Holbrooke less pessimistic

Holbrooke less pessimistic

HONG KONG (AFP): Former U.S. State Department troubleshooter Richard Holbrooke said Friday that after talks with Asian and U.S. officials he had revised his opinion on Indonesia's prospects and is now less pessimistic.

"After intensive discussions in Asia with officials, I leave encouraged that the Asians are determined to deal with their problems," said Holbrooke, now vice-president of Credit Suisse First Boston bank.

He added recent telephone conversations with U.S. Treasury and State Department officials, as well as recent developments in Jakarta, had forced him to revise his attitude on Indonesia, which he admitted had been "too pessimistic."

"President Soeharto saved his country in 1965-66 and he has the chance to do it again," said Holbrooke, who has known the Indonesian leader personally for many years.

Holbrooke, in an interview with AFP on Thursday, said there was little chance Indonesia would carry out economic reforms and that the country was in danger of falling into "catastrophe.