Machiavellian plot<\/p>\n
Methinks there is some Machiavellian plot afoot! We all know
\nthat Mr. Habibie has a brilliant brain, and also know that he and
\nhis pro-Soeharto government, backed by their very own Golkar,
\nwill do everything in their power to win the elections, leading
\nto the President's reelection in due course. So how does he set
\nabout this? Answer, by a skillful, long-term strategy, thus:<\/p>\n
(1) Fix an election date long before proper arrangements can be
\nmade for well-organized and truly democratic elections. This will
\nmean that it is a chaotic affair where vote rigging can be
\npracticed by any party with sufficient funds -- Golkar.
\nPostponement is even in the cards.<\/p>\n
(2) Suddenly announce out of the blue that East Timor can be
\ngranted autonomous status, or even full independence, in 2000,
\nwhich clearly is impracticable since there is no way the
\nsuggested referendum can be organized.<\/p>\n
(3) Create instability in East Timor by use of militia (itself an
\nill-conceived idea to help in maintaining law and order), which
\nis a raffle, \"trained\" by the Armed Forces in a couple of weeks
\nand then given arms and turned loose to support the
\nprointegrationists in East Timor, with the backing of the Army.
\nIt can then be claimed that the near civil war in East Timor is
\nevidence the province is not ready for independence. All of which
\nwill likely lead to the present government's being returned to
\npower, as foreshadowed in your leading article of April 22.<\/p>\n
RB SAWREY-COOKSON<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/machiavellian-plot-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }