Samaranch denies statement on Hasan

Samaranch denies statement on Hasan

JAKARTA (JP): President of the International Olympics
Committee (IOC) Juan Antonio Samaranch told a press conference in
Sydney on Thursday that he never issued a statement, which became
headlines in Australian newspapers, asking the Indonesian
government to release Mohammad "Bob" Hasan to enable him to
attend the Olympic Games opening ceremony on Friday.

"I think there were no words in my letter to the President of
Indonesia urging the government to release Mr. Bob Hasan. I just
said that the IOC has a good relationships with sports in
Indonesia," the former Spanish diplomat was quoted by Antara as
saying.

"Mr. Bob is the former president of the Asian Amateur
Athletics Association (AAAA) and chairman of the Indonesian
Amateur Athletics Association (PASI). What we know is that he may
not be guilty," he said.

Samaranch's letter to President Abdurrahman Wahid was sent on
April 26 and copies were distributed at the Media Press Center at
the Olympic Park in Homebush Bay, Sydney, two days ago.

The letter then became a headline on The Australian daily
which was followed by other newspapers and news agencies.

In the three-paragraph letter, Samaranch wrote: "Mr President.
I have been following closely the progress of Indonesian citizens
under your leadership. I hope you can bring the country into
success and wealth, peace and understanding."

"IOC enjoys a good relationship with Indonesian sports
organizations. As you have known, Mr Bob Hasan is a member of the
IOC representing Indonesia and has served for international and
continental organizations specially in athletics. We hope
Indonesia sends its strongest team to the 27th Olympic Games in
Sydney in September."

"Your support for sports development and Olympics movement in
Indonesia and also the volunteers involved in sports activities
are highly appreciated." (yan)