverage (temporal) 1968 - 1976 Source Northwestern University Libraries Description "This paper is intended to provide a summary of actions taken by Governments in accordance with the requests of the General Assembly to terminate contacts with racially selected sports teams from South Africa. It is based on information provided by Governments in communications to the Secretary-General or the Special Committee against Apartheid; statements in the General Assembly or the Special Political Committee; and other available information." Format extent 28 page(s) (length/size)

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http://www.aluka.org NOTES AND DOCUMENTS*

NOTES AND DOCUMENTS* AGAINST APARTHEID January 1976 IN SPORTS Actions taken by governments concerning sporting contacts with South Africa 3/76 7T-03127 * All material in these notes and documents may be freely reprinted. Acknowledgement, together with a copy of the publication containing the reprint, would be appreciated.

Introduction This paper is intended to provide a summary of actions taken by Governments in accordance with the requests of the General Assembly to terminate contacts with racially selected sports teams from South Africa. It is based on information provided by Governments in communications to the Secretary-General or the Special Committee against Apartheid; statements in the General Assembly or the Special Political Committee; and other available information. The information contained herein is not complete as regards international action against apartheid in sports in South Africa. It concerns actions by Governments alone. It may be noted, for instance, that the sports organizations in a number of countries have taken effective action on their own initiative or in consultation with their Governments. Before summarizing the actions of Governments, the relevant provisions of the resolutions of the General Assembly may be recalled. In resolution 2396 (XXIII) of 2 December 1968, paragraph 12, the Assembly requested "all States and organizations to suspend cultural, educational, sporting and other exchanges with the racist regime and with organizations or institutions in South Africa which practise apartheid". In resolution 2671 C (XXV) of 8 December 1970, paragraph 8, it reiterated this request. In 1971, the General Assembly adopted a special resolution resolution 2775 D (1XxVI) of 29 November 1971 - on "apartheid in sports". It reads inter alia: 1. Declares its unqualified support of the Olympic principle that no discrimination be allowed on the grounds of race religion or political affiliation; 2. Affirms that merit should be the sole criterion for participation in sports dctivities; 3. Solemnly calls upon all national and international sports organizations to uphold the Olympic principle of non-discrimination and to discourage and deny support to sporting events organized in violation of this principle; 4. Calls upon individual sportsmen to refuse to participate in any sports activity in a country in which there is an official policy of racial discrimination or apartheid in the field of sports; 5. Urges all States to promote adherence to the Olympic principle of non-discrimination and to encourage their sports organizations to withhold support from sporting events organized in violation of this principle;

6. Requests national and international sports organizations and the public to deny any form of recognition to any sports activity from which persons are debarred or in which they are subjected to any discrimination on the basis of race, religion or political affiliation; 7. Condemns the actions of the Government of South Africa in enforcing racial discrimination and segregation in sports; 8. Notes with regret that some national and international sports organizations have continued exchanges with teams from South Africa that have been selected for international competition on the basis of competition closed to otherwise qualified sportsmen solely on the basis of their race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin; 9. Commends those international and national sports organizations that have supported the international campaign against apartheid in sports; 10. Requests all States to urge their national sports organizatitns to act in accordance with the present resolution ... In resolution 2923 E (XXVII) of 15 November 1972, paragraph 14, the General Assembly requested "all States to take appropriate steps in accordance with General Assembly resolution 2775 D (XXVI) to uphold the Olympic principle of non-discrimination in sports and to withhold any support from sporting events organized in violation of this principle, particularly with the participation of racially selected teams from South Africa". In paragraph 16 of that resolution, the Assembly invited all organizations, institutions and information media to organize campaigns in 1973 on various issues, including "boycott of South Africa in sports and any cultural and other activities". In resolution 3151 G (XXVIII) of 14 December 1973, paragraphs 9 and 10, the Assembly stated: 9. Commends Governments which have boycotted, and organizations and individuals that have campaigned for the boycott of exchanges with racially selected sports teams from South Africa; 10. Calls upon all Governments which have not yet done so: (a) To take all necessary action to ensure the cessation of exchanges with South African sports teams selected in violation of the Olympic principle; (b) To draw the attention of national sports organizations to the provisions of United Nations resolutions on apartheid in sports; (c) To deny any assistance or recognition to exchanges with racist sports teams from South Africa; (d) To end all cultural, educational and civic contacts and exchanges with racist institutions in South Africa. In resolution 3324 E (XXIX) of 16 December 1974, paragraph 9 (c), the Assembly requested all Governments "to prohibit all cultural, educational, scientific, sporting and other contacts with the racist regime and with organizations or institutions in South Africa which practise .partheid".

In 1975, the General Assembly again adopted a separate resolution on "apartheid in sports", stressing the importance of the sports boycott of South Africa. Resolution 3411 E (XXX), adopted unanimously on 28 November 1975, read: The General Assembly, Recalling and reaffirming its resolution 2775 D (XXVI) of 29 November 1971 on apartheid in sports, Noting that the campaign for the boycott of South African sports teams, selected on the basis of apartheid and in violation of the Olympic ppinciple of non-discrimination, has been an important measure which has effectively demonstrated the abhorrence of apartheid on the part of Governments and peoples, Rejecting the attempts of the racist regime to gain acceptance for participation in international sports by superficial and insignificant modifications of apartheid, Noting with regretthat some national and international sports bodies have continued contacts with racist South African sports bodies in violation of the Olympic principle and the resolutions of the United Nations, Condemning the racist regime of South Africa for its repressive measures against non-racial sports bodies in South Africa, 1. Reaffirms its unqualified support of the Olympic principle that no discrimination be allowed on the grounds of race, religion or political affiliation; 2. Commends all Governments, sports bodies and other organizations which have taken action, in pursuance of the Olympic principle and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, for the boycott of racially selected South African sports bodies or teams; 3. Calls upon all Governments, sports bodies and other organizations: (a) To refrain from all contacts with sports bodies established on the basis of aparthei or racially selected sports teams from South Africa; (b) To exert all their influence to secure the full implementation of the Olympic principle, especially by the national and international sports bodies which have continued co-operation with South African sports bodies established on the basis of apartheid; 4. Commends all sports bodies and sportsmen in South Africa which have been struggling against racism in sports; 5. Requests the Secretary-General to arrange for the production and widest distribution of information material on apartheid in sports in South Africa, and the international campaign against contacts in sports with South Africa..

ARGENTINA Following press reports in July 1972 that the Davis Cup Nations Committee had voted to reinstate South Africa in the competition, and that the Argentine member had voted in favour of that decision, the Special Committee addressed a communication to the Permanent Representative of Argentina. He replied, in a letter dated 19 July 1972, that the Davis Cup Committee is composed of seven persons who are appointed directly by the Londen-based International Lawn Tennis Federation and that the Argentine Government was not responsible for the position which any Argentine citizen on the Committee may adopt. Subsequently, on 2 October 1972, the representative of Argentina announced at a meeting of the Special Committee that if Argentina was picked as the venue of the Davis Cup tennis trials, his Government would ban the South African team from entering the country. In a letter dated 17 September 1973, addressed to the Chairman of the Special Committee, in reply to a communication concerning the readmission of South Africa to the Davis Cup tennis tournament in the South American zone, the Permanent Representative of Argentina. reaffirmed that the Argentine Government "will take all necessary steps to ensure that Davis Cup matches involving the participation of representatives from countries which practise §he7 policy of racial discrimination do not take place on Argentine territory. His Government, he said, reaffirmed itm position, that countries from other regions should not participate in matches in the South American zone. Accordingly, the Government of the Argentine Republic had taken and would continue to take the necessary steps to ensure full complicace, within its jurisdiction, with paragraphs 5 and 10 of General Assembly resolution 2775 D (XXVI). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship in issued a press release on 28 September 1973 in which it stated: "The Department of Sports of the Ministry of Social Welfare, with the agreement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, has informed the Argentine Sports Confederation, so that it may instruct its affiliated bodies and the Argentine accordingly, that Argentine sportsmen, regardless of the nature of the bodies they represent, are henceforth prohibited from competing directly against South African sportsmen, wherever the sports event may take place. "The above prohibition derives from the provisions of resolutions 2775 D (XXVI) and 2923 E (XXVII), adopted by the General Assembly with the affirmative vote of over 100 Member States, including the Argentine Republic. "This measure will remain in force so long as the policy of racial segregation is maintained in South Africa, since that policy violates not only fundamental human rights but also the Olympic principle of non-discrimination in sport ... "The Department of Sports will invoke the legal provisions in force to punish any institution or person that infringe the above rules."

-5- AUSTRALIA Until December 1972, the Government of Australia took the position that it would not interfere in the affairs of the autonomous sports associations. Australia abstained in the vote on General Assembly resolution 2775 D (XXVI) of 29 November 1971. In a letter dated 11 December 1972, after a change of government in Australia, the Permanent Representative of Australia conveyed to the Chairman of the Special Committee the text of a press statement by the Right Honourable Mr. E.G. Whitlam which stated: "The Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlam, announced today that in future racially selected sporting teams would be excluded from Australia. The South African Government has been informed of the decision. Mr. lhttlam said that transit through Australia for sporting teams selected on a racial basis would also be prevented. The Australian Governmentts position on such visits is now quite clear. Shipping and airline companies operating international services to Australia are being informed of the decision." In subsequent communications to the Special Committee concerning sports contacts between Australia and South Africa, the Permanent Representative of Australia described the continued efforts of his Government to dissuade teams from taking part in sporting events held in South Africa under conditions of apartheid and its position that any such participation would be without the approval or endorsement of the Australian Government. In a letter dated 9 August 1973 the Permanent Representative of Australia stated: "As regards those events held neither in South Africa nor in Australia in Which teams from both countries participate, it is the Australian Government's view that the question of who should be invited to participate is one for the convening organizers to decide. "Concerning sporting events held in South Africa in which Australian teams participate, you will be aware ... of the Australian Government's continuing efforts to dissuade teams from taking part in such events and of its position that participation in sporting events held under conditions of apartheid will be without the approval or endorsement of the Australian Government. On the other hand I should again point out that the Government does not place restrictions on the right of Australians to play whatever form of sport they like, where they like. "In informing you of the Australian Government's views on this matter I wish to emphasize again the Governmentts strong opposition to apartheid in sport and draw your attention to the fact that racially selected sporting teams are not permitted to enter or transit Australia."

-6- In March 1975, the Australian Cricket Board decided to cancel a tour of South Africa scheduled for 1975-1976 season. In a letter dated 14 March 1975, the Chairman of the Special Committee expressed the appreciation of the Special Committee to the Government of Australia and to the Australian Cricket Board. BRAZIL In a reply to a communication concerning the admission of South Africa to the South American zone of the Davis Cup Tennis competition, the Deputy Permanent Representative and Charge d'Affaires a.i. of Brazil stated in a letter dated 10 September 1973: "Needless to say, the decisions of the Brazilian Lan Tennis Federation, much less those of the International Lawn Tennis Association, do not involve the Brazilian Government, whose endorsement is not required nor do such decisions reflect the Government's points of view or policies ... "I am pleased to inform you that, on recommendation of the Brazilian Government the Brazilian Lawn Tennis Federation has decided that its team will not play with the South African team either in South Africa or in Brazilian territory." The representative of Brazil informed the Special Political Committee of the General Assembly on 15 October 1975 that Brazilian authorities had systematically discouraged the participation of Brazilian nationals in sporting competitions held on South African territory or with the participation of South African nationals. His Government had recently refused to authorize a sallng race from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro and had prohibited the use of Brazilian ports as terminals or stop-overs for such a race. It had also forbidden Brazilian nationals and boats to participate in the event. _/ BULGARIA In a letter dated 4 June 1972, addressed to the Secretary-General, the Permanent Representative of Bulgaria stated: "The Bulgarian Olympic Committee, like the Bulgarian national federations for the various sports, has always insisted on the application of the Olympic principle in sport and was among the first to oppose the 'white' - single Olympic Committee of South Africa. The delegation of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee voted in favour of the exclusion of South Africa from the international Olympic movement. l It was subsequently reported in the press that Brazil had granted permission for the yacht race between Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro in January 1976"on exceptional basis".

-7- "The Bulgarian Olympic Committee and the national federations for the various sports are kept regularly informed on the sports aspects of the policy of apartheid." In another letter dated 29 April 1974, addressed to the SecretaryGeneral, the Permanent Representative of Bulgaria transmitted a statement by the Bulgarian Government, which reads inter alia: "The Bulgarian sports federations have rendered their support to the proposals of African and Asian countries for the exclusion of the Republic of South Africa from-international sports competitions. "To our great surprise, on 11 April 197'4 the Board of Directors of the International Gymnastics Federation (IGF) took a decision at Biel, Switzerland, rescinding the decision of the IGF Congress in 1970 to hold the XVIIIth World Gymnastici ,Championship in the People's Republic of Bulgaria. The IGF Board of Directors based its decision on the refusal of the Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation to invite the Gymnastics Federation of the Republic of South Africa. "The Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation has always maintained a negative attitude towards racism and apartheid in sports and in general. On 7 April 1974, in a special declaration the Bulgarian GymmasticS Federation again reiterated resolutely its position, based on the United Nations decisions, against allowing representatives of the Republic of South Africa to participate at the World Championship in Varna, Bulgaria. This. popition corresponds to the spirit of the principles of the present-day international sports movement and to the eyplicit decisions and stands of a number.of internationhl sports.organizations, including the International Olympic Committee and the Xth. Olympic Congress. It also fully complies with the United Nations decisions on this question and particularly with paragraph 10 (a) of General Assembly resolution 3151 G (xxVIII). "The Government of the People's Republic of Bulgaria cannot but protest energetically against the decision of the Board of Directors of the International.Gymnastics Federation 'because it renders an official support to the racist policies of the Republic of South Africa and manifestly disregards the United Nations decisions concerning-South Africa's policies of apartheid - decisions which express the firm will of all peoples throughout the world." CANADA In accordance with Government policy, no federal assistance is given to any Canadian athlete contemplating participation in international sporting events hosted by South Africa. The Government has written to all sports associations in Canada that while the ultimate decision regarding invitations to such sporting events rests with the individual athlete or the sp3rts governing council concerned, it was hoped that the ramifications concerning racial difficulties throughout the world, as well as the strong position as espoused by a number of international sports federations, would be taken under advisement and counsel. It was reported that the Canadian Squash Rackets Association withdrew from the World Amateur Squash Championship, held in South Africa in August 1973, after the Canadian Government had indicated that participation would jeopardize any chance of gaining future government support. The representative of Canada told the Special Political Committee of the General Assembly on 23 October 1975 that in a letter to Canadian sporting organizations, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare had said that the Canadian Government's policy was to refuse any financial assistance to athletes wishing to visit South Africa in order to take part in sporting events. The final decision was left to the individual or sporting federation concerned. The Minister had also informed the sporting organizations that, as from July 1975, the Canadian Government would give no moral or financial support to any sporting event Eeld in Canada to which South African athletes were invited. CYPRUS In a note dated 15 February 1972 addressed to the Secretary--General, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus tohthesUnited Nations stated: "The Republic of Cyprus adheres to the Olympic principle of non-discrimination and supports the full implementation of General Assembly resolution 2775 D (XXVI). The Government has, moreover, requested the Cypriot sports organizqtions and teams to act in accordance with the said resolution." CZECHOSLOVAKIA At its 215th meeting, on 3 July 1972, the Special Committee took note of a letter from the Permanent Representative of Czechoslovakia informing it that he had declined an invitation from the United States Tennis Association to be honorary guest at the United States Open Tennis Championship at Forest Hills, New York, on the ground that the South African Ambassador and South African players had also been invited to participate.

-9- ECUADOR In a note dated 16 March 1972 addressed to the Secretary-General, the Permanent Representative of Ecuador stated: "With regard to paragraphs 5 and J.O of resolution 2775 D (XXVI), the Ecuadorian Government will promote 'adherence to the Olympic principle of non-discrimination' and will urge its national sports organizations to act in accordance with the said resolution." In a letter dated 20 March 1974 addressed to the Chairman of the Special Committee in reply to a communication concerning a tennis match between a South African team and an Ecuadorian team, the Permanent Representative of Ecuador stated: "Due to unexpected circumstances, the tennis match that took place in the port of Guayaquil against a team of the Republic of South Africa escaped its control, and it is now taking all the necessary measures for the strict implementation in the future of the resolutions of the General Assembly in this regard. Ecuador has voted for these resolutions and feels, therefore, bound by them. Ecuador is an anti--racist country and opposes all forms of discrimination." EGYPT In a note dated 14 April 1972, addressed to the Secretary-General, the Permanent Representative of Egypt stated: "In accordance with paragraphs 5 and 10 of resolution 2775 D (XXVI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt brought to the attention of the competent authorities and sports organizations of Egypt the abovementioned resolution and required the continued implementation of the principle that no discrimination be allowed on the grounds of race, religion or political affiliation in sports." In another note dated 27 August 1973, addressed to the Special Committee, the Permanent Mission of Egypt stated: ... in conformity with the policy of the Government of Egypt based on condemning apartheid and racial discrimination, the Egyptian Association of Squash will not participate in the ... World Squash Tournament being held in South Africa."

- 10 - FIJI In a note dated 21 February 1972, addressed to the Secretary-General, the Permanent Representative of Fiji stated that General Assembly resolution 2775 D (XXVI) on "apartheid in sports" was being brought to the attentiorr of' appropriate national sports organizations as a resolution which the Government of Fiji supports." FINLAND The Permanent Representative of Finland stated, in a letter dated 9 October 1975'addressed to the Special Committee: "The Delpgation of Finland voted in favour of General Assembly resolution 2775 D (XXCVI) concerning apartheid in sports. Accordingly, the Minister of Education, Mrs. Marjatta Vininen, has stated in the Finnish Parliament,on 15 May 1973, inter alta that the sports organizations in Finland should take into account the provisions of resolution 2775 D (XVI). "Following this statement, the Ministry of Education has had talks on the international sports relations with representatives of sports organizations, which in 'Finland are private bodies. The Finnish national sports council in which both the Government and sports organizations are represented has thereafter established a special committee to handle questions concerning international sports relations, including the question of apartheid in sports. Because of this arrangement, the sports contacts between Finnish and South African teams and individuals, which always have been very few, have decreased to a practically non-existing level." France abstained on General Assembly resolution 2775 D (Mv-i), while declaring full support for the Olympic principle of non-discrimination. In a letter dated 25 April 1973, addressed to the Acting Chairman of the Special Committee, the Permanent Representative of France stated: "We are not in favour of sending large and well-known teams into a country which practises racial discrimination, but we cannot object to isolated exchanges of sportsmen. They belong to federations which enjoy full freedom with regard to the selection of international competitions in which their members participate."

- 11 GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC In a letter dated 1 August 1973, addressed to the Secretary-General, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the German Democratic Republic stated: "The State Secretariat for Physical Culture and Sport, the Nationsl Olympic Committee, the German Gymnastics and Sports Association and all sports clubs of the GDR affiliated to it, respect the Olympic principle of non-discrimination in sports. In accordance with decisions of the International Olympic Committee they do not maintain any relations with South Africa.." GERMANY, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF In a number of communications to the Special Committee, the Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany stated that the national sports associations in his country were private organizations and were not subject to Government orders. In a letter dated 2 April 1973, for instance, he stated: "They are autonomous in their relations with the German National Olympic Committee and the German Sports Federation (DSB) and conduct their international sports relations in accordance with the regulations of the International sports organizations. It is up to the latter to decide on the question of appropriate sanctions against South Africa.. Neither the Federal Government nor the National Olympic Committee can legdlly enjoin individual sports associations from participating in certain sports events." In a letter dated 29 September 1975, addressed to the Special Committee, the Permanent Representative stated: "The policy of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany regarding apartheid remains unchanged. It is based on the principles of the United Nations Charter. The Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Germany firmly reject any form of racism and colonialism. Therefore, the Federal Government Ls 'stronCly opposed to the appearance of' racially selected sports teams in the Federal Republic of Germany. "This attitude has been explained during several consultations between my country's representatives and South African authorities. In this connerion the participation of a racially mixed South African team in the Gymnaestrada 'In Berlin from 1-5 July 1975 may be considered as a certain Lpro.ress.

- 12 - "Furthermore, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany had talks with the national sports association on this subject. As a consequence the E:ecutive Committee of the German sports associations unanimously decided to maintain its policy as already laid out in the recommendations of 1970 and 1973 and to request member associations once again to exercise restraint in their relations with the Republic of South Africa, especially in cases where the composition of the teams from that country is not racially mixed. Sports meets of a representative nature are not to be arranged at all. "However, being autonomous in the conduct of their international relations and governed only by the rules of the respective international sports federations, these associations are not subject to instructions from the Federal Government. The latter gives neither moral nor financial support to German sports teams participating in international sports events. "In sum, the Federal Government is trying its utmost to comply with the recommendations of the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council." HUNGARY In a note dated 30 July 1973, addressed to the Secretary-General, the Acting Permanent Representative of Hungary stated: "Hungarian sports teams have never participated in any of the racially selected international. sports competitions and they are not prepared to do so in the future." INDIA In October 1974, the All-India Lawn Tennis Federation decided not to play South Africa in the final round of the Davis Cup Tennis competition. The Special Committee conveyed its commendation to the Government of India for this action. In a letter dated 14 June 1972, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations informed the Special Committee that it had declined an invitation to the United States Open Tennis Championship at Forest Hills, New York, on the ground that the South African Ambassador and South African players had also been invited to participate.

13 - The Permanent Representative of India informed the Special Committee in 1975:"... in February 1975 the Government of India did not allow the South African Table Tennis Board to participate in the World Table Tennis Championship held in Calcutta. This is in accordance with India's decision to continue to boycott the South African regime in all spheres of activLty, including sports events, until South Africa complies with United Nations resolutions". IRAN In a letter dated 6 October 1975, addressed to the Special Committee , the Permanent Representative of Iran stated: "The Government of Iran has fully implemented resolution 3151 of the twenty-eighth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which it had voted in favour of, and both the Iranian Olympic Committee and the National Organization for Physical Fitness are instructed to fully comply with its provisions." IRELAND In reply to a question in Dail Eireann, the Minister of Foreign Afftirs stated on 14 March 1974: "The United Nations General Assembly has declared its unqualified support of the Olympic principle that no discrimination should be allowed in sports events on grounds of race, religion or political affiliation and it is the Government's policy to support that principle. The Government believes that selection for representative teams should be made on the basis of merit and achievement alone. Accordingly, the Government can only view with regret any participation by Irish sportsmen or women in sports events organized in violation of this principle. However, sports organizations in this country are private bodies and their members must freely determine their attitude to the Olympic principle of non-discrimination on grounds of race in sport. "In saying this, I wish to emphasize also that it is not the Government's desire to interfere with the normal freedom of citizens to travel abroad." In a letter dated 29 March 1974, addressed to the President of the Irish , in connexion with the proposed visit of the Lions rugby team to South Africa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Garrett Fitzgerald, stated inter alia: ..i.4 -p) "You will appreciate that I and the Government fully accept the right of the Irish Rugby Football Union to make its own decision in this matter. The Government's role is to ensure that bodies like the Irish Rugby Football Union are fully aware of the implications of their actions and, of course, to implementUn 'ted Nations resolutions. "The United Nations has declared its unqualified support of the Olympic principle that no discrimination on racial, religious or political grounds should be allowed in sports events and it is the Government's policy to support that principle. Nevertheless, since sports organizations in Ireland are independent bodies, it is not for the Government to force them to adopt Official Policy. It is for the Irish Rugby Football Union, therefore, to uphold the Olympic principle by consent and not by coercion. In saying this, however, I must emphasize my great disappointment at the fact that the Irish Rugby Football Union does not seem to appreciate that in participating in the Lions tour of southern Africa they are setting the Olympic principle at nought." ISRAEL In a note dated 23 February 1972, addressed to the Secretary-General, the representative of Israel stated that the attention of the national organizations concerned had been drawn to the relevant parts of General Assembly resolution 2775 (XXVI). JAPAN On 6 June 1974, the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations issued a statement with regard to sports contacts with South Africa. It said: "The Government of Japan has decided upon a new measure, which will become effective on 15 June, whereby no entry visa is to be issued to any South Africans who wish to enter Japan for the purpose of cultural exchanges or sporting activities. This measure is intended to make more effective the efforts that the Government of Japan has consistently exerted to discou~age cultural exchanges and sporting activities between Japan and South Africa, in Pompltance with .Gpneral Assembly xesolutions on apartheid.

- 15 - "The new restriction on visas for South Africans manifests the determination of Japan to co-operate with the international community, particularly with the African countries, in intensifying efforts to accelerate the total eradication of apartheid. They are a reflection of the deep sympathy for, and understanding of, on the part of the Government and people of Japan, the common aspirations of African people, as well as the spirit of co-operation of the Government and people of Japan in achieving the aims of the Organization of African Unity." KENYA In March 1970, the Government of Kenya announced that Kenyan athletes would not be allowed to compete in sports events against any individual or group of individuals who had taken part in sporting events in South Africa. In a note dated 10 March 1972, addressed to the Secretary--General, the Permanent Representative of Kenya stated With reference to General Assembly resolution 2775 D (XXVI): "The Kenya Government has consistently adhered to the Olympic principles of non-discrimination. .lthough the Government of South Africa, has in the past intimated its wish to invite Kenya sportsment to compete there, the Government of Kenya has flatly rejected such moves." MAURITIUS In a letter to the Special Committee in 1975, the Permanent Representative of Mauritius stated: "No selected teams from South Africa have even been inyited to participate in any official sport event in Mauritius. Furthermore, such practices are not ercouraged at all by the Government of Mauritiuo." MEXICO At the 917th meeting of the Special Polittcal Committee of the General Assembly on 21 October 1974, the representative of Mexico recalled' that South Africa had not participated in the Olympic Games in Mexico in 3968; "The position of Mexitco, as the host country, had played a decisive rQle in that decis WAn."

In a letter dated 11 March 1975, the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations informed the Special Committee of a press release issued by the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico concerning a decision taken by the Mexican Government not to allow the Davis Cup Tennis matches between Mexico and South Africa. The statement said that the Government had decided to deny entry visas to the South African players and that it had informed the Mexican Tennis Federation about the decision. In a letter dated 14 March 1975, addressed to the Permanent Representative of Mexico, the Chairman of the Special Committee expressed the appreciation of the Special Committee to the Government of Mexico for its decision. NETHERLANDS In a letter dated 5 July 1973 addressed to the Chairman of the Special Committee, in reply to a communication of the Special Committee, the Acting Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands stated: "It is a well-known fact that the delegation of the Klingdom of the Netherlands was among those delegations which voted in favour of General Assembly resolution 2775 D (XXVI) on apartheid in sports. "The Netherlands delegation in voting in favour of that resolution, however, stated explicitly that the Netherlands sports organizations were autonomous private organizationa. "Consequently, the Netherlands Government is only in a position to advise these organizations not to participate in sporting events in countries where segregation in sports exists. "From this it follows that the Netherlands Government cannot accept any responsibility for policies being followed in this field by the Netherlands sports organizations." NEW ZEALAND The position of New Zealand until the change of Government at the end of 1972 was as indicated in the following extracts from a statement by the Prime Minister (Mr. J.R. Marshall) on 7 March 1972: "Because we oppose apartheid we would prefer that South Africa should send fully representative teems selected on merit without racial discrimination. - 16 ..

- 17 - "The South African authorities know that this is our view. This is the only basis on which our own teams are selected and this is accepted in South Africa. It would do much to improve relations between our two countries if South Africa would select their teams on this basis. "It is argued that we should discontinue sporting and other contacts while apartheid continues but it is not in the liberal tradition of New Zealanders to extend hatred of apartheid to hatred of the people of South Africa whatever their colour may be. "It is not the intention of the New Zealand Government even though our policies on race relations are diametrically opposed to those of the South African Government to impose this opposition in any personal way against the South African people, many of whom like to see changes in their own Government's policies ... "Coming now to the specific question of a tour by a South African Rugby Team in 1973, the Government does not intend to intervene to stop the tour. This does not carry with it any approval of the basis of selection of the team, but it does mean that in our view it is better to maintain this bridge with South Africa rather than break it down and build a wall with the rubble." On 23 January 1973, H.E. Mr. Norman Kirk, the new Prime Minister of New Zealand, wrote to the Union, in an effort to persuade it to abandon the proposed Springbok rugby tour of New Zealand scheduled for 1973. On 10 April 1973, Prime Minister Kirk announced the Government's decision to prohibit the Springbok rugby tour and made it clear that it would welcome any team chosen without racial discrimination. He released the text of another letter to the New Zealand Rugby Union giving the reasons which led to the Government to conclude that a tour by a team selected from white South Africans should not take place. He said: "A tout on such a basis would exacerbate differences of attitude on racial matters within New Zealand and create strains within our society. It would damage New Zealand's broader international relations by reducing its standing and credibility as a decent human country, with a successful multi-racial society. "In particular, it is clear from the discussions I have had with Commonwealth leaders and which other Ministers have had on overseas visits, that New Zealand's reputation in this sensitive area of race relations would suffer severely and for a long time to come in the eyes of the Commonwealth and of our neighbours in the Pacific. We cannot afford to allow this to happen."

- 18 - Subsequently, the Special Committee received a number of communications sent by the Prime Minister to several New Zealand sports organizations discouraging them from having sports contact from South Africa. On 19 July 1974 Prime Minister Kirk issued a major statement outlining the New Zealand Government's policy on sporting contacts with South frica. He made clear that the Government was opposed to the entry of sporting teams from South Africa into New Zealand until such time as there was clear and irrefutable evidence that sport in South Africa was no longer organized on a racial basis. The Government's policy is that no sporting team from South Africa will be permitted to visit New Zealand unless it has been selected on true merit and represents a code in which apartheid is not practised in any form at national, provincial and club levels, and there is confirmation that such a policy had the approval of the South African Government. With regard to New Zealand sports teams visiting South Africa, the Prime Minister stated that the Government did not approve of such visits nor would it support them, but it did not and would not go to the extent of restricting the freedom of New Zealanders to travel overseas. This policy was reaffirmed by Mr. W.E. Rowling, after he became Prime Minister in September 1974, and received the unanimous support of the parliamentary Labour Party on 27 February 1975. The representative of New Zealand stated in the Special Political Committee of the General Assembly on 15 October 1975 that the New Zealand Government refused permission to any sporting team from South Africa to visit New Zealand unless it had been selected on true merit. This requirement had so far excluded all South African sports teams. In addition, the Government made every endeavour to discourage New Zealand sportsmen from visiting South Africa. In a letter dated 3 November 1975, addressed to the Special Committee, the Permanent Representative of New Zealand provided the following summary account of action taken by the New Zealand Government in connexion with proposed visits to New Zealand by South African sports teams: "On 10 April 1973 the Prime Minister of New Zealand .directed the New'ZealandRugbyUjior~towithdraw its Invitation to the South African national rugby team scheduled'to tour New Zealand in June 1973.. The proposed tour was called off. "Also tn 1973, the Government's views were sought on visits to New Zealand by a South Africn Women's Bowls team (to pqrticepate Ln the International Championsl-hpp) and a South Africen Women's Tennts team (to cohipete for the 1974 Federation Cup),j Tn the-latter case, partLcipatiop by the South Afr1can team was a prerequisite for New Zealand's hosting the tqurpament. The Government did . ot apcept that either teem would be selected Qn merit, and.invitations vere not e,-tenCedi

- 19 - "In 19T4 the Government was approached by the New Zealand Netball Association for its views on South African part~cipation lIn the 1975 international tournament. Once more it-vas-decfded that, because of the apartheid- structure of netball in South Africa, selection on merit would not occur.. The: Association:was accordingly advised that the Government would oppose a visit by the South African netball side. "In June 1974 in response to an approach from the New Zealand lawn Tennis Association to stage the Federation Cup tournament in New Zealand in 1975, the Prime Minister clarified the Governmentts policy as follows: 'No sporting team from South Africa will be permitted to visit 'New Zealand unless it has been selected on true merit and represents a code in which apartheid is not practised in any form at national, provincial and club levels, and there is confirmation that such a policy has the approval of the South African Government.' "The NZLTA did not proceed with its plans for the 1975 Federation Cup. "TheNew Zealand Softball Association has been advised that the entry of a South African softball team for the 1976 International Championships would not be approved by the Government. "In'two cases recently proposed visits by the Diggers Rg'by Club of.Johannesburg in March 1975 and by a South African billiards team for the World Championships to be held in New Zealand in September 19751 visa applications from the team members concerned were deolined by the New Zealand authorities." PAKISTAN In a letter dated 5 April 1972, addressed to the Secretary--General, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan stated: "In compliance of the resolutions/recommendations of the General Assembly and the Security Council, Pakistan has also suspended all cultural, educational and sports exchanges with South Africa."

- 20 - In a letter dated 28 October 1975, addressed to the Special Committee, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan stated: "The Government of Pakistan strictly follows a policy of 'no sports with white South Africa' until such time that the policy of apartheid is abandoned by the racist regime. In accordance with this policy, Pakistan is having no sporting contacts whatsoever with South Africa. It was on account of this policy that the visit of the Pakistan under-25 cricket team to scheduled for June 1970 was cancelled as a protest against the visit of an all white South Africa cricket team to England. In the year 1973, the Pakistan squash team was not allowed by the Government to compete in international squash competition at Johannesburg. "Further, South Africa is not being invited to participate in the Squash Racket World Cup Tournament to be held in Pakistan during February 1976. PAPUA NEW GUINEA It was reported that in October 1972, the Papua New Guinea Government decided to prohibit the participation of the Papua New Guinea Bowl Association in the South African Games in Pretoria in March-April 1973. PERU In a letter dated 18 October 1973, addressed to the Chairman of the Special Committee, the Permanent Representative of Peru stated: "In compliance with the United Nations resolution on apartheid, the Peruvian Government has rejected an invitation for Peruvian athletes to participate in an event to be held in Pretoria. Recently, the Government refused to permit the South African polo team 'Springboks% which was to play a series of matches in Lima starting on 17 October, to enter the country. Furthermore, despite the existence of private sporting organizations, the Peruvian Government has succeeded in dissuading Peruvian sportsmen from participating in contests in South Africa and has decided to refuse to permit South African sportsmen to enter Peru as long as the policy of apartheid is maintained." - 21 - PHILIPPINES In a letter dated 22 March 1973, the Permanent Representative of the PhIlippines to the United Nations informed the Special Committee that the Philippines would not participate in the South African Games in Pretoria. He stressed the solidarity of the Philippines with the world-wide struggle against all forms of racism and racial discrimination, within and outside of the United Nations. The Philippine Government decided not to allow entry to Manila of South African delegates to the Conference of the World Boxing Association (held in Manila from 28 September to 4 October 1975) "for failure to present written renunciation of the South African Government's policy of apartheid and racism." Further, in a letter dated 19 December 1975, addressed to the Chairman of the Special Committee, the Permanent Representative of the Philippines stated that the Philippines"w1tl&2 n6taatticipate in the World Softball Championships, to be held in New Zealand in January 1976, "if the South African team is participating. The Special Committee commended the above actions of the Philippine Government. SPAIN In a note dated 27 March 1972, addressed to the Secretary-General, the Permanent Representative of Spain stated: "The competent Spanish organizations avoid sports events with South Africa, except when they are sponsored by international sports organizations of which both countries are members." SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC In a note dated 10 February 1972, addressed to the Secretary-General, the Permanent Representative of Syria stated that his Government would strictly comply with the relevant provisions of General Assembly resolution 2775 (XXVI). SENEGAL In a letter dated 10 November 1975, addressed to the Special Committee, the Permanent Representative of Senegal stated: "The Government of Senegal has always conformed to the guidelines of the Conseil Superieur du Sport en Afrique (Supreme Council of Sport in Africa,) and of the Organization of African Unity. Accordingly, no Senegalese sports team participates in any competition at which South Africa is represented."

- 22 .. TOGO In a letter dated 10 October 1975, addressed to the Special Committee, the Permanent Representative of Togo stated: "The Togolese Government has no relations - either at the level of sports or at any other level - with the racist South African regime, and it reaffirms its condemnation of South Africa's apartheid policy in the realm of sports, under which teams are selected on purely racial grounds." TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO In reply to a communication from the Special Committee concerning the admission of South Africa to the Davis Cup tennis competition in the South American zone, the Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago stated in a letteY dated 8 February 1973: "Trinidad and Tobago condemns all forms and manifestations of racial discrimination and apartheid. This position is evidence by its stand taken on the various resolutions adopted by the United Nations, and specifically by the role played by its delegation in the formulation and adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 2775 D (XXVI) concerning Apartheid in Sports. "Consistent with that position, Trinidad and Tobago considers the readmission of South Africa to the Davis Cup Tennis Tournament a violation of the United Nations resolutions and the Olympic principle, and as an act which undermines the United Nations' campaign against racial discrimination. "Trinidad and Tobago fully shares the concern of the Special Committee against Apartheid, of which it is a member, and regards as unacceptable the decision of the Davis Cup Committee which provided for competition by South Africa in the South American zone. "Accordingly, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, while not wishing to interfere with the free exercise of the rights of its citizens to enter into sporting activities with countries or peoples of their choice, will most strongly urge all citizens to respect the United Nations resolution 2775 D (=) by refraining from all sporting activities with South African players. Moreover, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to inform that under no circumstances will visas be issued to South African players nor would any competition to which South African players are invited be held in its territory."

- 23 - In a letter dated 25 November 1975, addressed to the Special Committee, the Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago transmitted the following statement issued by hir Government on 13 November 1975: "Arising out of a decision by the Trinidad and Tobago Bodybuilding Association to send a team to South Africa, Cabinet decided at its regular meeting this morning that the Association Viill not receive any Government sponsorship or Z .nncial s .i:port for any sporting activities at home or abroad. "Cabinet decided also that Trinidad and Tobago sporting organizations or any of their members tahing part in any sporting activities in South Afriba will be denied official sponsorship and financial support. "It will be recalled that Trinidad and Tobago has taken an active part in the United Nations in its attempt to eradicate apartheid in South Africa and ensure the application of human rights and fundamental freedoms to all its inhabitants. "Trinidad and Tobago has been an active member of both the jnitedTXati-nr, SpecLal,_J6nr.Lttee a,7a tnstL r&-the ,d 6 the Committee of 24 on Decolonization. This country has also supported and co-sponsored tfitedVt iobns ~i~s is&hing2:t d aSouth Africa in the political, diplomatic, economic, military, cultural and sports field. It has publicly announced its support for the boycott of sports with South Africa. "In April 1975, the Special Committee against Apartheid publicised the actions taken by Governments in pursuance of General Assembly resolutions concerning the boycott of racially selected sports teams from South Africa. Trinidad and Tobago reiterated its position on apartheid in sports as follows : 'The Government of Trinidad and Tobago while not wishing to interfere with the free exercise of the rights of its citizens to enter into sporting activities with countries or peoples of their choice, will most strongly urge all citizens to respect the United Nations resolution 2775 D (XXVI) by refraining from all sporting activities with South African players. Moreover, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to inform that under no;circumstances will visas be issued to South African players nor would any competition to which South African players are invited be held in its territory. "'

- 24 - The Special Committee commended the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for this action. UKRAINIAN SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC In a note dated 15 August 1974, the Ukrainian SSR stated: "In accordance with the United Nations decisions on the prohibition of apartheid in sports and the boycotting of racist spcrts teams, Ukrainian sportsmen and sports organizations, as in the past, have no contacts with South African sports teams made up on a racial basis. UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS In a note dated 17 March 1972, addressed to the Secretary-General, the Permanent Representative of the USSR stated: "The USSR does not have any cultural, educational, sports or other exchanges with the South African r6gime, which is pursuing policies of apartheid and racial discrimination, or with its organizations and institutions. In pursuance of the resolution adopted at the twenty-sixth session of the General Assembly, the USSR Tennis Federation issued a statement on 29 January 1972 condemning the decision of the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) to allow a tennis team from the Republic of South Africa to enter the Davis Cup tournament and announcing that, unless that decision was reconsidered, the Soviet team would not participate in the tournament." / _/ In a letter dated 12 April 1972, addressed to the Secretary-General, Mr. K. Andrianov, Chairman of the Olympic Committee of the USSR, member of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee, stated: "The Olympic Committee of the USSR, having at its meeting considered United Nations General Assembly resolution 2775 D (XXVI) of 29 November 1971, ;-nanimcusly suppor;ed all the provisions 6f that important document which sets out measures to combat racism and racial discrimination in sports. "Pursuant to the appeal of the General Assembly to all international sports organizations to suspend exchanges of sporting events with South African teams selected under apartheid policies, the Olympic Committee of the USSR recommended that Soviet representatives in international sports organizations should work to uphold the principle of the international olympic movement that no discrimination should be allowed on the ground of race, religion or political affiliation and to isolate the South African racists from the world sports movement ... I. .

- 25 - UNITED KINGDOM The United Kingdom abstained on General Assembly resolution 2775 D (XXVI) of 29 November 1971. In subsequent communications to the Special Committee concerning sports contacts between the United Kingdom and South African teams, the Representative of the United Kingdom stated that while his Government did not approve of the practice of apartheid in sport, it was their longstanding view that decisions about sporting contacts with South Africa should be left to the sporting bodies. In a letter addressed to the Special Committee in September 1975, the Representative drew attention to the following statement made by the Secretary of State for yoie!,gr" and Commonwealth Affairs in the House of Commons on 4 December 1974: "The Government regards sporting contacts with South Africa so long as selection on the basis of race or colour is maintained, as repugnant, and they will receive no official support or approval. The Government asksorganisations and individuals to take serious note of this policy, although we shall, clearly, not interfere with their right to decide these matters for themselves." UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA In a letter dated 26 May 1972, addressed to the SecretaryGeneral, the Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania stated: "The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania adheres strictly to the Olympic principle of non-discrimination in all activities. In consequence of this, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania does not allow the Tanzanian Olympic team to participate in sporting events with organisations which violate this principle." "In authorizing the Presidum of the National Olympic Committee of the USSR to transmit this letter to you, the Olympic Committee of the USSR expressed the feelings of all Soviet sportsment who are opposed to the policy of racial discrimination and apartheid in sports. I can assure you that Soviet sportsmen and sports organizations will always be guided by a feeling of international solidarity with those struggling against racism and racial discrimination in all its forms and manifestations."

- 26 - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA In a letter dated 9 August 1972, addressed to the Vice-Chairman of the Special Committee, the Permanent Representative of the United States stated: "The U. S. Government should like to point out that in voting in favour of resolution 2775 D, the U.S. Delegation noted that U.S. sports organizations, as well as U.S. particip ation in International Sports Organizations are independent of the U.S. Government. Although the U.S. Government supports the general aims of the resolution it is not in a position to influence directly its sports organizations or their role in international groups. "For the reasons noted above, the U.S. Government did not act upon operative paragraphs 5 and 10 of resolution 2775 D, with regard to the Davis Cup Competition. It could be assumed that the Secretary-General would have brought resolution 2775 D, to the attention of the Davis Cup Organization under operative paragraph 11 of that resolution." This position was expressed in a number of other communications from the United States Mission to the Special Committee. VENEZUELA On 24 October 1972, the representative of Venezuela stated in the Special Political Committee: "With regard to the inclusion of the South African team in the Latin American Group of the Davis Cup, her delegation wishes to state that Venezuela would not allow the South African players to participate in the tournament on its territory, nor would it allow its own players to meet them in any other country, because It considers that any kind of support, whether direct or indirect, to the racist Government of South Africa, merely served its purposes and strengthened it. Furthermore, Venezuelan sportsmen would not take part in any kind of competition with South Africans. In the recent 6Cympic Games, Venezuelan sportsmen had participated in the activities which had led to the expulsion of the Rhodesian team. They had not acted under pressure from the Venezuelan Government and had merely been motivated by the conviction that racism was a crime against humanity and that any regime based on that principle should be isolated from the international community."

- 27 YEME'N In a note dated 7 Febrlary 19(, addressed to the SecretaryGeneral, the Permanent Representative of the Yemen Arab Republic stated that his Goveriment would strictly obserm the provisions of General Assembly resolution 2775 (XXVI). YUGOSLAVIA At its 215th meeting, on 3 July 1972, the Special Committee took note of a letter from the Permanent Representative of Yugoslavia informing it that he declined an invitation from the United States Tennis Association to be an honorary guest at the United States Open Tennis Championship at Forest Hills, New York. He had declined the invitation on the ground that the South African Ambassador and South African players had also been invited to participate. ZAMBIA In a note dated 25 June 1972, addressed to the SecretaryGeneral, the Permanent Representative of Zambia stated: "In the field of sport, the Zambia Ministry of Labour and Social Services, which is charged with the responsibility for sport, had made it abundantly clear to all sporting bodies in Zambia that the Government's policy is based on participation in sport by all countries and people on equal footing barring all considerations on account of race, colour, creed, etc. Sporting bodies have accordingly been instructed to refrain from participating in any sports activities, local or international, where South Africa is represented. Zambia has in fact been in the forefront in the fight against apartheid in sport at international sports conferences and has adhered to the principles and ideals of the Olympic movement of nondiscrimination in sports based on racial, religious, political or any other consideration."