Arrow fly over Israel, Portugal in archery meet

JAKARTA (JP): The government promised yesterday to consider the Moslem community's objection to the participation of Israel in an international archery meet here next week.

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman said that the government was "taking note" of certain reactions to Israel's possible participation.

Soesilo refused to say whether the government is more inclined to refuse or accept Israel's participation. But he said that he hoped that Israel would decide, of its own volition, not to participate.

"We'll do our best to heed the wish of the public, as well as the demands of the international (archery) organization which has chosen Indonesia to host the event," he said after meeting with ministers and senior officials under his coordination.

Related government agencies are working to help the Indonesian Archery Body (Perpani) find the best solution to the problem, he added.

Meanwhile, Donald M. Lovo, vice president of the World Archery Body, FITA, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that "it is difficult for FITA to impose any sanctions on Perpani if it bars Israel from the games.

After all, it is the Indonesian government, not Perpani, which is preventing Israel from coming, he said.

But if any countries, say, Portugal or Israel, lodge an official protest, it will go to FITA's board of justice. Whether or not FITA will penalize Perpani will depend on a FITA congress, he added.

Lovo said FITA did not anticipate the problem when Indonesia entered its bid to host the championships in 1991. Israel confirmed its participation only a few weeks ago

"At that time we had no idea about Indonesian foreign policy. Perpani also did not indicate to us that Indonesia had such a policy. We assume that Perpani must have understood FITA's constitution, which bars discrimination against any race or religion.."

Lovo said he has tried hard to settle the matter but it seems that "I was not successful in bringing it to a satisfactory end."

Perpani announced last week that it was inviting Israel and Portugal along with 103 other member countries to take part in the 38th World Outdoor Archery Championships from Aug. 1 to 6, the first qualifying round for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Indonesia does not have diplomatic ties with either Israel or Portugal. Jakarta does not recognize the existence of the state of Israel, while Lisbon broke off diplomatic relations after East Timor integrated with Indonesia in 1976.

Based on a 1988 decree, Indonesia forbids any country it does not recognize to play its national anthem or raise its flag on Indonesian soil.

Abdurrahman Wahid, the controversial leader of the 30-million- strong Moslem Nahdlatul Ulama came out in his usual fashion, swimming against the tide as he often does in controversial issues.

He said that he saw nothing wrong with Indonesia welcoming Israel's participation, stressing that religious belief should not be mixed up with the sporting event.

"I guarantee that the Indonesian public would not do anything (if Israel participates)," Abdurrahman, more popularly known as Gus Dur, said here on late Wednesday.

Gus Dur, who himself made a controversial visit to Israel last year, said that Indonesian Moslems have no religious edicts to prevent the Israelis from visiting.

"On what grounds do we want to refuse the Israeli delegation's visit? On religious reasons?" he challenged. "Religious rules are irrelevant (in such cases). Israelis believe in God. We recognize and hoist the flags of countries who don't believe in God, such as China and Russia."

When asked about the National Sports Council's view on the matter, Arie Sudewo, the council's vice chairman, said that as of yesterday evening: "We don't know if the government will make way for Israel's entry or not, but whatever the government finally decides, we will follow."

Harry Wuryasto, the spokesman of the 38th World Outdoor Archery Championships organizing committee, confided to the Post yesterday that chairman of the Indonesian Archery Association Oetojo Oesman will announce the government's decision in a press conference this morning.

Informed sources at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports also told the Post that Oetojo met with President Soeharto at Bina Graha yesterday and that the decision has already been made. (swe/arf)