Berkley raps Pakistan in tennis controversy

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 | 9:50 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., one of Congress' most outspoken pro-Israeli members, fired an overhead smash into the controversy surrounding the professional tennis pairing of a Jewish and Muslim doubles team.

The players, Amir Hadad of Israel and Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan, were widely cheered for teaming up at Wimbledon earlier this month. Observers said they set an example of teamwork and friendship for warring Jews and Muslims.

But the two also drew fire from critics in both nations who denounced the pairing. The Pakistan Tennis Federation and Pakistan Sports Board initially threatened to punish Qureshi, and are said to be considering barring him from the U.S. Open and from playing on Pakistan's Davis Cup team.

Berkley, who is Jewish, sent a letter to Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, condemning the two Pakistani sports groups.

"As Pakistan seeks to foster stronger ties with the international community, it is essential that it embrace the values of tolerance and diversity," Berkley wrote in a July 8 letter.

Berkley, as a member of the International Relations Committee, has taken a keen interest in Pakistan's involvement in the war on terrorism and its relationship with neighbor India. She toured India for a week in January, while the two nuclear-armed nations were involved in a tense standoff.