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