World leaders send condolence messages

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)