Soeharto thanks the nation

Soeharto thanks the nation

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday said the massive
outpouring of sympathy that he has received over the past week
has helped to ease the grief that he and his family have endured
since the loss of First Lady Mrs. Tien, who died on Sunday.

In his first official public statement since Mrs. Tien's
death, Soeharto appealed to the people to support him as the
national mourning period ends and he resumes his official duties.

The President, in a nationwide television broadcast, described
her death as a tremendous loss for him and his family.

"Since that Sunday morning of April 28, something went missing
from the midst of our family, something that is priceless to us,"
he said. "Our family has lost a devoted wife, a loving mother and
grandmother.

"Our family has lost someone to whom we have showered all our
love, someone who had showered all her love to us all."

The whole family, he added, "is in very deep mourning."

Mrs. Tien died of a heart attack at the Army Gatot Subroto
Hospital in Jakarta on Sunday morning. She was 72 years old.

A recipient of various medals of honor, she was buried with
military and state honors on Monday in her hometown in Surakarta,
Central Java.

There have been calls from various groups since then to confer
on Mrs. Tien Soeharto the title of national heroine.

Mrs. Tien was particularly noted for her various charitable
activities in her role as the nation's first lady for 28 years.

She is survived by Soeharto, three daughters, three sons and
many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The President, who is 74 years old, said the "spiritual
burden" that struck him and his family had been eased by the
massive outpouring of condolence messages and sympathy that the
family received.

He said he felt the genuine expressions of sympathy from the
people who came to his Jl. Cendana residence, and from those who
saw off the processions, both from Cendana to the Halim
Perdanakusuma airport, and from the residence in Surakarta to
Mrs. Tien's final resting place in Kalitan.

The State Secretariat immediately called for a seven-day
national mourning period during which time all houses were
required to fly the national red-and-white flag at half-mast.

The President canceled all state duties during the week of
national mourning, which officially ends today, although
officials said he continued to read his mail.

"After the one week mourning period, I ask for the blessing of
all the people in Indonesia so I can resume in full the state
duties that have been thrust upon my shoulders," he said.

Last night, the Istiqlal Grand Mosque held prayers for Mrs.
Tien as the nation entered the seventh day of mourning.
Congregations from other religious communities have also held
mass prayers and services for Mrs. Tien.

Bambang Trihatmodjo, a son of the President, in a separate
statement apologized for not being able to hold the prayer at the
President's Cendana residence as people have suggested due to
lack of space.

Both Soeharto and Bambang in their statements also appealed to
the nation to forgive all the mistakes Mrs. Tien may have
committed. (emb)