Habibie meets protests at home

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Demonstrations by activists and local residents greeted President B.J. Habibie's visit to his birthplace and traditional political stronghold on Thursday.

Civilian guards reportedly chased women activists after the latter, waving banners with antiviolence messages, broke through a police line on the provincial capital's main street of Jl. Sudirman.

The street was part of the President's route to the governor's official residence, where a traditional welcome ceremony was held.

"The way they dispersed us was absurd. It shows that many still do not appreciate differences of opinion," activist Zohra Andi Baso told The Jakarta Post.

Women activists demanded Habibie put former president Soeharto on trial for alleged wrongdoing, respect women's political rights and stop all forms of violence.

Student protests in several parts of the city also greeted Habibie's arrival at 4:30 p.m. Prominent among them were rallies by the Free Indonesia Forum and the Student Forum on Antinepotism and Violence on the campus of Hasanuddin University.

Also protesting was the Indonesian Law Students Association (Ismahi) at the Indonesian Muslim University on Jl. Urip Sumohardjo. Local residents supported the protest.

Students demanded that Habibie's administration continue reform, end atrocities in Aceh and withdraw troops from the province. They also called for the resignation of Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Wiranto.

Habibie will hold meetings with local leaders and officiate at the inauguration of several projects worth a total of Rp 770 billion.

Meanwhile, Antara reported that Habibie received a warm welcome in his hometown of Pare-Pare. (27/30/edt)