Habibie wants to build 'a democratic RI'

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie reiterated his strong ambition yesterday to make Indonesia a peaceful, wealthy and democratic country.

He said in the effort to realize the ambition, the nation needed to learn from history in order to prevent a repeat of negative experiences in the past, and to enhance positive achievements.

"The task is very heavy. However, we realize that it is a historical task put upon our shoulders," Habibie said when opening the 15th conference of the International Associations of Historians of Asia at the State Palace.

According to Taufik Abdullah, the associations' president, the conference -- taking up the theme of "the significance of Asia as a field of historical study" -- was being attended by 300 historians from 29 countries.

The president told the historians to conduct a thorough study of the past mistakes and shortcomings of Asian countries so they can be used as a valuable lesson by the nations concerned.

"Insightful study over the crisis currently attacking Asian countries, will enable us to understand the faults made in the past. Such assessment at least will be useful for us to reflect upon and to design a better future," the President remarked.

Indonesian historians have long complained about how under former president Soeharto history was written to glorify him and pin the blame for past mistakes on his predecessor, founding president Sukarno.

Several history teachers said they found it difficult to teach the current history textbooks to their students as many just laughed when they explained about the good deeds of Soeharto's administration.

"I still have to explain that Soeharto is the father of our development, but all that people know now is that he brought economic disaster upon us," said a senior high school teacher at SMA 22 in East Jakarta yesterday.

In his report to Habibie, Taufik pointed out, however, that the current crisis could not be resolved only by blaming the previous government.

"Reform cannot be implemented through condemnations. It can only be realized if we have a clear vision of where we are heading and how to get there," he noted. (prb)