Anecdotes of AA conference

Anecdotes of AA conference

When I saw my picture printed in The Jakarta Post, Sunday
April 23, 1993, page three, standing behind President Sukarno,
who was making his opening speech at the first Asia-Africa
Conference, I was very happy.

This picture revived many memories from the time when I was
acting as adjutant (ADC) to President Sukarno, for the duration
of the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung. I was at that time
lecturer of military history at the Army Staff and Command School
in Bandung, with the rank of Major.

In the context of the commemoration of the first Asia-Africa
Conference in 1995, I would like to share with the readers some
light anecdotes, which are far from being serious.

When I was not needed by Bung Karno I stayed close to Bung
Hatta, the Vice President. One day an official of the Secretariat
General reported to Bung Hatta, that there was little problem
which could become serious. The Indian delegation complained that
the Police ADC attached to their Chief Delegate was of a lower
rank than the Police ADC attached to the Pakistan's Chief
Delegate. The man reported that the problem was almost solved,
because the organizing committee managed to find another police
officer of the same rank, to replace the other one. As the
problem was solved the Indians were happy.

Another time a member of the Presidential staff approached
Bung Hatta to ask his good advice, because First Lady Ibu
Fatmawati refused to attend the official welcoming reception,
hosted by President Sukarno, because the Chief Delegate of a
certain country was accompanied by his second wife. Bung Karno
tried in vain to persuade Ibu Fatmawati to attend this important
function.

I accompanied Bung Hatta to the Governor's palace, where the
President and the First Lady stayed. Bung Hatta entered Ibu
Fatmawati's room. After about half an hour he emerged, with a
happy face and said to me that Ibu Fatmawati would be on the
receiving line standing next to Bung Karno. Another delicate
problem was solved.

As an ADC, I had more or less freedom to attend all open
meetings. Prime Minister Chou En Lai was speaking in Chinese and
the speech was interpreted into English. Apparently the
interpreter was not very good, so it seemed, because suddenly
Chou stopped his interpreter and started talking in fluent
French. He forgot his protocol to speak in Chinese. What a
situation!

On Friday all the Islamic delegates went for the Friday
prayers at the Bandung mosque. I went in one car with President
Sukarno and I considered myself a very lucky man, because I got a
place directly behind President Nasser, a very handsome man.
Being tall, handsome, always wearing his uniform, Nasser did not
lack ladies' attention during receptions.

When prayers were finished Bung Karno, with President Nasser,
was swarmed by Indonesians, who wanted to shake or kissed his
hands. Bung Karno was not at all disturbed and kept his
composure, smiling all the time, while shaking hands with
everybody.

Slowly we moved to our waiting car. When the car started
moving I discovered that I'd forgotten my shoes. I could not go
back to get my shoes and I told the President what happened. He
laughed, as I had never seen him laugh before. I was happy
because my President was happy, even though I lost my pair of new
shoes.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta