Investigation into Soeharto's wealth

The investigation into the Soeharto family's billions is rapidly assuming the proportions of a farce. The President, a known crony of former president Soeharto, appoints the Attorney General, likewise a "Soeharto man."

The icing on the cake is applied when Soeharto himself, having had time to make all the necessary cover-up arrangements, graciously gives permission for the team to investigate his (and his family's ?) bank accounts, both here and (NB) abroad.

Hitherto he has denied having any money stashed away abroad. Are we all living in cloud cuckoo land? The facts will never be known unless and until an international team of professional investigators and accountants is appointed, but the hopes of that ever happening are remote under the present administration.

JAMES RICHARDS

Jakarta