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."