Politics mars Ecstasy case in Holland: Envoy

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia insisted yesterday the Ecstasy trafficking case involving an Indonesian pilot in the Netherlands had been marred by political influences.

Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands J.B. Sudarmanto Kadarisman told reporters after a meeting with President Soeharto yesterday that certain anti-Indonesian groups, in cooperation with people within the Dutch government, might have taken advantage of the Ecstasy case to disgrace Indonesia.

Mohammad Said, a senior pilot with national airline Garuda Indonesia, was arrested at a Netherlands airport last September after anti-narcotics police found him carrying 8,000 Ecstasy pills.

His trial began in Amsterdam this month, after the Dutch government rejected Indonesia's bid for extradition. The next hearing will be held in April.

Kadarisman said efforts sought by the anti-Indonesia group had obviously been systematically conducted. Citing an example, he cited charges laid on a colonel at the Indonesian Embassy that he was involved in the case.

"This is exaggerating. They (the group) have illegally used our diplomatic bags only to tarnish Indonesia's image," Kadarisman lamented.

He said he had repeatedly complained about media reports on the Ecstasy case he said were aimed at putting Indonesia in the hot seat.

"Just to mention a name, De Telegraaf's reports written by John van de Heuvel (on the alleged Ecstasy trafficking) proved to contain no legal aspects, but several political aspects," Kadarisman said.

The Indonesian Embassy released a statement denying the alleged involvement of Indonesian diplomats, sent to local press, diplomatic circles and to parliament members on Jan. 6. Kadarisman said President Soeharto had supported release of the statement.

He added Indonesia expected the Dutch government to take action against all defamation attempts conducted by the group.

"We have raised our objection, but they said they could do nothing but to let the freedom of the press live," said Kadarisman.

Friendship

Kadarisman said he returned home for several "general consultative meetings" with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono and Armed Forces chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung.

He said he reported to the President that bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands were "good", despite the Ecstasy case.

"We consider the case a small ripple which commonly happens within a relationship. Discrepancies may occur but we remain friends," he said.

New Year visits by Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. and Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro had provided evidence of the amicable relationship, Kadarisman said.

Kadarisman said protecting an Indonesian citizen from mistreatment was all the Indonesian Embassy could do in the case of this trial.

"We do not intend to let him (Said) evade the law, although charges against him have yet to be proved," Kadarisman said. (amd)

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