'Allow Israel, Portugal to attend sporting event'

'Allow Israel, Portugal to attend sporting event'

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia would not be compromising its foreign
policy by allowing Israel and Portugal to participate in a
sporting event to be held in Jakarta by the International Olympic
Committee, a former cabinet minister said yesterday.

Speaking at a forum of former Indonesian ambassadors, Emil
Salim said that the participation of the two countries, with
which Indonesia does not have diplomatic ties, would be in
accordance with protocol. He said the Indonesian people should
distinguish between political events and sporting events
organized by an international body.

"We have to convey to our people that it is not Indonesia
which is holding the event, it doesn't mean Indonesia will then
recognize them," the former senior cabinet minister asserted.

Jakarta has been chosen to host the 38th World Outdoor Archery
Championships which will take place between Aug. 1 and Aug. 6.
The event is scheduled to be opened by President Soeharto.

As members of the World Archery Body (FITA), Portugal and
Israel are required to attend, especially since the Championships
are the qualifying round for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta in
the United States.

Lisbon severed diplomatic ties with Jakarta after its
integration of the former Portuguese colony of East Timor in
1976, while the state of Israel is not recognized by Indonesia.

"Our attitude in facing international events, such as Olympic
sports events, international professional meetings or
international conferences which are apolitical in nature should
be assessed with a clear mind," he said.

Emil argued that such practices should be accepted because
they were a part of sports protocol.

"The custom of hoisting the flag or playing the national
anthem of countries we consider 'enemies' should be allowed in
accordance with the international protocol," he said.

Emil said he expected several sections of society to express
opposition to his views. "I know there will be community leaders
here who will clamor over the issue. That's why there is a need
to solve the problem domestically."

Invitation

Meanwhile the deputy executive chairman of the Championship's
organizing committee, Udi Harsono, told journalists yesterday
that no decision had yet been reached in relation to the dilemma.

"Thus far this matter has not been solved. I can't offer any
comments," said Udi, who is also deputy secretary-general of the
Indonesian Archery Association.

Udi said 62 countries had agreed to take part in the
Championships. FITA has 105 member countries.

Informed sources at the association told The Jakarta Post
yesterday that Portugal and Israel were among the countries that
had expressed a desire to take part in the Championships. This
implies the committee has already invited the two countries.

According to Emil Salim, allowing Portugal and Israel to
participate in the Championships would boost Indonesia's image.

"It would show the maturity of the nation. We are no longer a
minor nation, no longer immature," he said.

He said that the country should be forward-looking in its
approach and free itself from the anchor of the past because, he
continued, the problems of tomorrow should not be assessed merely
on the basis of the past.

While stressing that Indonesia should not move from its
current position, Emil said the disputes between Jakarta and
Lisbon would one day be resolved.

"What about in 2005 or 2010?" he asked, adding that "the
Indonesian people should be cultivated to become more mature in
facing the changes occurring in the world." (arf/mds)