A.T.P. defends tournaments in S. Africa

Press, 29 June 1989, Page 32

A.T.P. defends tournaments in S. Africa

NZPA-AP Wimbledon The organisation set to take control of men’s tennis defends its scheduling of two tournaments in South Africa, saying sports venues should not be determined by politics. Hamilton Jordan, the head of the Association of Tennis Professionals, which will run the men’s tour beginning in 1990, yesterday said the decision to play in South Africa remained under discussion. But Mr Jordan said it would be wrong to single out South Africa and its system of racial segregation, while allowing tournaments in countries such as Israel, China and the Soviet Union that also have been criticised for human rights abuses. "Where do you draw the line on political judgments? I could make the argument that Iran should not have a Davis Cup team,” Mr Jordan said. Mr Jordan, who was the White House chief of staff for former President Jimmy Carter, rejected criticism by organisations with strong anti-apartheid stands such as the International Olympic Committee. He accused the committee of hypocrisy, pointing out that it held the Olympics in Moscow in 1980.

The United States, under President Carter, boycotted the Moscow Games to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. “The 1.0. C. held the Olympics in the capital city of the aggressor that year,” Mr Jordan said. The 1990 A.T.P. Tour will include an event in Capetown, South Africa, in April and a tournament in Johannesburg in October. It also will feature events in China, the Soviet Union, Israel and several in the United States. Mr Jordan said the Soviet Union had a poor record on Jewish emigration. He also pointed to Israel’s actions against Palestinian protesters and China’s moves against pro-democracy activists, as well as black poverty in the United States. The A.T.P. is committed to the Capetown tournament for one year and to the Johannesburg event for three years, Mr Jordan said, but added that the South African issue was under continual review by the association’s directors. "We’re not blind to the situation,” he said. "But you either accept the proposition that politics and sports should be kept separate, or you don't.”