Calls rise for truth behind 'PKI coup'
Muhammad Nafik and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Demands have resurfaced for the government to reveal the truth behind the abortive Sept. 30, 1965, coup as a perquisite for reconciliation between the victims and those involved in one of the world's worst tragedies, the seeds of which have been blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).
The government was also urged to enforce the law against the masterminds, including CIA agents, behind the bloody coup attempt and its consequences, which lead to the deaths of more than 500,000 people, including seven Army generals.
"Reconciliation is impossible before the true history of the tragedy is first divulged and justice is meted out to those responsible," said Dita Indah Sari, a senior member of the leftist People's Democratic Party (PRD).
She was speaking at a seminar titled Solving Historical Conflicts by Means of Truth and Reconciliation here on Monday, which also featured People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Deputy Speaker Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo and political analyst Harry Tjan Silalahi from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
James D. Filgo, who once oversaw the International Military Education and Training Program (IMET) at the U.S. Embassy, was also among the speakers.
The seminar also discussed Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) documents showing America's involvement in the Sept. 30, 1965, tragedy.
Harry and Agus, the sons of Soetojo Siswomihardjo, one of the seven murdered generals, also backed calls for the rewriting of the coup history to spell out the truth following the release of the CIA documents.
"Rewriting the history is now a must to uncover the truth. History is never over when new facts are discovered," Harry said, adding that the desire for revenge on the part of the victims should now be converted into a desire for reconciliation.
But the statements from Harry, Agus and Filgo sparked strong reactions from among the audience, mostly victims and opponents of former strongman Soeharto's New Order regime, as the three speakers appeared to defend the CIA's key role in the coup.
Harry said the intervention by the CIA in the domestic affairs of Indonesia and other countries was "normal" during the Cold War between capitalists in the West and socialists led by Russia. His remark was echoed by Agus and Filgo.
Dita, who chairs the PRD's National Front for Indonesian Labor Struggle (FNBI), however rebuffed the claims, saying such a systematic conspiracy was "abnormal" as it led to the killing of 500,000 or more people, and other disastrous consequences.
Separately on Monday, the children of the seven assassinated generals and the descendants of deceased PKI supporters, similarly demanded that the government reveal the truth behind the failed coup.
At the launching of a book titled Kunang-kunang Kebenaran di Langit Malam (Fireflies of the Truth in the Night Sky), Catherine, the eldest daughter of Brig. Gen. D.I. Panjaitan, said that none of the generals' children harbored resentment against PKI supporters and their descendants.
Megawati to miss ceremony
In an unprecedented move, President Megawati Soekarnopoutri is not to attend the solemn annual ceremony to commemorate the 1965 abortive coup here on Tuesday, presidential sources said on Monday.
It was not clear why she would not attend the commemoration, to be held at the Lubang Buaya monument in East Jakarta, where the bodies of seven Army generals were dumped.
Sources close to the presidential palace said they could not say why Megawati had decided to skip the commemoration, which three former presidents, Soeharto, B.J. Habibie and Abdurrahman Wahid, never missed.
Her absence is expected to raise speculation among analysts and the public at large.