Get ready for the future, Soeharto tells scouts

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told Indonesian scouts yesterday not only to master science and technology, but, above everything, to shape their character well.

Opening the Indonesian scouts national jamboree at the Krida Bhakti Pramuka camping ground in Cibubur, East Jakarta, Soeharto said: "You should all study hard and master science and technology. But you should also realize that science and technology is not everything.

"Build your character so that you can all become good and noble people," he told the 25,000 youths, local and foreign, as well as some 5,000 teachers, coaches and chaperones.

The President, in his capacity as chairman of the National Scout Council, said that, as the country faces increasingly difficult challenges, character is often more important than the mastering of technology.

The ceremony, led by Girl Scout Kristiana Natalia from East Nusa Tenggara, was also attended by Vice President Try Sutrisno and a number of cabinet ministers. The foreign scouts are from Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, and the United States.

Soeharto told the youths to learn from history in order not to repeat mistakes made by their seniors. "By studying history, you will understand that the independence you are enjoying now was earned through a long and difficult struggle.

"You should never forget how your predecessors fought for independence. Learn from their successes and failures," he added. "Retain what's good and discard anything bad from what you learn. Never repeat any of the mistakes that your predecessors made."

The highlight of the opening ceremony was a performance by a marching band, Pakuan, from West Java. The jamboree will last through July 4. (06/swe)