G-8 summit urges political change in Indonesia

G-8 summit urges political change in Indonesia

BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters): Leaders of the Group of Eight industrial countries issued a strong call for political reform in Indonesia and urged the security forces there to show restraint after four days of violence and mayhem.

In a statement issued at their annual summit, the group said: "The current social unrest indicates that to resolve the crisis, political as well as economic reform is necessary.

"The need for political reform is widely acknowledged in Indonesia. We encourage the authorities to respond rapidly by opening a dialog which addresses the aspirations of the Indonesian people and by introducing the necessary reforms."

The leaders of the United States, Russia, Japan, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Canada voiced deep concern at the recent upsurge of violence and the loss of life.

"We deplore the killings and urge the authorities to show maximum restraint, to refrain from the use of force and to respect individual rights. We call on the public to express their views peacefully. It is essential to avoid an escalation of violence," the G-8 statement said.

The leaders said they recognized the hardship caused by the economic crisis but fully endorsed the tough reform program imposed by the International Monetary Fund in return for emergency financial aid to the world's fourth most populous state.

"We believe the economic reform program agreed with and supported by the international financial institutions is the only way to restore confidence and growth and fully support the government in implementing it," they said.

U.S. President Bill Clinton earlier issued a statement saying: "Giving the people of Indonesia a real voice in the country's political affairs can make a real contribution to restoring political order and stability based on human rights and the rule of law."

Asked by reporters if the time had come for President Soeharto to step down after 31 years in power, he said: "The question you asked is one the Indonesian people have to decide. What we do believe is important is that the present government open a dialog with all the elements of society and that it lead to genuine political reform."

French President Jacques Chirac said: "It is essential that Indonesia should have political authorities capable of introducing the necessary measures," Chirac told a news conference.

He said it was not up to him "to say if President Soeharto or another should do it...but if truly nothing happened in Indonesia, it must be seriously feared that the crisis will resume."

German Chancellor Helmut Kohl said economic sacrifices demanded by the International Monetary Fund in return for emergency financial aid earlier this year were now hitting the Indonesian population with full force.

In an apparent reference to criticism of "crony capitalism" in the Asian state, Kohl said Soeharto's staff and family must contribute to economic stabilization.

Two big U.S. newspapers said on Friday the time had come for President Soeharto to resign for the sake of his country.

"It is now clear that recovery cannot begin as long as President Soeharto remains in power," said the New York Times in an editorial entitled "Sunset for President Soeharto."

"He can spare Indonesia further turmoil by yielding office to a government that quickly sets a date for free and fair elections," newspaper added.

The Los Angeles Times quoted Soeharto as saying in Cairo this week that if the Indonesian people no longer trusted him, he would become a sage and "closer to God".

"For the sake of his country, that's just what he should do," it said in an editorial.

It likened Soeharto's current predicament to that of president Sukarno, from whom Soeharto took power in 1967.

"The collapse of public confidence like that which doomed Sukarno now engulfs his successor... Surely Soeharto saw the anger rising, and just as surely he has proved incapable of heading off the tempest," it said.

The Wall Street Journal said Soeharto would probably not step aside quietly and Indonesians might be naive to assume change will come about through the military.

"The best guess is that any departure from the scene will be a fairly ad hoc affair... Yet it may be too late to put the genie back in the bottle," it added.

The Wall Street Journal said that behind the scenes U.S. officials are probably talking with Soeharto and with the Indonesian military about their options.