Soeharto meets aides to discuss resignation call

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)