-Caveat Lector- Indonesian government calls off Suharto corruption investigation By Seth Mydans and Philip Shenon NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE October 12, 1999 JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The government of President B.J. Habibie yesterday announced that it was dropping an investigation of possible corruption by former President Suharto, defying public sentiment days before an assembly is to choose the next president. In a statement that drew an angry response, Attorney General Ismudjoko said that a yearlong investigation had failed to find enough evidence to proceed with a case against Suharto, 78. Ismudjoko's inquiry centered on what had seemed the most accessible area of investigation, a complex of seven charitable foundations. Critics said Suharto had laundered huge payoffs through those foundations as part of a corrupt regime that earned him many billions of dollars. Habibie did not comment Monday. But the announcement appears to reflect his continuing allegiance to his longtime mentor. Habibie succeeded Suharto when he was forced to resign in May 1998. Some analysts said the move also reflected worries among Habibie and other veterans of Suharto's government that they could be tarred by a genuine and wide-ranging investigation into corruption. "We expected this," said Tenten Masduki, who heads Indonesian Corruption Watch. "No one in this country is brave enough to put Suharto on trial." But the announcement also sharpened what will be one of Habibie's crucial liabilities as an electoral assembly makes its endorsement next week for the next president -- his closeness to Suharto. Most assembly members were elected in a nationwide vote in June. Habibie's party came in second to the party of Megawati Sukarnoputri. But both candidates remain strong contenders for the presidency, which the 700-member assembly is to decide Oct. 20. A deputy chairman of Megawati's party, Kwik Kian Gie, criticized the announcement and the entire investigation. "It is very clear that all of this is just a mockery," he said. He promised that Megawati would reopen the inquiry if she won the presidency. A number of assembly members also voiced criticism, including the parliamentary representative of the powerful military bloc. Even the party that Habibie inherited from Suharto, Golkar, saw a backlash on the day before it is to announce whether it will continue to back Habibie as its candidate. "Politically, this is a major factor," said Marzuki Darusman, who heads an anti-Habibie faction in Golkar. "It could damage Habibie's candidacy." Meanwhile, in Dili, East Timor, the U.N.-backed peacekeeping force in East Timor accused the Indonesian army of providing support to an anti-independence militia that fired on peacekeepers over the weekend, raising fears that the army has decided to try to sabotage the peacekeeping operation. Australian Maj. Gen. Peter Cosgrove expressed suspicions that Indonesian soldiers and police officers joined the militia members in firing on the Australian peacekeepers with assault rifles Sunday. Copyright 1999 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
