Soeharto vows to continue efforts towards openness

Soeharto vows to continue efforts towards openness

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday efforts are
continuously being made to turn Indonesia into a more open
society, one which upholds democracy and human rights.

Addressing the opening of the 10th congress of Generation '45
organization here, Soeharto said Indonesia is relentless in its
efforts to disseminate, monitor and examine its implementation of
human rights. This measure, he said, is actually the
implementation of state ideology Pancasila.

Generation '45 refers to those who grew up around 1945 when
the country reached its independence. Soeharto referred to this
group of people as the Generation of Liberators because of their
role in the independence struggle.

"We always continue efforts to solidify democracy, especially
a democracy based on the morality of Pancasila," Soeharto said,
adding that democratization takes patience.

History has shown, he said, that social changes which are
anticipated yield greater benefits for the nation than those
brought about by civil unrest, however small the unrest may be.

"We can never accept pressure from any party which uses an
undemocratic approach," he said. "Democracy needs patience."

There are many options to solve existing problems, he said. No
solution is entirely right or wrong.

"What we need is to agree upon a formula which we could
implement together. Therefore, we should also be ready to listen
to the opinions of other people and make others believe in these
opinions," he said.

Soeharto further pointed out that Indonesia will soon enter
the 21st century which will be much different from the 20th
century. "How it will be, it is not yet clear," he said.

He said his generation, the Generation '45, has done their
duties well, while the succeeding generation has also begun to
assume an important role in history.

"Certainly, not all problems have been solved. Once in a
while, unrest occurs. Some was caused by unemployment. Other
unrest was caused by the masses' agitation (over something). Yet
other unrest was caused by elements trying to impose their will
on other people," he said.

Over the past year, Indonesia has seen a number of riots
occurring in various parts of the country, including the July 27
riot and the Oct. 10 attack on East Java churches.

The President yesterday was accompanied by Vice President Try
Sutrisno and Generation '45 executive chairman Surono.

Congress participants include Coordinating Minister for
Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman, Minister for
Security and Defense Edi Sudradjat, Armed Forces Commander Gen.
Feisal Tanjung and Minister for Tourism, Post, and
Telecommunications Joop Ave.

Diplomacy

In his speech, the head of state also touched on the country's
use of armed struggle and diplomacy to attain independence.

"The Generation '45 has been criticized for not fully
appreciating the role of diplomacy and for making armed struggle
their priority," he said.

"Unfortunately, we could not prevent such an impression as our
armed struggle for independence played a big role in the past,"
he added.

The President noted although the armed struggle was necessary,
the role of diplomats could not be ignored. They are the ones who
succeeded in gathering international support for Indonesia during
its early years.

"For the sake of historical truth, it is time for us to
straighten this (the impression) out. We should honestly admit
that both armed struggle and diplomacy have contributed to our
fight for freedom," he said. (swe)