INDONESIA: OPPOSITION LEADER AMIEN RAIS PRESS CONFERENCE

(20 May 1998) English/Nat

Amien Rais, Indonesia's most prominent Suharto critic, said it's time for the country's leader of 32 years to go.

And Indonesia's main opposition leader said on Wednesday that a government source told him President Suharto will announce his resignation within the next 24 hours.

Rais said that according to Constitutional experts, BJ Habibie, Indonesia's Vice President, would automatically take over the government, but he indicated that Habibie's rule may be short term.

As Rais made his announcement, the military took control of the riot-damaged capitol Jakarta.

Hundreds of thousands of Indonesians marched against Suharto across the nation on Wednesday, while political leaders continued to jockey for his ouster.

With barbed wire and tanks, platoons of soldiers sealed off a park next to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta to block a huge anti-government protest.

Rais said he believes Suharto's resignation would mean the end of the protests, which have left more than 500 dead.

Police estimated that some 250,000 people protested on Wednesday in Yogyakarta, Suharto's hometown, to demand that he step down immediately.

Other witnesses said the turnout was twice that number.

Large but peaceful protests also erupted in a half dozen other cities - including Bogor, Bandung, Solo and Ujung Pandang - and students occupied Parliament for the third straight day.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
''There will be, I hope, a statement, official statement, by Suharto, concerning his most probably, his resignation, maybe, yeah.
Question - Why do you expect that?
Answer - Why because I got to see my authentic news (government source) before midnight, that most probably the old man has resigned and he will give a national speech tomorrow morning between 7 and 8. This is what I heard, I could be mislead by this news, you know. But I believe Suharto's days are numbered, I think he is counting his days, you know. So there is no other alternative than he should resign, and I hope my prediction is right.''
SUPER CAPTION: Amien Rais, Indonesian Opposition Leader

SOUNDBITE: (English)
''I think the nation will be happy, will be relieved, because Suharto is the problem. So by getting rid of him, I think the nation, including me, will feel, you know, gratified, satisfied, happy. And from then on I think we can talk about economic reforms, political reforms, you know, after this obstacle has been eliminated from the scene.''
SUPER CAPTION: Amien Rais, Indonesian Opposition Leader

SOUNDBITE: (English)
''According to the Constitution the Vice President will take over the job. He will be sworn in, you know, as the new president. But let me tell you that according to what I have heard from the different peoples, from all walks of life, Habibie could be just the temporary of this country. I think he has to just prepare, you know, the next session of the People's Assembly, to install new president and vice president.''
SUPER CAPTION: Amien Rais, Indonesian Opposition Leader

SOUNDBITE: (English)
I could be wrong. Yes, I think this way I put my reputation at stake. If tomorrow Suharto uh, talk with the same substance, that 'yes, I will resign, but I will step down, however,' I think I would be somewhat embarrassed. However, I can tell you will full confidence that his days are numbered believe me.''
SUPER CAPTION: Amien Rais, Indonesian Opposition Leader

SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Amien Rais, Indonesian Opposition Leader

SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Amien Rais, Indonesian Opposition Leader

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