A spokesman for the Third Asian Games Organization Committee here today criticized the Times of Indonesia, influential Indonesian news-paper, for suggesting that Israel and two other nations be excluded from the 1962 Asian games in Djakarta for political reasons.
In suggesting editorially that Israel, Formosa and the Republic of Korea be excluded from the games, the paper wrote: “To permit the Israelis to send their competitors here would bring to the breaking point our relationship with the Arab states. To ask Formosa would provoke an open breach with (Communist) China. As we have not established relations with either of the Koreas it would be wrong to let Seoul send its athletes to Indonesia.”
Despite the fact that all three nations competed in the Third Asian games held last May in Tokyo, the Indonesian newspaper added: “It is our duty to let intending participants know who will and who will not be acceptable. It would be imprudent and in bad taste to invite Israel, Formosa and South Korea.”
In Tokyo, a spokesman for the Third Asian Games Organizing Committee said, “An invitation from the organizing committee in Djakarta is unnecessary. If Israel, Formosa and the Republic of Korea want to compete, they can do so–with or without Djakarta’s permission.” The Straits Times of Singapore also took issue with the Indonesian newspaper and pointed out: “Indonesia cannot pick and choose her visitors. Every member of the (Asian Games) Federation has the right to compete in the games; the host country has no say.”
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