'Time' is liable for its story: Soeharto's lawyer

JAKARTA (JP): A lawyer for former president Soeharto said on Tuesday that New York-based Time Magazine is liable for its May 24, 1999 cover story, although other publications corroborated with similar stories.

"Although our client has not sued other publications, this does not mean that Time is not guilty," said O.C. Kaligis, one of Soeharto's lawyers, at the Central Jakarta District Court.

Kaligis dismissed the assertion by Time's lawyers that the fact that Soeharto has failed to sue other publications is telling in itself.

"The way the defendant prepared its defense statement (by questioning Soeharto's failure to sue other publications) proves that it is guilty," he told the hearing presided over by judge Sihol Sitompul.

He said the magazine has not provided evidence for its allegation that Soeharto transferred US$9 billion to banks in Switzerland and Austria.

Kaligis said that a cartoon in the magazine, which depicted Soeharto hugging his private home in London, was also slanderous.

"It brings an impression to people that Soeharto is greedy."

Kaligis said in the hearing, which was also attended by Time's lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, that all media reports accusing the former president of amassing a billion-dollar fortune during his 32-year reign were baseless.

"They need a thorough investigation to reveal the truth," he said.

Soeharto filed a lawsuit against the weekly magazine last July, demanding US$27 billion for materials losses and US$ 40,000 for immaterial losses. These losses are claimed to result from Time's allegedly slanderous articles that he and his family amassed a US$15 billion fortune during his reign.

Judge Sihol adjourned the hearing until Feb. 15 to hear the Time lawyers' defense statement. (asa)