Nasution backs seminar on Sukarno's speech<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A ministerial plan to hold a seminar about the
\nimpeachment of the nation's first president, Sukarno, received a
\nboost yesterday from Gen. (ret) Abdul Haris Nasution, who said
\nthat it was necessary to \"straighten up history.\"<\/p>\n
Nasution, who in 1966 chaired the Provisional People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPRS), which rejected Sukarno's
\naccountability speech and later impeached him, said that the
\nseminar could go on, but should be delayed until after the May 29
\ngeneral elections.<\/p>\n
\"The seminar should go on...to straighten up Indonesian
\nhistorical facts. It is expected to reveal the truth behind the
\ntransfer of the country's leadership\" Nasution told State
\nMinister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman who first
\nsuggested the seminar. The seminar plans have been controversial.
\nSome people have supported the idea, whilst others have argued
\nthat it will only open up old wounds.<\/p>\n
\"The seminar should be delayed until after the poll because
\neverybody is preoccupied with preparations for the elections\"
\nNasution said.<\/p>\n
Hayono visited Nasution at his residence in order to solicit
\nhis support. Despite offering some criticism, Hayono argued that
\nthe seminar would benefit the generation born after the events
\nwhich lead to the impeachment.<\/p>\n
\"Many young people say that Sukarno was unconstitutionally
\nunseated. They believe the first president was toppled in a
\ncoup,\" Hayono said.<\/p>\n
Nasution chaired the special session of the assembly which
\nrejected Sukarno's accountability speech, titled Nawaksara (nine
\npoints), on June 22, 1966.<\/p>\n
Sukarno gave the speech in response to questions to the
\nassembly on his stance on the failed coup attempt in 1965 which
\nwas blamed on the now outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).<\/p>\n
During the visit yesterday, Nasution made some suggestions to
\nHayono, including managing the planned seminar in such a way as
\nto impart to the participants a maximum understanding of the
\ncontext in which Sukarno's speech was delivered.<\/p>\n
Nasution also told Hayono of his own experience in the
\nstruggle for independence, in the military operation against the
\nrevolt of the communist party, known as the Black Sept. 30
\nMovement, the accountability speech, and the March 11, 1966
\nmandate from Sukarno to Soeharto to restore order.<\/p>\n
Nasution later presented Hayono with a collection of his
\nbooks.<\/p>\n
Hayono, who will turn 42 on April 25, said he would soon
\nreport to President Soeharto about yesterday's meeting.<\/p>\n
He denied speculation that he had been ordered by Soeharto to
\nmeet Nasution. \"This visit has been the initiative of the office
\nof State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports,\" said Hayono, who
\nis also chairman of the organizing committee of the seminar.<\/p>\n
He said that he will request that Nasution be an advisor to
\nthe seminar.<\/p>\n
The committee will also invite historians Roeslan Abdulgani
\nand Abdul Kadir to speak at the seminar, whose teachings will be
\nincorporated into curriculums at elementary schools to university
\nlevels.<\/p>\n
\"The younger generation has no knowledge of the accountability
\nspeech because it's never been included in the school's
\ncurriculum,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Abdurrahman Wahid of the 30 million-strong
\nNahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization called on members to
\ndistance themselves from the planned seminar, including
\nrefraining from making comments.<\/p>\n
Speaking in Blitar, East Java, on Monday, Abdurrahman said
\nthat the seminar was not irrelevant to the present situation.
\n\"Besides, it has created too great a controversy in the press,\"
\nhe said, as quoted by Antara. (imn)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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