Evidence Completed Against Subandrio

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31188, 12 October 1966, Page 17

Evidence Completed Against Subandrio

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright)

SINGAPORE, October 11. The prosecution completed its case last night against the former Indonesian Foreign Minister, Dr. Subandrio, according to Radio Djakarta.

At the end of seven days of hearings, the Chief Judge, Lieuten-ant-Colonel Ali Said, ruled that the prosecution be given three days to prepare its final submissions.

Dr. Subandrio faces the death sentence if convicted of charges of attempting to overthrow the Indonesian Government, and subversion.

During the trial, the court heard 20 witnesses and six sworn statements, including one from President Sukarno. Evidence given during the trial linked Dr. Subandrio with the Indonesian Communist Party (P.K.1.) which staged an abortive coup in October 1 last year. But at last night’s hearing, Dr. Subandrio denied being a member of the P.K.I. or any other political party. First Signs

The former Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Suwito Kusumowidagdo, gave evidence and showed the first signs of personal rancour against Dr. Subandrio, accusing him of

ignoring advice and consulting with P.K.I. leaders. Mr Suwito said most of the Djakarta Foreign Ministry officials disagreed with Subandrio’s policy because they thought it was too close to Peking. At this point Dr. Subandrio burst in: “I just carried out the President’s orders and policies.” Mr Suwito testified that while he was Acting Foreign Minister during Dr. Subandrio’s absence, President Sukarno sometimes disagreed violently with the Subandrio line. Started Swing Dr. Subandrio’s policy started its swing towards Peking when he led a special mission to China. During that time Premier Chou Enlai suggested there should be a fifth armed force in Indonesia as w'ell as the Army, Navy, Air Force and police, Mr Suwito said. The Chinese leader meant the Crush Malaysia volunteers, a Communist-dominated force which at one point boasted 21 million members including girls and women. During tonight’s session Dr. Subandrio brought in his own

witnesses in an attempt to show he is not strongly proCommunist. One witness testified that Dr. Subandrio helped the anti-Coramunist Moslem youth wing to defend itself against the Communist youth wing. Ganis Harsono, previously spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, testified he misused Japanese war reparation payments for Indonesia.

Mr Harsono told the court that he ordered eight round-the-world tickets for eight girls and said the money came from the War Reparations Office in Tokyo. Dr. Subandrio also questioned Mr Harsono and got him to say that Dr. Subandrio’s statements in Peking implying anti-Soviet feeling were not necessarily true. Mr Harsono said Dr. Subandrio might say one thing in Peking and another in Moscow to please the governments.

Dr. Subandrio’s questioning attempted to show he was not tied with Peking as had been alleged.

Dr. Subandrio earlier told the court that he had never expected a major clash between the P.K.I. and the armed forces. He agreed that there were

contradictions, but this did not mean that they were heading for a major clash.