| The Australian government is considering legal action | | | | Downer has told parliament that the proposed tour |
| to stop the country's national cricket team from | | | | must be canceled. |
| playing in Zimbabwe later this year. Officials are | | | | "The fact is, the Australian cricket team is caught in a |
| determined to stop the cricket world champions from | | | | political situation of no making of its own. And that is |
| appearing to give support to Zimbabwean President | | | | that if it were to go to Zimbabwe, it would create |
| Robert Mugabe. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports. | | | | great political controversy," he said. "Back here in |
| The Australian government says that if its cricketers | | | | Australia, there's no doubt that in Zimbabwe, |
| traveled to Zimbabwe, it would hand a propaganda | | | | President Mugabe and his regime would make |
| victory to President Robert Mugabe. | | | | propaganda capital out of such a visit." |
| The Australian national team won the cricket World | | | | Canberra has been one of the sternest critics of the |
| Cup in the Caribbean last month, giving it an especially | | | | Mugabe regime, and Australia's cricketers have |
| high profile. Canberra wants no hint that Australia | | | | canceled previous tours to Zimbabwe. |
| supports the Mugabe regime, which has been | | | | In 2005, the government of neighboring New Zealand |
| accused of sweeping human rights violations and of | | | | refused to issue visas to the Zimbabwe team as a |
| leading the country into despair and chaos. | | | | protest against the Mugabe government. |
| Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has even offered | | | | But Australian cricket executives say they are dealing |
| to pay a $2 million fine that might be imposed by | | | | with "a very difficult and complex issue." |
| cricket's world governing body if the trip were | | | | They say that while they are aware of their |
| abandoned. | | | | government's concerns, they do have to fulfill |
| Downer has held emergency talks with Australian | | | | international obligations. |
| cricket officials. The government is also looking into | | | | Australia's tour of the southern African nation would |
| taking legal action to prevent the team from playing | | | | include three one-day matches, and is scheduled to |
| in Zimbabwe if no agreement can be reached. | | | | start in September. |