Pressure mounts against Israel in archery meet
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)