'Sturm und Drang'

Thirteen years, four months and 21 days ago, a retired "man from the Foreign Affairs Ministry" (NIP 020000311) died in Jakarta and was buried in Tanah Kusir the same day. This was Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ismail. He collected his pension for the last time in December 1982. On the yellow card he wrote down my name, as his wife. I had a residence permit, my blue book as ID as a foreign resident, and paid tax as required by your laws.

Seven years, six months and 29 days ago, President Soeharto signed a decree according to which I am entitled to receive a pension as the widow of Pak Yusuf Ismail. Between the death of my husband and the Presidential Decree, five years, 10 months and two days had passed.

I am required, as a German national, to file an annual income tax declaration.

How much longer will I be able to tell the German tax-man that I do not receive any of the money which Jakarta, represented by PT Taspen, is obliged to pay me? This in a country where widows of ambassadors receive thousands of German marks a month? My correspondence in this matter has been going on for over a decade. I have spent around five million rupiah trying to get what's mine.

Three years ago, I asked your embassy in Bonn for advice whether I should bribe somebody, and, if yes, whom. The ambassador was so upset that he refused to talk to me any further, telling me that "bribery is just an imagination of westerners about Indonesia."

One month ago, I was told by an Indonesian diplomat to go to Jakarta myself and pay somebody "a little sweetener" to be able to collect my pension money.

The German Embassy, with the full knowledge of Foreign Minister Kinkel, has literally begged you to pay. My account number is known to you. I see no reason why you hold back money you have to pay to me. I expect your response via your Consulate General in Hamburg.

CHRISTINA ISMAIL-MAHN

Reiherstiegdeich 1

21107 Hamburg, Germany