31 December 2003
TO LOBBY ICC MEMBERS
A FCO spokesman said today of the Australian Government''s decision to lobby ICC members on the boycott of the Zimbabwe cricket tour in February:
"We welcome the Australian Government''s announcement. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer briefed the Foreign Secretary on the proposal yesterday.
The Australian Government''s action reflects the position that we have been expressing to the ECB - and through them - to the ICC since October.
The cricket authorities should take their decision on whether to play these matches in Zimbabwe against the background of what is happening there - a humanitarian and political crisis.
Like the British Government, the Australian Government is clear that this is a decision that only the cricket authorities can take.
Like the Australian PM and Foreign Minister, the view of British Ministers is well known: that it would be better if these matches were not played in Zimbabwe at this time."
News Department, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AH
