http://www.aussie-talk.com/forum/showthr...64#pid1264

Here`s what part of this post reads:-

Quote:Aussie government wants Zimbabwe tour scrapped

SYDNEY - The Australian government has called on the national cricket team to cancel their planned tour of Zimbabwe for later this year.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he would meet with Cricket Australia officials this week in the hope of persuading them to scrap the three-match tour, scheduled for September.

Waht do you think, should politicians ever get involved in sports decisions?

I believe that certain circumstances, such as the outrageous treatment of his fellow countrymen meted out by that Despot Mugabe, should invoke a political response using whatever means possible, in this case, the ICC's Aussie tour of Zimbabwe.

Yes I`m very tempted to agree. Anything that gives some sort of approval to a despotic regime like the one in Zimbabwe must be discouraged.

That then raises the question though over other country`s politics, and whether they have anything which could be called an abuse of human rights.

Look at China, parts of Eastern Europe including Russia itself, and other places where some would say human rights are being trodden on. How far should politicians go in saying that until the situation is corrected visiting sports teams shouldn`t go and play there. It happened with South Africa, why not other places?

I think you will find most Aussies will support Howard in this one. A despot is a despot no matter how many times he cries "racists"