Israel, Portugal not to use their flags, anthems at c'ship
JAKARTA (JP): Senior government officials have confirmed that Portugal and Israel will not be using their national anthems and flags in an international archery championship here next week.
Assistant to State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Imam Suyudi, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that a ministerial decree issued in 1988 bars the use of national flags and anthems of countries which Indonesia does not recognize or with whom it has no diplomatic relations.
However, he pointed out that based on Decree 0025/1988 of the State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, the country's names can be used.
Jakarta has been chosen by the World Archery Body (FITA) as the venue for the 38th World Outdoor Archery Championships. President Soeharto is scheduled to open the six-day tournament on Aug. 1, 1995.
The tournament is an extremely important event for FITA members since it is also a qualification round for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
The participation of Portugal and Israel has since raised many questions here because Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with either country.
Lisbon broke-off diplomatic ties following the integration of East Timor in 1976, while Indonesia does not recognize the state of Israel.
In 1991 a tennis match played between Indonesia and Israel during a youth tournament in Bombay, India, created an uproar at home, forcing the National Tennis Association to make a public apology.
An official at the Indonesian Archery Association told the Post that FITA President Jim Easton has suggested that Portugal and Israel take part under the FITA flag.
The official, who asked for anonymity, said the FITA president had gone further in suggesting that they also use the FITA name instead of their own country.
Meanwhile another official at the foreign ministry said that both Israel and Portugal had accepted to compete under FITA's emblem and flag.
He underlined that the event was organized by the International Olympic Committee and could in no way be interpreted as a reflection of Indonesia's foreign policy towards those two countries.
The official said that their entrance would not be a problem since Indonesia would not be facing or competing directly with the Portuguese or Israeli athletes.
Article 1 of the ministerial decree allows Indonesian sporting teams to compete as long as they do not "directly face/compete" with the countries with whom the country has no relations.
Imam Suyudi noted that it was important for the organizers to "minimize the possibility of their competing".
He illustrated that Israel or Portugal could be placed on the far right side of the field while Indonesia could be on the far left.
The spokesmen for the influential Indonesian Committee for World Moslem Solidarity, Ahmad Sumargono, has expressed concern with Israel's participation in the event.
He warned that the very mention of Israel would spark unwarranted sentiments in society and suggested that the Israeli athletes not bear the name of their country during the tournament.
"Just seeing the name of Israel could evoke bitter emotions," he told the Post.
When asked of the possible public reactions, Imam Suyudi hoped it would not become a major problem since Indonesia has had contact with both countries in a non-political forum, pointing to the participation of the Portuguese in the annual National Youth March organized by Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, the daughter of President Soeharto.
Two years ago, the government was criticized when it allowed Israel and South Africa to participate at the World Tourism Organization event, which Indonesia hosted in Denpasar, Bali.
"I hope there won't be a problem and that both countries will attend," Imam Suyudi said of Israel's and Portugal's attendance at the archery championships. (arf/mds)