Gus Dur says Soeharto worth US$45 billion<\/p>\n
CAIRO (JP): Speaking at the same place where two-years ago
\nthen president Soeharto described reports that he was one of the
\nworld's richest men as libelous, President Abdurrahman Wahid said
\non Tuesday that the former president's wealth is so huge it could
\nrepay all of Indonesia's debts to the International Monetary Fund
\n(IMF) and the World Bank.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a gathering of the Indonesian community at the
\nIndonesian Embassy here, Abdurrahman claimed Soeharto's wealth
\ntotaled at least US$45 billion, and then voiced hope that his
\npredecessor would return 95 percent of it.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman on Sunday confidently boasted that about $25
\nbillion of Soeharto's wealth would be returned to the state.<\/p>\n
The President on Tuesday claimed that he would employ both an
\nout-of-court settlement and strong public pressure to force the
\nSoeharto family to give up their riches.<\/p>\n
"When the money is handed over, we will be able to repay our
\ndebt to the IMF and the World Bank. We will be free to regulate
\nour own country, not like now were we work to death for the
\ninterests of foreign people," Abdurrahman remarked.<\/p>\n
The President added that under his scheme, Soeharto would
\nstill be able to keep more than $2.25 billion for himself.<\/p>\n
With audacious confidence the President illustrated how he
\nwould cajole Soeharto into surrendering the money.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman said he had instructed his chief negotiator,
\nMinister of Mines and Energy Lt. Gen. (ret.) Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono, to pressure Soeharto to return at least 50 percent of
\nthe $45 billion to the state as an initial step.<\/p>\n
"Then the children (students) will demonstrate again. Soeharto
\nwill be scared and then we will protect him," he said in
\nexplaining his method to regain the rest of the money.<\/p>\n
According to National Development Planning Board (Bappenas)
\ndata in February, the government's overseas debt was estimated at
\n$71.9 billion, including a $10.3 billion loan from the IMF.<\/p>\n
In similar meeting at the embassy in Cairo on May 13, 1998,
\nSoeharto expressed anger when a magazine report named him the
\nworld's fourth wealthiest person after England's Queen Elizabeth
\nII, Saudi Arabia's King Fahd and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of
\nBrunei.<\/p>\n
Both Soeharto, two-years ago, and Abdurrahman on Tuesday came
\nto Cairo to attend the summit of the Group of 15 (G-15)
\ndeveloping countries.<\/p>\n
According to Abdurrahman, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was
\nshocked when informed about Soeharto's alleged vast wealth.
\nAbdurrahman claimed that Mubarak said he would build high-rise
\nbuildings in Cairo if he possessed such wealth.<\/p>\n
"When I disclosed the amount to Mubarak he shouted (in
\nsurprise)," said Abdurrahman.<\/p>\n
Citing the experiences of the Philippines and Iran, the
\nPresident reiterated his disbelief that the court alone could
\nforce Soeharto to return his wealth to the state.<\/p>\n
The President said foreign banks would be the only eventual
\nwinners of the dispute because they could keep Soeharto's wealth
\nfor years pending the result of a legal process.<\/p>\n
"If we use the courts, Soeharto's wealth will never be
\nreturned. The rich countries will enjoy (the wealth)," said the
\nPresident.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman and his entourage are expected to arrive back in
\nJakarta on Wednesday after being away from the country for two
\nweeks.<\/p>\n
He has visited eight countries, including Japan, France,
\nPakistan and the United States, where he underwent two medical
\ncheckups, one in particular for his ailing eyesight. (byg\/prb)<\/p>",
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