RI sends condolences over Deng's passing
RI sends condolences over Deng's passing
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto expressed yesterday his
deepest condolences on behalf of the Indonesian nation at Deng
Xiaoping's death, and hoped China's current leaders would
continue the prudent domestic and international policies laid
down by the late Chinese leader.
The message of condolence was conveyed yesterday by
Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, accompanying Soeharto on a
visit to Laos yesterday.
The President believed the policies laid down by Deng would be
continued by China's leaders, Moerdiono said.
An Indonesian foreign ministry statement here yesterday said
Soeharto hoped the Chinese government would continue to provide a
positive contribution towards the establishment of global peace
and prosperity.
Diplomatic ties between Jakarta and Beijing were revived in
1990, after a 22-year break following suspicions by Jakarta of
Beijing's involvement in the 1965 aborted coup.
The New Order government under Soeharto that rose to power
after crushing the Communist coup suspended relations in 1967 and
cut all direct trade links with China.
Relations were normalized in August 1990 with the visit of
Chinese Premier Li Peng to Jakarta. Ties were reaffirmed further
when Soeharto travelled to Beijing in November of the same year.
The Indonesian foreign ministry statement yesterday said
Jakarta would send "the highest level delegation possible" to
Deng's funeral if such a ceremony is held by Chinese authorities.
Soeharto was taken by surprise at the news and directed
ministers send a cable expressing his condolence.
News of Deng's death was broken by Moerdiono and Indonesian
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas.
Outlook
In Jakarta, observers expected no major change in China's
economic and political outlook.
While interpreting no drastic domestic change inside the
country, international affairs analyst Jusuf Wanandi said the
approaching Communist Party congress could prove a telling time
in the post-Deng period.
"I don't think there will be any significant change until the
Communist Party congress at the end of the year," he said.
Jusuf said Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Premier Li Peng
had consolidated their power base and were now in a strong
position.
"For the time being it will be lead by a collective
leadership. But a new leader will likely appear and it could very
well be Jiang Zemin since he has consolidated his support for
some time," Jusuf said.
Economist Mari Pangestu said Deng's demise would, at the most,
cause a brief turbulence in the stock exchange and financial
markets.
She pointed out the Chinese leadership had prepared themselves
well for this eventuality.
"I don't think there will be any major upheaval. There could
be a minor power struggle, but the direction (of policies) will
still be economic reform," Mari said.
"China will still be our (economic) competitor," she remarked.
Business tycoon Sofyan Wanandi, chairman of the Gemala Group,
expressed similar sentiments.
"Maybe in the short term there will be some psychological
uncertainties for the next two or three months," Sofyan said.
He said there was no reason for China to divert from its
current course of economic reform and would continue to
liberalize its market.
"They will continue to try very hard to be a leading world
player, both in the economic and political sphere," Sofyan
said. (mds/rid)