unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (10/25/89)
COMMISSION AGAINST APARTHEID IN SPORTS REPORTS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY Posting Date: 10/20/89 Copyright UNITEX Communications, 1989 UNITEX Network, USA ISSN: 1043-7932 The Commission against Apartheid in Sports this morning concluded its first session after adopting its report, as amended, to the General Assembly. The 15-member Commission was established to monitor the International Convention against Apartheid in Sports, which entered into force on 4 April 1988. In its report, the Commission, while emphasizing the role of individual sportsmen and women, teams and sports organizations, expressed the belief that certain Governments, and particularly that of the United Kingdom, should adopt more effective measures to terminate sports contacts with South Africa. Statements made this morning by members centred on amendments to the draft report and reflected their concern that the sports boycott against South Africa be expanded. Speakers included the Chairman of the Commission, James Victor Gbeho of Ghana; Abraham Ordia of Nigeria; George Zorwka of the German Democratic Republic; Besley Maycock of Barbados; Allan Rae of Jamaica; Hamad Abdelaziz Al-Kawarei of Qatar; Tesfaye Shafo of Ethiopia; and Valdimir Platonov of the Ukraine. In addition, the Committee, this morning, heard statements by Solly Simelane, observer for the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC), and Sam Ramsamy of the South Africa Non-Racial Olympic Committee. A statement was also made by Amer Araim of the Centre against Apartheid. In its conclusions and recommendations, the Commission "recognized the importance of the contribution of the International Olympic Committee in isolating South Africa from the Olympic Games" and in persuading sporting federations affiliated with the Olympic Committee to expel South Africa from membership and to terminate any sports contacts with it. The report further states that action is needed concerning other non-Olympic sports, in particular regarding the continuing contacts with South Africa in golf, rugby and other sports. Also, the Commission recommended that the General Assembly urge all States to ratify the Convention and call on all States to co-operate with the Commission and Special Committee against Apartheid in matters relating to the boycott of apartheid sports. Membership and Officers The members of the Commission, elected by States parties to the Convention, are: Hamad Abdelaziz Al-Kawari of Qatar; Ahmad Fathi Al-Masri of Syria; Ra l Gonz lez Rodriguez of Mexico; Hocine Djoudi of Algeria; James Victor Gbeho of Ghana; Lionel Hurst of Antigua and Barbuda; Besley Maycock of Barbados; Abraham Ordia of Nigeria; Vladimir Platonov of the Ukraine; Allan Rae of Jamaica; Tesfaye Shafo of Ethiopia; Claudio Teehankee of the Philippines; Boris Topornin of the Soviet Union; Zoumana Traor| of Burkina Faso; and Georg Zorowka of the German Democratic Republic. On 19 October, the Commission elected James Victor Gbeho, as Chairman, Hamad Abdelaziz Al-Kawari and Georg Zorowka, as Vice-Chairmen, and Besley Maycock as Rapporteur. States Parties To date, the following 43 States are parties to the International Convention against Apartheid in Sports: Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Byelorussia, Czechoslovakia, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Guyana, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Libya, Mali, Maruitania, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Senegal, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, USSR, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe. * Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501) --- Patt Haring | United Nations | Screen Gems in patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information | misc.headlines.unitex patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange | -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-