Soeharto vows to continue efforts towards openness<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday efforts are
\ncontinuously being made to turn Indonesia into a more open
\nsociety, one which upholds democracy and human rights.<\/p>\n
Addressing the opening of the 10th congress of Generation '45
\norganization here, Soeharto said Indonesia is relentless in its
\nefforts to disseminate, monitor and examine its implementation of
\nhuman rights. This measure, he said, is actually the
\nimplementation of state ideology Pancasila.<\/p>\n
Generation '45 refers to those who grew up around 1945 when
\nthe country reached its independence. Soeharto referred to this
\ngroup of people as the Generation of Liberators because of their
\nrole in the independence struggle.<\/p>\n
\"We always continue efforts to solidify democracy, especially
\na democracy based on the morality of Pancasila,\" Soeharto said,
\nadding that democratization takes patience.<\/p>\n
History has shown, he said, that social changes which are
\nanticipated yield greater benefits for the nation than those
\nbrought about by civil unrest, however small the unrest may be.<\/p>\n
\"We can never accept pressure from any party which uses an
\nundemocratic approach,\" he said. \"Democracy needs patience.\"<\/p>\n
There are many options to solve existing problems, he said. No
\nsolution is entirely right or wrong.<\/p>\n
\"What we need is to agree upon a formula which we could
\nimplement together. Therefore, we should also be ready to listen
\nto the opinions of other people and make others believe in these
\nopinions,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soeharto further pointed out that Indonesia will soon enter
\nthe 21st century which will be much different from the 20th
\ncentury. \"How it will be, it is not yet clear,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said his generation, the Generation '45, has done their
\nduties well, while the succeeding generation has also begun to
\nassume an important role in history.<\/p>\n
\"Certainly, not all problems have been solved. Once in a
\nwhile, unrest occurs. Some was caused by unemployment. Other
\nunrest was caused by the masses' agitation (over something). Yet
\nother unrest was caused by elements trying to impose their will
\non other people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Over the past year, Indonesia has seen a number of riots
\noccurring in various parts of the country, including the July 27
\nriot and the Oct. 10 attack on East Java churches.<\/p>\n
The President yesterday was accompanied by Vice President Try
\nSutrisno and Generation '45 executive chairman Surono.<\/p>\n
Congress participants include Coordinating Minister for
\nPolitical Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman, Minister for
\nSecurity and Defense Edi Sudradjat, Armed Forces Commander Gen.
\nFeisal Tanjung and Minister for Tourism, Post, and
\nTelecommunications Joop Ave.<\/p>\n
Diplomacy<\/p>\n
In his speech, the head of state also touched on the country's
\nuse of armed struggle and diplomacy to attain independence.<\/p>\n
\"The Generation '45 has been criticized for not fully
\nappreciating the role of diplomacy and for making armed struggle
\ntheir priority,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Unfortunately, we could not prevent such an impression as our
\narmed struggle for independence played a big role in the past,\"
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
The President noted although the armed struggle was necessary,
\nthe role of diplomats could not be ignored. They are the ones who
\nsucceeded in gathering international support for Indonesia during
\nits early years.<\/p>\n
\"For the sake of historical truth, it is time for us to
\nstraighten this (the impression) out. We should honestly admit
\nthat both armed struggle and diplomacy have contributed to our
\nfight for freedom,\" he said. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soeharto-vows-to-continue-efforts-towards-openness-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}