Habibie meets protests at home

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)