Ford Questioned on CIA Activity in Indonesia

=== [PDF page 1] === SOUTHEAST ASIA FORD QUESTIONED ON CIA ACTIVITY IN INDONESIA Moscow in Indonesian to Indonesia 1130 GMT 16 Oct 75 BK {Unattributed commentary: “The International Public at Large Waits for a Clear Answer "-- "submitted by Radio Peace and Progress, the radio of Soviet mass organizations "} {vext] Mrs Ratna Sari Dewi, widow of former Indonesian President Sukarno, some time ago wrote to U.S. President Gerald Ford asking him to outline the current situation in Indonesia, the tragic events in the fall of 1965 and the American CIA's role in the events. Mrs Ratna Sari Dewl wrote to the U.S. President: I am asking you, Mr Pvesident, to clearly answer the question concerning the role played by the American people and mke special comment on the improper role played by the CIA in the tragic events in Indonesia. A clear answer to the question is needed for the sake of the ideals of freedom and justice, for the sake of the ideals of good relationships between world countries, -dineluding those between Indonesja and the United States, ALL well-intentioned people want to know the truth about what the Americans have done in regard to Indonesia and Sukarno, the builder of the Indonesian state, The widow of former President Sukarno further said that the CIA for years has grossly interfered in Indonesia's domestic affairs. Mrs Dewi said: CIA interference dragged Indonesia into the turmoil of a civil war in 1958, while in 1965, as the result of a palace coup, a pro-American military regime was formed. We must say with deep sorrow that as the result of the coup d'etat, hundreds of thousands of totally innocent workers and farmers lost their lives. Tens of thousands of patriots have been suffering in jails for 10 years without trial or lezal investigation. She sald that the mass arrest of democrats and the banning of political parties and labor unions had opened the door to U.S. firms to actively operate in Indonesia. She wrote: U.S. firms have robbed the natural resources of Indonesia and exploited the Indonesian people; in that way they have accumulated very great wealth. As you know, the administration of the new order has written its ow version of the September 1965 event, in which the so-called palace coup took place. Of course [word indistinct] have not said a word about the role the CIA played in the 1965 event. Therefore, the widow of the late President Sukarno called on Gerald Ford: Mr President, - Wuch depends on you in order to stop all fabrications. The Indonesian people and all people with good intentions, all countries in the world, are entitled to know the truth about events. I, of course, realize that it is very difficult for the United States to admit CIA interference in Indonesia's domestic affairs. However, the entire world now knows that the CIA played a brutal role in the overthrow of the legal Indonesian Covernment and in treating President Sukarno inhumanely when he was under arrest. Mrs Ratna Sari Dewi further called on Ge.1ld Ford to use his influence on the military regime in Jakarta so that it will release tens of thousands of political prisoners. The release of political prisoners, male and female, as well as former cabinet ministers, writers and journalists must be done immediately. I can tell you that I fully believe that the charges made against them are completely baseless. They all are true Indonesian patriots. So far the U.S. President has not responded to Mrs Dewi's appeal. The international public at large has not remained quiet, however. === [PDF page 2] === The chief editor of the Dutch N.R.C, HANDELSBLAD, Poor, has said Mrs Dewi's letter completely exposes the story by rightwing forces in Jakarta claiming that the Indonesian Commnist Party (PKI], the All-Indonesia Central Labor Organization [SOBSI], the Indonesian iomen's Movement ([GERWANI], the People's Youth [Pemuda Rakyat] and other democratic organizations were responsible for the 1965 events. Poor further wrote that in the light of this new information, it is not these political parties, these organizations nor their membership--many of thom have died-- (words indistinct] false accusations which should be held responsible for the tragedy of the Indonesian people. The one to blame for the tragedy is the CIA and its agents, who mostly share a conserva-~ tive view. There have been plots in Indonesia, but they were launched not by leftwing forces but by rightwing forces which (?have set up) a conservative regime in Jakarta. Another Dutch paper [name indistinct] makes a similar comment on Mrs Dewi's appeal. The question now arises whether or not Mrs Ratna Sari Dewi and the international public at large will get a clear answer from U.S. President Cerald Ford.