Cempaka Asean: Dutch queen’s father ‘was involved in arms trade’

RNW, 24 November 2010

Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands

Historian Gerard Aalders from the Netherlands Institute for War Documentation (NIOD) says Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (Queen Beatrix's father) was involved in arms dealing in Indonesia around 1950. Dr Aalders makes his allegation in his book, Bernhard Zakenprins (Bernhard, Prince of Business) which is published on Thursday. Prince Bernhard died in 2004.

The historian has not unearthed any evidence that the prince actually bought or sold arms himself. However, he says he has indirect evidence from which it can be deduced that the husband of Queen Juliana became involved with the arms trade with the aim of bringing about the fall of the government of newly independent Indonesia.

“A number of arms dealers knew Prince Bernhard personally and the infamous Afghan arms dealer Ali Shah visited him at Soestdijk Palace for business talks,” says Dr Aalders. He says his conclusions are “98 percent complete”. He believes many important records remain behind closed doors.

Indonesian Vice-president Hatta and Dutch Queen Juliana at the signing ceremony in The Hague at which the Dutch recognized Indonesian sovereignty. (27 Dec.1949)