Soeharto meets aides to discuss resignation call

JAKARTA (JP): Following House Speaker Harmoko's call for his resignation, President Soeharto spent hours last night consulting with Vice President B.J. Habibie, the leaders of the Armed Forces and several aides.

Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo H.S. and Chief of the Army's Strategic Reserves' Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto were among those who visited Soeharto at his residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.

Security was as usual, but foreign reporters were barred from entering.

The other visitors were Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen. (ret) Feisal Tanjung, Minister of Home Affairs Gen. (ret) Hartono, chief of the Intelligence Coordinating Body Lt. Gen. Moetojib, and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

Moetojib told reporters he had asked for Soeharto's response to the legislative body's challenge. According to Moetojib, Soeharto, "with a calm expression," said: "I will answer this myself tomorrow (today)."

Habibie left after a 30 minute visit. Wiranto, Prabowo and Subagyo left together.

Wiranto addressed journalists briefly and said: "I will safeguard the situation."

After Wiranto drove away, one military policeman came up to waiting reporters and television crews. "Please," he said, "Go away. Everyone has gone."

Dismissed

The military commander went on to the Armed Forces (ABRI) headquarters where he dismissed Harmoko's call for Soeharto's resignation. He insisted Soeharto remained responsible for steering the nation through the crisis.

Feisal said Soeharto "looked strong and responded well" to the developments. He also said the Armed Forces remained "solid."

Also present were Minister/State Secretary Saadilah Mursjid, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Coordinating Minister for Development Supervision and State Administrative Reforms Hartarto Sastrosoenarto, and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Haryono Suyono.

Some journalists said they also caught a glimpse of Soeharto's eldest daughter, Minister of Social Services Siti Hardijanti Rukmana.

Hartono made a point of telling reporters that, contrary to rumors, all of President Soeharto's offspring were in Indonesia.

He also insisted that the call for President Soeharto to resign was unconstitutional. "...according to the Constitution, the DPR (the House of Representatives) cannot topple the President and the President cannot topple the DPR.

"If there was a statement issued urging President Soeharto to resign, I also wonder whether that was constitutional," he said.

Saadilah stayed until very late yesterday. No information came from him.

This morning, President Soeharto is scheduled to hold a dialog at Merdeka Palace with "community leaders", top military officers and cabinet ministers.

No information as to when Soeharto would announce his new cabinet, was available. Sources said an announcement had been planned for yesterday afternoon, but was canceled following Harmoko's statement. (prb/swe)