A G30S white book?

A G30S white book?

The plan to publish a white book, an official report of
government affairs -- and the controversies which it will
certainly raise -- may once again become the talk of the day. A
fortnight ago a veteran politician and former leading figure of
the Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI), Manai Sophiaan, published
his book, Homage where homage is due: Bung Karno Uninvolved in
the G30S PKI Affair. The 320-page volume is, according to the
author's enduring close associate Roeslan Abdulgani, "is an all-
out plea in favor of Bung Karno (the late President Sukarno) and
an attestation that Bung Karno was not involved in the move
instigated by the PKI (Indonesian Communist Party).

Former Home Minister Rudini found it necessary to comment on
the matter. According to the chairman of the Indonesian Institute
for Strategic Studies (LPSI) Manai Sophiaan is entitled to his
views. "He did have proof which led to such a conclusion. The
only thing to do now is to compare it with the white book."

In Rudini's view the right time to publish the white book is
next year, exactly 30 years after the bloody event. In many
countries the time limit to maintain the secrecy of documents is
indeed 30 years. It is assumed that in that time span the actors
in the drama have passed away. Or at least the "heat" of emotions
has died and the related events can be discussed objectively and
in a neutral manner. According to Rudini there should be no
political or psychological considerations coloring the white
book. In other words, Rudini is suggesting that the methodology
used in compiling the white book is one that is commonly used and
is widely accepted by scholars in writing works of
historiography. Seen from that point of view, the writing of a
historiography on the G30S affair -- or on any affair for that
matter -- should pose no problems.

Difficulties arise when the effort is closely related with the
interests of the power holders -- or more precisely, with the
perpetuation of those interests, and with the legitimation for a
continuation of their power. In any case we appreciate the
government's intentions and also Rudini's suggestion that the
white book be published as soon as possible. It should however be
realized that the reconstruction of a past affair of such wide
and intense implications can never lay claim to offering the
absolute truth.

-- Republika, Jakarta