President Habibie makes light of rumored resignation, coup
President Habibie makes light of rumored resignation, coup
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie laughed off on Friday
rumors of his resignation, while contending that the presidency
was not everything to him.
In an off-the-cuff speech at the State Palace to a group of
ulema from Greater Jakarta, Habibie said he only became aware of
the rumors when an ambassador from a friendly country asked him
if they were true.
He said rumors of a coup apparently arose from the daily
meetings he had held since Wednesday with Indonesian Military
(TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto and other top military brass.
Habibie said he decided to hold the meetings in order to gain
the most accurate information available and coordinate
developments in East Timor after the imposition of martial law.
"(The meetings) are normal, but people think there is
something there. It's OK," he said.
Without elaborating, Habibie hinted that there could be a
major decision on East Timor within two days if there was no
significant improvements in the territory.
Habibie deflected criticism of his decision to hold a ballot
in East Timor and said he would not forsake Indonesia for the
tiny province.
"We have to be wise and prudent. If our brothers in East Timor
want to separate then we have to be sensible.
"Don't forget that Indonesia, with its population of 211
million minus 700,000, less than the number of residents in
Kebayoran, will remain a big country," he said. Kebayoran is a
district in South Jakarta.
"So whatever is decided (by the East Timorese) is of benefit
to Indonesia," he said.
Rumors of Habibie's resignation and a military takeover have
been rife since Wednesday.
The rumors heightened when Wiranto, accompanied by the heads
of the three branches of the military and the chief of the
National Police, attended a three-hour meeting with Habibie on
Wednesday.
Wiranto, also minister of defense and security, has calmly
dismissed the rumors. However, after meeting with Habibie on
Thursday, the general looked upset when a reporter asked him
about the relationship between the military and the President.
"The government is very solid," he replied as he walked to his
car. Suddenly he turned around and approached the reporter: "It
is you who asked the same question yesterday."
Habibie has called for daily coordinative meetings with
military brass and senior ministers for as long as martial law
remains in effect in East Timor.
In a separate meeting with the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim
organization on Friday morning, Habibie urged people not to
politicize East Timor as a tool to remove him from the
presidential palace.
"I want to reiterate that the presidency is not everything to
me.
"Whoever leads this country in the future, let it be decided
by the People's Consultative Assembly," Habibie said.
Habibie was scheduled to meet with Golkar chairman Akbar
Tandjung at his private residence in Patra Kuningan, South
Jakarta, on Friday evening.
Sources said Akbar wished to convey Golkar's concern over
continuing world condemnation of Indonesia over the violence in
East Timor.
Journalists, however, are not being allowed to cover the
meeting. "This is strictly an internal (Golkar) meeting," an
official said. (prb)