Nasution backs seminar on Sukarno's speech

JAKARTA (JP): A ministerial plan to hold a seminar about the impeachment of the nation's first president, Sukarno, received a boost yesterday from Gen. (ret) Abdul Haris Nasution, who said that it was necessary to "straighten up history."

Nasution, who in 1966 chaired the Provisional People's Consultative Assembly (MPRS), which rejected Sukarno's accountability speech and later impeached him, said that the seminar could go on, but should be delayed until after the May 29 general elections.

"The seminar should go on...to straighten up Indonesian historical facts. It is expected to reveal the truth behind the transfer of the country's leadership" Nasution told State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman who first suggested the seminar. The seminar plans have been controversial. Some people have supported the idea, whilst others have argued that it will only open up old wounds.

"The seminar should be delayed until after the poll because everybody is preoccupied with preparations for the elections" Nasution said.

Hayono visited Nasution at his residence in order to solicit his support. Despite offering some criticism, Hayono argued that the seminar would benefit the generation born after the events which lead to the impeachment.

"Many young people say that Sukarno was unconstitutionally unseated. They believe the first president was toppled in a coup," Hayono said.

Nasution chaired the special session of the assembly which rejected Sukarno's accountability speech, titled Nawaksara (nine points), on June 22, 1966.

Sukarno gave the speech in response to questions to the assembly on his stance on the failed coup attempt in 1965 which was blamed on the now outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

During the visit yesterday, Nasution made some suggestions to Hayono, including managing the planned seminar in such a way as to impart to the participants a maximum understanding of the context in which Sukarno's speech was delivered.

Nasution also told Hayono of his own experience in the struggle for independence, in the military operation against the revolt of the communist party, known as the Black Sept. 30 Movement, the accountability speech, and the March 11, 1966 mandate from Sukarno to Soeharto to restore order.

Nasution later presented Hayono with a collection of his books.

Hayono, who will turn 42 on April 25, said he would soon report to President Soeharto about yesterday's meeting.

He denied speculation that he had been ordered by Soeharto to meet Nasution. "This visit has been the initiative of the office of State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports," said Hayono, who is also chairman of the organizing committee of the seminar.

He said that he will request that Nasution be an advisor to the seminar.

The committee will also invite historians Roeslan Abdulgani and Abdul Kadir to speak at the seminar, whose teachings will be incorporated into curriculums at elementary schools to university levels.

"The younger generation has no knowledge of the accountability speech because it's never been included in the school's curriculum," he said.

Separately, Abdurrahman Wahid of the 30 million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization called on members to distance themselves from the planned seminar, including refraining from making comments.

Speaking in Blitar, East Java, on Monday, Abdurrahman said that the seminar was not irrelevant to the present situation. "Besides, it has created too great a controversy in the press," he said, as quoted by Antara. (imn)