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 OLYMPIC COMMITTEE BANS NEW AFGHAN FLAG Wed Feb 06 2002 10:52:51 ET **Exclusive** The International Olympic Committee has banned the flag representing a newly-liberated Afghanistan from being flown at the opening ceremonies, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned. Afghan diplomats planned for a single female Afghan athlete to carry the new flag, symbolizing its new role in the world. Justified concern of the IOC's treatment of the American WTC flag has obscured an equally-painful slight: the IOC's refusal to allow Afghanistan a rare chance to be seen as part of the world of nations by allowing the country's new flag to be flown at the games. Afghan's new ambassador in Washington, D.C., Haron Amin, is hopeful his contacts at the U.N. might break the deadlock with the IOC in time for the opening ceremonies, top sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT. The IOC and Afghanistan have been battling over the flag since December. PRECEDENT IS EAST TIMOR Shortly before its independence after a savage civil war, the IOC allowed the nation of East Timor a berth in the opening parade as a gesture of welcome. The Afghan community, especially in the United States, is concerned the IOC snub implies second-class status for a nation eager to re-join the free world. MORE One of Afghanistan's first acts since its liberation by International armed forces was to inform the IOC its intention to re-join the games. Afghanistan has fielded Olympic teams since 1936 -- interrupted only the Soviet invasion in 1978 and the Taliban occupation later on. "The IOC's intransigence makes no sense; people fought and died for a free Afghanistan and isn't that what the Olympics are about: INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM!" a spokesperson for the Afghan embassy told the DRUDGE REPORT. Developing... |
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