[asia-apec 634] Van Sun: Suharto APEC threats detailed

[David Webster]

 Last Updated: Wednesday 9 September 1998      TOP STORIES
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Suharto threats detailed in secret APEC memos
The Vancouver Sun


Rick Ouston and Ian Mulgrew Vancouver Sun

Internal government and RCMP correspondence covering the
visit to Vancouver last year of then-Indonesian
president Suharto show the RCMP were concerned about the
threat of violence from his bodyguards and the federal
government was intent on ensuring he was not embarrassed
by protesters.

                  Suharto's visit, part of the Asia-Pacific Economic
                  Cooperation summit of world leaders, resulted in the
                  arrests of dozens of protesters at the University of
                  B.C., many of whom claimed their rights were violated by
                  RCMP officers using excessive force. Police have also
                  been criticized for removing signs and placards from
                  protesters.

                  RCMP Staff Sergeant Peter Montague, who was in charge of
                  security for the Indonesian delegation, said Tuesday he
                  was "taken aback" and "shocked" his memoranda and other
                  sensitive government documents detailing security
                  arrangements for Suharto's visit have fallen into the
                  hands of the media.

                  "Where the hell did he get those documents?" Montague
                  asked after Reform MP John Reynolds distributed edited
                  versions of the private correspondence, which was
                  obtained by CBC News.

                  The contents of the documents raise the possibility that
                  the threat posed by armed Indonesian bodyguards and a
                  desire to please Suharto may have motivated a more
                  aggressive police response to the protests than normal.

                  "[Indonesian] Ambassador Parwoto asked us what would
                  happen to one of their FSOs [foreign security officers]
                  if he pulled his gun and shot someone during the visit,"
                  Montague acknowledged writing in one memo. "They were
                  told categorically that such a situation would not be
                  tolerated and to keep their guns out of sight."

                  RCMP officers may have pepper-sprayed unruly
                  demonstrators with alacrity at the UBC gathering of the
                  leaders for fear they would breach the security cordon
                  and alarm the bodyguards surrounding Suharto.

                  "That would probably be the main reason our members
                  weren't charged with anything, because they took what
                  action, the only appropriate action they could take
                  knowing what the threat level was," Montague said.

                  "I know we had some legitimate concerns, some very
                  legitimate concerns, with respect to the possible
                  actions by the foreign security agents from Indonesia
                  and that was discussed at length with all of our APEC
                  team."

                  Hearings of the RCMP public complaints commission are
                  set to begin Sept. 14 into complaints by protesters that
                  they were beaten and suffered the effects of pepper
                  spray while engaging in a protest against Suharto and
                  his nation's occupation of East Timor.

                  But Reynolds, the MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast,
                  said Tuesday the documents he obtained from CBC News
                  indicate a stronger probe is needed into the affair.

                  "Nothing less than a full independent judicial inquiry
                  into events leading up to the violation of freedom of
                  speech and the manner the protesters were manhandled is
                  acceptable," Reynolds said. "I call on the government to
                  appoint a retired judge of national stature to
                  investigate this unacceptable cover-up and this
                  violation of a basic Canadian right."

                  Notes of a meeting between Foreign Affairs Minister
                  Lloyd Axworthy and Indonesian Prime Minister Ali Alatas
                  July 30, 1997, show the pair talked about a campaign of
                  "wanted posters" featuring Suharto that had popped up
                  across Canada.

                  "The minister apologized for the poster campaign. It was
                  outrageous and excessive," an internal department of
                  foreign affairs and international trade memo quoted
                  Axworthy as saying.

                  Alatas responded: "If it caused concern to the Canadian
                  government because agitation of these groups could not
                  be controlled and the dignity of the president was
                  sullied, the president would rather not come to Canada."

                  The handwritten notes of RCMP Superintendent Wayne May
                  state that it was a "specific wish" of Prime Minister
                  Jean Chretien "that this is a retreat and leaders should
                  not be distracted by demos, etc."

                  Briefing notes for a meeting between Chretien and the
                  Indonesian ambassador last September included the
                  message that "Canada will be taking particular care to
                  ensure the President's stay is a pleasant and rewarding
                  one. His personal security is assured, and steps will be
                  taken to preserve his comfort."

                  An Oct. 3 letter from Chretien to Suharto states: "I
                  have directed my officials to spare no effort to ensure
                  that appropriate security and other arrangements are
                  made for your stay in Canada as our guest."

                  And when protesters erected a tent city at an APEC
                  meeting site, RCMP Inspector Perry Edwards gave RCMP
                  Superintendent Trevor Thompson a note saying: "Trevor
                  T... :P.M. 'wants the tenters out.'"

                  Chretien, in Montreal to attend a book-launching by a
                  former Quebec TV personality, denied there had been any
                  interference.

                  "The police have to do their job," Chretien said,
                  denying that he had any personal role in instructing
                  police.

                  Once the conference was finished, the Canadian embassy
                  in Jakarta received a note from Indonesia's Chief of
                  Protocol Ambassador Dadang Sukandar: "My President was
                  very pleased," the ambassador wrote. "Canada had
                  promised to ensure safety and comfort and you lived up
                  to your word completely."

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