May 1998
 
May 29, 1998   
Morning Edition
Indonesia -- Host Lynn Neary talks with NPR's Julie McCarthy on this week's events in Indonesia. (3:58)
May 27, 1998   
Morning Edition
Habibie's Advisors -- NPR's Julie McCarthy reports on the reform committee that is consulting Indonesia's new president, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie. The committee, which includes several opposition leaders, will be advising Habibie on several upcoming, decisive matters, such as setting a date for the free general elections that will determine the country's new leader and ruling party. (4:33)

All Things Considered
Jailed Activists -- NPR's Mary Kay Magistad reports that two activists and two students arrested during recent demonstrations against Indonesia's former president Suharto were brought to trial today. Despite the new government's steps toward political reform, the court refused to dismiss the charges. Indonesia's judicial system is trying to come to terms with last week's abrupt change of government and that means determining whether the old laws still should be enforced. (4:00)

May 26, 1998   
Morning Edition
Indonesia's Economy --NPR's Mary Kay Magistad reports from Jakarta on the state of the Indonesian economy. The International Monetary Fund's top Asia officer arrived in Indonesia today to review the new government's economic policies. President B.J. Habibie has promised to adhere to the IMF's reform program in exchange for a bail-out of 43 BILLION dollars. IMF officials want to ensure that Habibie follows through on his pledge before releasing any more money. Spiralling prices triggered by the IMF reforms helped bring down President Suharto, who resigned last week. They have also forced down the standard of living for many Indonesians. (4:00)

All Things Considered
Indonesia -- All Things Considered host Linda Wertheimer talks with NPR's Mary Kay Magistad in Jakarta. They talk about recently appointed President Habibie's release of political prisoners and how Habibie's policies are taking shape. President Habibie met today with opposition leaders and renewed his commitment to the establishment of a free press. They also talk about the arrival of representatives from the International Monetary Fund, who are trying to settle on terms for the continued disbursement of money to the cash-strapped nation. (4:00)

May 25, 1998   
Morning Edition
New Indonesian Government --Host Bob Edwards talks with NPR's Julie McCarthy from Jakarta about the development of the new Indonesian government. It has granted amnesty to a pair of prominent dissidents and announced it will hold elections soon. (LIVE)

All Things Considered
Indonesia -- NPR's Julie McCarthy reports that Indonesia's Justice Minister says that political prisoners will be released under the new government that took over late last week following the resignation of President Suharto. The new regime under former Vice President and now President B.J. Habibie also has said that it will hold new elections. Suharto resigned under increasing pressure from students and other demonstrators demanding political and economic reform. (4:24)
May 24, 1998   
Morning Edition Sunday
Indonesia: NPR's Julie McCarthy reports from Indonesia on the unsettled issues left behind by last week's resignation of President Suharto as the country seeks national reconciliation. 5:00
May 23, 1998   
Morning Edition Saturday
Indonesia Update, New Cabinet --- A new Indonesian presidential cabinet was sworn in today, after an incredible week that saw a change in leadership, a show of military force and left student protesters backing down on their vigil of the Parliament building, but vowing not to give up their fight for political and economic reform. Scott speaks with NPR's Julie McCarthy. (3:45)
May 22, 1998   
Morning Edition
Stability in Indonesia? -- Host Bob Edwards talks with NPR's Julie McCarthy on the latest developments in Indonesia. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie has succeeded President Suharto and will serve out the remainder of the presidential term, which concludes in 2003. The announcement has met with mixed reactions from the beleaguered nation's citizenry. Critics fear that Habibie's placement represents an extension, rather than a conclusion, of Suharto's influence over the country. (4:57)

Indonesian Reaction -- Host Bob Edwards talks with Rizal Ramli, the executive director of Indonesia's ECONIT think tank, about Habibie's administration and its potential for reforms. (3:22)

All Things Considered
Jakarta Today -- NPR's Mary Kay Magistad talks with Linda about the Indonesian army's actions today. The military has ordered student protestors to vacate the Parliament building that the students have occupied for the last six days. Late Friday the students abandoned their vigil but they are still calling for reform. Despite former president Suharto's resignation and the appointment of BJ Habibie in his place, students are still calling for change: specifically, they are demanding new elections for a truly democratic government. (4:30)

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)