Israel, Portugal not to use their flags, anthems at c'ship

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)