Airgram A-398: List of PKI Leaders and Their Whereabouts, 17 Dec 1965
US Embassy airgram A-398, 17 Dec 1965, listing PKI leadership bodies after May 1965 and fugitive leaders' whereabouts. Places Suharti (Gerwani chair, head of the PKI women's department), Umi Sardjono, Setiati Surasto and Mudjiatun in PKI organs; no women in the whereabouts list.
Airgram A-408: Joint Weeka no. 48, 21 Dec 1965
US Embassy Joint Weeka no. 48 (airgram A-408), 21 Dec 1965: estimates 100,000 PKI deaths and 10,000 on Bali; notes Sukarno addressing the 20th anniversary of Perwari. Only women-related scene is a non-communist women's group used as a stage.
Telegram 212 (Joint Sitrep 22), US Consulate Surabaya, 27 Dec 1965
US Consulate Surabaya Joint Sitrep 22, 27 December 1965: killings continue more discreetly, NU campaign to 'exterminate PKI' covers East Java, Madiun prisoners delivered to civilians. Regional context; no Gerwani content.
Subandrio Speech at International Women's Day Meeting (FBIS, 8 Mar 1966)
FBIS item (Jakarta radio, 8 Mar 1966): Subandrio's speech at the International Women's Day rally in Senayan, sponsored by the National Front and Kowani. He denied that Indonesia had veered right, urged solidarity with progressive states and Nasakom, and said women played an important role. Gerwani is not named.
Mrs. Subandrio's Dismissal (FBIS, 13 Apr 1966)
Short FBIS item (ANTARA, 13 Apr 1966): the central board of the Union of Indonesian Women Scholars (ISWI) temporarily dismissed Mrs Subandrio, wife of the detained former foreign minister, pending its congress. Gerwani is not named.
Gerwani Leader Suwarti Will Stand Trial (FBIS, 18 Nov 1966)
Two-page FBIS extract (18 Nov 1966) from HathiTrust. The Gerwani-relevant item says PKI Central Committee member Suwarti, called a Gerwani leader, will be tried by the South Sumatra Mahmilub, the first woman Gestapu-PKI leader to be tried. Other items cover Indonesian students in Bulgaria and a radio commentary on rumo
Gerwani Leader Suwarti Will Stand Trial (FBIS, 18 Nov 1966)
Brief FBIS item (Jakarta radio, 18 Nov 1966): Suwarti, a former PKI Central Committee member described as a Gerwani leader, will soon be tried by the South Sumatra Mahmilub, the first woman leader of the Gestapu-PKI so tried. The regional commander alleged she tried to build an underground PKI chapter there in June.
CIA study, December 1968: Indonesia 1965 - the coup that backfired
CIA research study, December 1968 (released 2023), arguing the PKI planned the 30 September Movement in every detail, based largely on interrogations. Cold War security-apparatus counter-evidence relevant to how Gerwani was framed.
Arrest of Suharti Suwarto, Gerwani Deputy Chairman, and Husband Subarto (FBIS, 29 Mar 1968)
HathiTrust FBIS Daily Report extract (29 Mar 1968). It reports the arrest on 22-23 March of Mrs Suharti Suwarto, called Gerwani deputy chairman and head of the PKI women's division, and her husband Subarto, alleged to have posed as a religious teacher among Muslims. It places them in 'Operation Kalong', with about 300
FBIS Daily Report, 24 Jul 1968: Woman communist leader captured (Madame Sri Sukatno, South Blitar)
FBIS Daily Report (24 Jul 1968) relaying Antara: Madame Sri Sukatno, described as a woman communist leader, was arrested at Pasiraman, South Blitar, in a mopping-up operation, per the army paper Angkatan Bersendjata. She is called a Politburo member, head of the Central Committee section on armed peasants and a Pemuda
JPRS bibliography (via CIA): 'Tanti Aidit Receives Doctorate in North Korea' (Harian Rakjat, 29 Sep 1965)
Bibliography of US JPRS translations (CIA Reading Room copy, catalogued 1972) listing Vietnamese, Korean and Indonesian items. One entry, 'Tanti Aidit Receives Doctorate in North Korea', from Harian Rakjat, 29 September 1965, p. 3 (JPRS 33306, December 1965), concerns the wife of PKI chairman D.N. Aidit, presumably Sut
JPRS bibliography (via CIA): 'Tanti Aidit Receives Doctorate in North Korea' (Harian Rakjat, 29 Sep 1965)
Bibliography of US JPRS translations (CIA Reading Room copy, catalogued 1972) listing Vietnamese, Korean and Indonesian items. One entry, 'Tanti Aidit Receives Doctorate in North Korea', from Harian Rakjat, 29 September 1965, p. 3 (JPRS 33306, December 1965), concerns the wife of PKI chairman D.N. Aidit, presumably Sut
FCO 15/1941: Political Detainees in Indonesia (1974-75)
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office file FCO 15/1941 (1974-75), 'Political detainees in Indonesia': ministerial letters on the National Peace Council and TAPOL campaigns, Research Department notes on Carmel Budiardjo, UN human-rights briefing, ICRC/Buru material and TAPOL Bulletin extracts. Gerwani features in the
Delegations Arrive for Albania's 30th Liberation Anniversary (FBIS, 23 Nov 1974)
FBIS item (Tirana radio, 23 Nov 1974) listing delegations arriving for Albania's 30th liberation anniversary. The PKI delegation was led by Setiati Surasto, candidate member of the PKI Central Committee, alongside parties from Brazil, New Zealand, West Germany and Argentina. Gerwani is not mentioned.
Hoxha Receives Foreign Delegations (FBIS, 29 Nov 1974)
FBIS item (Zeri i Popullit, 29 Nov 1974): Enver Hoxha received foreign delegations for Albania's 30th liberation anniversary, including a long list of Marxist-Leninist parties. The Communist Party of Indonesia delegation was led by Setiati Surasto, candidate member of its Central Committee. Gerwani is not mentioned.
US Embassy Jakarta cable, 30 Dec 1974: Sutanti Aidit confirmed as 'Class A' detainee
Confidential US Embassy Jakarta cable to the State Department, 30 December 1974 (declassified), reporting that Indonesian government sources confirm Sutanti Aidit is a 'Class A' detainee, i.e. slated for trial over the 1965 'coup attempt'. They describe her as a PKI central committee member, leading supporter of husban
US Embassy Jakarta cable, 30 Dec 1974: Sutanti Aidit confirmed as 'Class A' detainee
Confidential US Embassy Jakarta cable to the State Department, 30 December 1974 (declassified), reporting that Indonesian government sources confirm Sutanti Aidit is a 'Class A' detainee, i.e. slated for trial over the 1965 'coup attempt'. They describe her as a PKI central committee member, leading supporter of husban
Subversion Trial of Four Gerwani Leaders (FBIS, 3 Feb 1975)
Short FBIS item (Jakarta radio, 3 Feb 1975): four leaders of the PKI-affiliated Gerwani, Mrs Sri Ambar, Sujinah, Sulami and Suharti, went on trial in the Central Jakarta district court on subversion, conspiracy and rebellion charges linked to Gestapu-PKI. The report calls them the first PKI woman leaders to be tried.
Unclassified US State Department cable (7 Sep 1977) reporting Amnesty International's list of 62 imprisoned or disappeared former legislators; Indonesia has the longest list (21). Among the Indonesians named are Kartinah Kurdi and 'Umiharti Sardjono' (Umi Sardjono), both former Gerwani leaders, still detained 12 years
State Department cable to Embassy Singapore, 30 Aug 1977: Dr. Sutanti Aidit (Congressman Koch)
Declassified State Department cable (State 207433, 30 Aug 1977) to Embassy Singapore. Prompted by Congressman Koch's challenge, it says research confirms that Dr. Sutanti Aidit was a member of Gerwani's central committee but not of the PKI's, a point the Indonesian embassy also gave, and that earlier correspondence wou
State Department cable to Embassy Singapore, 30 Aug 1977: Dr. Sutanti Aidit (Congressman Koch)
Declassified State Department cable (State 207433, 30 Aug 1977) to Embassy Singapore. Prompted by Congressman Koch's challenge, it says research confirms that Dr. Sutanti Aidit was a member of Gerwani's central committee but not of the PKI's, a point the Indonesian embassy also gave, and that earlier correspondence wou
US Embassy Singapore cable, 1 Sep 1977: Dr. Sutanti Aidit, head of Gerwani 1962-65
Declassified US cable (Singapore 3809, 1 Sep 1977) from Embassy Singapore's Ingraham answering a State query on Dr. Sutanti Aidit. He recalls that in 1962-65 she was widely known as head of Gerwani and its representative on the PKI Central Committee, calls Gerwani 'an integral part of the PKI', and suggests Amnesty's i
US Embassy Singapore cable, 1 Sep 1977: Dr. Sutanti Aidit, head of Gerwani 1962-65
Declassified US cable (Singapore 3809, 1 Sep 1977) from Embassy Singapore's Ingraham answering a State query on Dr. Sutanti Aidit. He recalls that in 1962-65 she was widely known as head of Gerwani and its representative on the PKI Central Committee, calls Gerwani 'an integral part of the PKI', and suggests Amnesty's i
US Embassy Singapore cable, 6 Oct 1977: was Dr Sutanti Aidit a PKI Central Committee member?
Confidential cable from the US Embassy Singapore (Ingraham) to State, 6 Oct 1977, declassified 2009. It debates whether Dr Sutanti Aidit was a PKI Central Committee member, prompted by Congressman Koch's queries. He recalls a 1974-75 Jakarta message saying she was a Class A prisoner whom the Indonesian government claim
US Embassy Singapore cable, 6 Oct 1977: was Dr Sutanti Aidit a PKI Central Committee member?
Confidential cable from the US Embassy Singapore (Ingraham) to State, 6 Oct 1977, declassified 2009. It debates whether Dr Sutanti Aidit was a PKI Central Committee member, prompted by Congressman Koch's queries. He recalls a 1974-75 Jakarta message saying she was a Class A prisoner whom the Indonesian government claim
US State Department weekly status cable, 13 Jul 1978: 'Mrs Aidit to face trial'
Declassified State Department weekly status cable (13 Jul 1978). Citing FBIS and Kuala Lumpur radio, it reports that Dr Sutanti Aidit, widow of D.N. Aidit, will be tried for complicity in the 1965 coup attempt. It describes her as a member of the Central Committee of Gerwani, the PKI women's affiliate, and an Amnesty I
US State Department weekly status cable, 13 Jul 1978: 'Mrs Aidit to face trial'
Declassified State Department weekly status cable (13 Jul 1978). Citing FBIS and Kuala Lumpur radio, it reports that Dr Sutanti Aidit, widow of D.N. Aidit, will be tried for complicity in the 1965 coup attempt. It describes her as a member of the Central Committee of Gerwani, the PKI women's affiliate, and an Amnesty I
Former Golkar Official Linked to PKI (FBIS, 22 Oct 1988)
FBIS item (AFP via Hong Kong, 22 Oct 1988): security forces accused Akhmad Syabrun Caropeboka, 56, former South Sumatra Golkar treasurer, of past links to the banned PKI, hiding past membership of a PKI-related organisation. Other Golkar officials were similarly accused that year. Gerwani is not named; the listed perso
Army Spokesman on Release of Gerwani Ex-Chairwoman Sundari Abdulrahman (FBIS, 23 Aug 1989)
FBIS item (ANTARA, 23 Aug 1989): armed forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Nurhadi Purwosaputro said the release of Sundari Abdulrahman, 68, former chairwoman of Gerwani, followed completion of her term and presidential remission. She had been sentenced to life in 1976 in Tanjungkarang and held in Tangerang Women's Prison. He
Parliament Holds Dialogue With Dissident Group (FBIS, 5 Jul 1991)
FBIS item (Jakarta Post, 5 Jul 1991): the Petition 50 dissident group, 18 members attending, was heard by DPR Commissions II and III. Attendees included Ali Sadikin, H.R. Dharsono and 79-year-old freedom fighter S.K. Trimurti. They complained of travel, loan and media restrictions since 1980. Gerwani is not named.