 May
21, 1998
Morning Edition
Suharto Resigns -- NPR's Julie
McCarthy reports that President Suharto of Indonesia has officially resigned after
thirty-two years in office. The resignation follows an extensive period of rioting,
demonstrations, and failed economic reforms. In a televised national address, Suharto
asked forgiveness for "any mistakes and shortcomings on my part". Shortly after,
Vice-President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie was sworn in as his successor. A surprise
announcement that Habibie is to fulfill the remainder of Suharto's presidential term -
which lasts until 2003 - has angered many opposition leaders who have been demanding
quicker reforms. Student reaction to the resignation has been overwhelmingly euphoric.
(4:41)
U.S. Reaction -- Host Bob
Edwards talks with NPR's Ted Clark on reactions in Washington to Suharto's resignation.
(3:50)
Indonesia Reacts to Suharto's
Resignation -- NPR's Mary Kay Magistad reports on the resignation of Indonesian ruler
Suharto and has reactions from the nation's citizenry on this event. (4:38)
Suharto's Successor -- Host Bob
Edwards talks with Donald Emerson of the political science department of the University of
Wisconsin - Madison, about Suharto's chosen successor, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie. Habibie
was sworn in shortly after Suharto stepped down, raising questions about Indonesia's
future and the possibility of renewed discontent and violence. (4:11)
All Things Considered
Habibie -- NPR's Mary Kay
Magistad reports from Jakarta on the surprise emergence of B.J. Habibie as Indonesia's new
president. His first speech today has now set the tone for his administration -- and the
cabinet he names will likely indicate whether this old crony of former president Suharto's
is able to restore confidence and stability in Indonesia. (5:00)
Chronology -- NPR's Ted Clark
reports on the events that led to the collapse today of the 32-year tenure of Indonesian
president Suharto. The crisis began not in Indonesia, but in Thailand, where the Asian
economic bubble first burst, setting in motion a regional economic crisis that the
corrupt, crony-ridden Suharto regime was ultimately unable to resolve. (6:30)
Habibie & Suharto --
We'll hear an excerpt from Indonesian President BJ Habibie's first address to the people
of Indonesia today, following the resignation of former president Suharto. (2:00)
Student Protests -- Robert
talks with Shelvy Lolita, one of the leaders of the student protest movement in Indonesia.
She attends the University of Indonesia in Jakarta. She talks about what the students
would like to see happen now that Suharto has resigned the presidency. (4:30)
IMF -- Indonesia's
newly-installed President Habibie moved quickly to reassure the international community
that he intends to honor Indonesia's commitments to the International Monetary Fund.
Indonesia has promised to carry out many difficult reforms as part of a $43 billion
economic rescue package. The IMF has decided to delay any additional dispersements while
IMF officials review the situation in Indonesia. NPR's John Ydstie reports. (3:30) |
