Tears, joy and prayers greet news of clemency

JAKARTA (JP): They shed tears and some kowtowed in prayer when they heard the news that their husbands and fathers were to be released soon.

They also expressed their gratitude to the government, President Soeharto in particular, for his decision to grant clemency to Soebandrio, Omar Dhani and Raden Soegeng Soetarto. They will be given their liberty after Aug. 15.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono summoned the political prisoner's wives to his office yesterday afternoon to announce the news.

The following are comments from Soetarto, his family, and the families of Soebandrio and Omar Dhani, who were met by The Jakarta Post or spoken to by telephone.

Soetarto (in his room at St. Carolus hospital):

"I'm elated to learn about the clemency. I have no immediate plans for what I'll do when I'm free."

"I've always waited for Aug. 17 to come hoping that I get clemency. Thank God this year all that waiting is over."

Marie Soetarto (wife, 53 years)

"I'm overjoyed to learn of the clemency. I was phoned by Moerdiono's staff on Thursday night asking that I go to the office today. So I went with my second daughter, Dewi."

"I still don't know what we'll do when he comes out."

"This is like a dream for me."

"I have always taught my children to face reality."

"I've been working at the Ministry of Education and Culture, with the consent of Gen. Sumitro, then chief of Kopkamtib (Internal Security Agency)."

"I'm teaching Indonesian sociology and law sociology at the Pancasila University."

(During the meeting with Moerdiono, she said she had been separated from her husband for 29 years, six months and 12 days).

Waskito Soetarto (oldest son, 32 years, staff of Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation)

"It's been almost 30 years since I have been close to father. I was two years and three months old when he was arrested."

Dewi Soetarto (second child, 30 years)

"We've been separated physically for nearly 30 years, but spiritually we're very close. I longed for my father whenever I had problems. Fortunately, mother always gave strong moral support to me to face every test."

Sri Kusdyantinah (Subandrio's wife, 64 years)

"I received an emergency call from Mr. Moerdiono around noon to go and see him at two in the afternoon."

"I went with my youngest son, Bambang Dharmayoga."

"We thank Allah and bowed to the ground on our return."

"This is still like a dream for me. Alhamdulillah (all praise to Allah), my prayers have been answered."

"I have no immediate plans. Regarding my wish to go on haj pilgrimage, I still have to discuss it with him."

Bambang Dharmayoga (Subandrio's youngest son, 24 years)

"I bowed to the ground towards Allah as soon as I heard the news. Almost every night I prayed for father's freedom. Once I nearly lost hope."

"I'm going to take father to tour Jakarta when he is free. Take him to this bubur ayam (chicken porridge) place in Jatinegara, something that he used to do before he got arrested.

Sri Wuryanti (wife of Omar Dhani, 61 years).

"I thank God that my prayers have been answered. I thank the President for granting the request for clemency."

"We will hold a syukuran (thanks giving) with the children and grandchildren."

"We will also go on a pilgrimage to the grave of our four parents, all died while my husband was in prison." (imn)