Soeharto family may change stance on swap deal: Mediator

BANDUNG (JP): The ongoing talks to recoup any state assets allegedly amassed by former president Soeharto may falter due to public discourse and controversy over them, a government mediator said here on Monday.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who President Abdurrahman Wahid named as government representative in the negotiations, expressed concern that extensive media reports of the controversy had apparently prompted Soeharto's family to change their mind.

"From the recent talks, I perceived the intention of the Cendana family to donate some of what they have (to the state)," Susilo, who is also the minister of mines and energy, said in reference to the former first family.

The family is sometimes called after the name of the Central Jakarta street they live on.

Susilo admitted he had been negotiating with the family since last month, but that no deal has been reached so far. He said he feared the public debate would heat up the controversy.

Abdurrahman was the first to disclose the negotiations between the government and Soeharto's family, who have named Siti Hardijanti Rukmana their representative.

Abdurrahman expressed his optimism in Cairo on Sunday that Soeharto would return US$25 billion of his wealth to the government in exchange for the government's guarantee of the former ruler's safety and a pardon if he is proven guilty by the courts over his alleged massive corruption.

Soeharto, who resigned in May 1997, has been named a suspect and is undergoing a series of questionings for his alleged abuse of power to accrue wealth through his charitable foundations.

Anticipating the impact of the public controversy, Susilo called on Soeharto's family to maintain their moral awareness and commitment to continuing the talks.

"I wish and hope the family will take our moral call which may make sense in a positive point of view," he remarked.

Susilo further said that Abdurrahman intended to appoint him as the mediator due to his judgment that he was politically competent to solve the case. At the same time, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman will continue with the legal process, Susilo said.

Marzuki said the government's move to reclaim some of Soeharto's wealth would not effect the ongoing investigation into the former strongman's alleged graft.

"The details of the return of Soeharto's ill-gotten wealth to the state will be discussed after his trial," Marzuki told reporters on Monday. He has pledged to submit the file on the Soeharto case to the court before Aug. 10.

Marzuki further said that his office was not involved in the efforts to recoup the state assets. He said it could not be compromised with the ongoing legal procedures and there had been no discussions about whether the attempt could reduce any punishment for Soeharto.

"We do not see any connection between the two subjects, but it is beyond the my authority," he remarked.

Meanwhile, House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung regretted the move of Soeharto's lawyers to report to the United Nations Commission for Human Rights alleged human rights violations during the interrogation of their client.

"The case should be settled domestically. We could settle it by ourselves," said Akbar, who chairs the Golkar Party and was a persistent supporter of Soeharto during his 32-year rule.

Soeharto's lawyers filed a complaint on Thursday to office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Switzerland against the Attorney General's Office on Thursday for violating the rights of their client during investigations.

Akbar maintained that the lawyers' action underestimated the country's existing laws.

He was sure that the existing laws could still be used to handle Soeharto's case without international intervention. (25/dja/jun)