DATE=9/16/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TIMOR - PROTESTS (L)
NUMBER=2-253950
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Domestic opposition to the Indonesian
government's policy on East Timor, has again
spilled into the streets of Jakarta, and much of
the anger is now being directed at President B-J
Habibie. From Jakarta, Correspondent Kyle King
reports.
TEXT: The latest expression of anger began
outside the U-N building in Jakarta, where
several-hundred protesters gathered to denounce
the government.
// DEMO SOUNDS, FADES UNDER //
The protesters this time are the sons and
daughters of Indonesian soldiers who died
fighting the Portuguese in East Timor. A
spokesman for the group said they are furious at
the government for its handling of the crisis
there.
// PROTESTER ACT //
What is happening in Indonesia, they just
only say that it is the military that is
doing wrong over there. Actually this is
his (President Habibie's) policy that
makes it wrong. Not the military, the
military is only doing by (obeying)
orders. A soldier is not wrong, its the
commander is wrong.
// END ACT //
The group, the F-K-P-P-I, says President Habibie
should resign for mishandling the crisis.
Popular anger at the President's policies has
come from other political quarters as well.
Indonesian students clashed with police
Wednesday during a protest against foreign
interference in Indonesia's affairs. They also
blame President Habibie for the crisis.
In recent months the president has been damaged
by a banking and corruption scandal and analysts
like "Jakarta Post" managing editor Endy Bayuni,
say East Timor adds to the damage.
// ENDY ACT //
But I think the East Timor problem is the
one that really kills his political
chances to be elected as president in
November. Not just for the violence in
East Timor, but for allowing the ballot to
take place in the first place, and then
for losing that ballot.
// END ACT //
The Indonesian military has also been blamed for
helping to create the crisis in East Timor by
arming pro-Jakarta militias and in some cases
joining in the violence. But analysts say
President Habibi seems to be absorbing most of
the blame, and prospects of his being elected
president in November are increasingly dim.
(SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/RAE
16-Sep-1999 09:44 AM LOC (16-Sep-1999 1344 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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