Habibie to announce probe results this week

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie will announce the result of the probe into last week's bloody incident which left 15 dead, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung disclosed on Monday.

Meanwhile Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono alleged "radical groups" provoked students into causing troops to shoot at them, which led to six deaths during the Friday rally in front of the Atmajaya university near the Semanggi cloverleaf.

The President, Akbar said, would receive all inputs from the public especially the National Commission for Human Rights to enable him to take a "just and transparent decision."

"The results will be revealed to the people in due course, and are expected within the week," Akbar said after attending a six- hour meeting with the President along with other 10 cabinet members at Merdeka Palace.

Ministers attending the meeting included Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Wiranto, Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono and State Minister of Youth and Sports Agung Laksono.

The President also summoned National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi and State Intelligence Coordinating Board Lt. Gen. (ret) Zaini Azhar Maulani.

Juwono said he appreciated students' spirit but warned them not to be abused by radical groups who planned to challenge the government.

The radical groups, he said, provoked students with the aim that "as many as possible would fall victim," given the value of students becoming martyrs.

Also speaking after meeting Habibie, he said the groups used buildings along Jl. Jend. Sudirman as their base. Juwono did not identify the groups or the source of his allegations.

Especially on Friday afternoon, he said, these people were among the students cursing security officers and hurling stones at them.

He was especially concerned about students who entered the university in 1997 or this year as they were "too young" and too enthusiastic. He said they could become an easy target for the radical groups.

"Four of eight dead students were from these batches," Juwono said. (prb)