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.