Indonesian Gold by Kerry B. Collison Page A

deflected the question. ‘ Because of your

association, they could have you under surveillance, as well ,’ Subroto suggested, ‘ and

that makes me unhappy, Eric. I shouldn’t have to remind you that whatever you do, whom you

associate with, all reflects on me. When I first joined AURI… ’
    Baird remained standing, as Subroto launched into one of

his all-too-familiar harangues that would, predictably, revisit most of the Air Force General’s

career, reminding himself that this was a small price to pay for the revered, Javanese officer’s

sponsorship.
    ****
    Baird had come to understand that Subroto’s early career

had been tied, indirectly, to that of the country’s president. In 1962, when Indonesia waged war

over the Netherlands’ last remaining outpost in Asia, West Papua, Subroto was there, serving

under the Mandela Campaign commander, Suharto. It was a bittersweet time for the young

General Suharto who had returned to the field, having been banished by the former C-in-C, General

Nasution, accused of smuggling activities with the Chinese cukong , Lim Sioe Liong. At that

time, Lieutenant Colonel Subroto and his fellow pilots had played a central role in the campaign,

flying missions in their Soviet-supplied Tu-2, and Il-28 light, tactical bombers. Subroto had

been more fortunate than many of his comrades during this confrontation, as the Dutch accounted

for many of the inexperienced pilots during aerial engagements. Nevertheless, President Soekarno

had heaped praises and medals upon all involved, when the future province fell to the

Indonesians. And, as Subroto’s name was linked with Suharto’s with respect to the outcome, the

AURI General was spared during the ignominious period that followed the coups of 1965, when the

Indonesian Air Force was cleansed of its communist elements.
    The AVM’s star had then remained in limbo up until the

AURI 1985 reorganization, when a large number of the country’s senior ranking officers were

either made redundant, or encouraged to enter Parliament, where the military maintained a

controlling block of seats. Subroto had elected to move into private enterprise and was placed on

the semi-retirement list, along with some fifty others of general rank, to assist with their

transition from military to civilian roles.
    It was because of Subroto’s close links with the

Indonesian Ministry of Mines, that Baird first approached the retired officer seeking

sponsorship. That, and the fact Subroto had worked closely with the Australians during the early

Seventies, when the RAAF gave AURI a squadron of Sabres to assist rehabilitate operational

air-defence training. When Subroto learned that Baird had the capacity to introduce foreign

mining companies, the Air Vice Marshal agreed to provide legitimate shelter for the geologist’s

activities.
    At first, their arrangement had prospered. Baird, true to

his word, succeeded in introducing a number of mining investment opportunities to Subroto who, in

return, showed his gratitude by accepting the geologist into his family circle. But, when Baird’s

reputation had later been sullied over his dealings with Kremenchug, their relationship had

slowly deteriorated, further exacerbated by Subroto’s discovery of Baird’s deviate sexual

preferences which, in turn, led to Mardidi being removed from the office staff, and the

appearance of Subroto’s niece, Pipi Suhartono.
    ****
    Baird remained politely interested, relieved that Subroto

was nearing the end of his often-repeated tale.
    â€˜And, when the Sabre flew over the rich rice paddies in

Central Java, the pilot experienced a flameout, and ejected.’
    Although Baird had heard this story before, he was always

at odds as how best to respond to what happened next. As usual, he decided to appear quietly

introspective.
    â€˜ Who would not believe in