[asia-apec 639] Re: SUHARTO THREATS DETAILED IN SECRET APEC MEMOS

[Gatt Watchdog]

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Date: Wed, 09 Sep 1998 11:43:00 -0700
To: ccpa at policyalternatives.ca
From: Sid Shniad <shniad at sfu.ca>
Subject: SUHARTO THREATS DETAILED IN SECRET APEC MEMOS
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The Vancouver Sun				Wednesday 9 September 1998

SUHARTO THREATS DETAILED IN SECRET APEC MEMOS

	Rick Ouston and Ian Mulgrew

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."