ICC President advises New Zealand minister that ICC regulations will not change

ICC President Ehsan Mani today wrote to New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hon Phil Goff, to say that there would be no change to the ICC's Future Tours Program regulations.

"The issue of cricket tours to Zimbabwe is one the Board of the International Cricket Council has considered on several occasions, most recently at its meeting in Ireland on 29 June 2005," said Mr Mani in his letter.

"It has reached a firm policy decision that is enshrined in the ICC's regulations dealing with the Future Tours Program (FTP).

"In short, the Board recognises that issues of the relationships between countries are driven by politicians and governments that are elected by the people to deal with these political issues.

"It is also recognised that governments will, from time to time, elect to use sporting sanctions as a tool in their foreign policy programs. Our members accept and respect that where this clear directive is given by a national government, the obligations of the FTP will not apply.

"The FTP is the basis on which cricket around the world is able to function and it underpins the health of the game.

"This view in no way endorses the political regime or policies in any of our member countries. It simply reflects the reality that it is for governments and politicians that are elected, to grapple with the complexities and difficulties of international relations between countries.

"The ICC is made up of 96 nations from across the world with a wide range of views and political systems, with a common interest in playing cricket."

The FTP was discussed at the most recent meeting of the ICC Board on 29 June and no country sought to have this policy reviewed.