Pressure mounts against Israel in archery meet

JAKARTA (JP): Pressure is mounting for the government to reject Israel's participation in an international sporting event just days before it is due to start.

Public and religious figures suggested yesterday the government reconsider the participation of Israel in the 38th World Outdoor Archery Championships being held here between Aug. 1 and 6, cautioning that mass protests could arise.

"Their presence will create far reaching consequences," warned Anwar Haryono, chairman of the Indonesian Council for Islamic Propagation.

Despite arguments by some officials that politics should be separated from sporting events, Anwar argued that such issues were inseparable.

"I am calling on the government to reject their participation," he said.

The influential Islamic Committee for World Moslem Solidarity also warned that Israel's participation would stir trouble.

Political scientist Juwono Sudarsono also feels that Israel shouldn't take part in the tournament.

"It is better that they not participate. It is best that by their own volition they do not attend," Juwono remarked yesterday.

Jakarta was chosen by the World Archery Body (FITA) as the venue of the championships which also serve as the a qualifying round to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, U.S. All FITA members must therefore participate in the tournament.

Indonesia does not have diplomatic ties with both Israel and Portugal. Lisbon broke off diplomatic relations after the integration of East Timor by Indonesia in 1976, while Jakarta does not recognize the existence of the state of Israel.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday that the matter is still being discussed by the various agencies responsible for the tournament, but added that the foreign ministry has always been consistent in its position of having no relations with Israel.

"In the past we have always maintained a policy of not having matches with Israel or even accepting them here in Indonesia," he said.

Despite Indonesia's oft stated position, the government allowed Israeli Prime Minister Yithzak Rabin to visit in a private capacity in 1993.

Juwono regrets the Indonesian Archery Association's failure to consult other government agencies before accepting to host the championship.

"They should have first consulted the foreign ministry," he said adding that even the most technical activities contain a political dimension.

"There is no activity, no matter how technical, which is void of politics," he said.

Juwono rebuffed claims that by rejecting Israel Indonesia would be committing an anti-semitic act. He further accused the International Olympic Committee of discriminatingly giving benefits to Israel.

"Even the IOC is not free of political interests. Their officials represent the concerns of the rich countries and Israel," he said. (mds)