World leaders send condolence messages

JAKARTA (JP): Messages of condolence at the death of First Lady Mrs. Tien Soeharto poured in from world leaders and friends, including several from neighboring Australia.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard sent a cable on behalf of his government and the Australian people, expressing "sincere condolences" to President Soeharto.

Howard was only recently installed as prime minister and has not had the chance to meet with Soeharto.

His foreign minister, Alexander Downer, who was here a fortnight ago, in a separate cable to Soeharto said "Our recent meeting has added to the great sense of sadness I feel at the news of your loss."

Expressions of sympathy also came from Australian Governor General William Deane and former prime minister Paul Keating.

Antara reported that Keating, who during his term was known to have a close personal relationship with Soeharto, sent a hand written message through the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and her husband Prince Klaus also sent messages of sympathy.

Antara reported that Beatrix's father, Prince Bernhard, was personally informed of the death by telephone on Sunday by Indonesia's ambassador to The Hague, Soedarmanto Kadarisman.

India's prime minister said in his message that "I recall meeting with Ibu Tien Soeharto during my visit to Jakarta.

"We share your sense of personal loss," he told President Soeharto.

Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui, Premier Lien Chan and foreign minister Fredrick Chien all expressed sadness at Ibu Tien's passing.

Although Indonesia and Taiwan do not have diplomatic relations, Soeharto and Lee met each other during the Taiwanese leader's 1994 visit to Bali.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was another world leader who took time to send a message of sympathy. "I wish to hasten, dear friend, at this moment of mourning, by expressing my heartfelt condolences and genuine solace," Mubarak said.

Other leaders sending words of sympathy were Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Talal of Jordan and Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in his condolence message said he was deeply saddened at the death of Ibu Tien. (mds)