Wednesday, October 20, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 7
7
World
Indonesian assembly accepts Timor vote, rejects president
Legislature endorses East Timor's intent to leave Indonesia
The Associated Press
JAKARTA, Indonesia—Indonesia's top legislative body dealt what appeared to be a crushing blow yesterday to President B.J. Habibie's hopes of staying in a session that also recognized East Timor's independence.
The 700-member People's Consultative Assembly was to vote later yesterday on who would lead the world's fourth most-populous country in its continuing transition from authoritarian rule to democracy.
The legislators voted 355-322 to reject Habibie's speech defending his controversial 16 months in office. That could prompt the ruling Golkar Party to replace him as its nominee in the presidential vote later today.
Soon after the vote against Habibie, the special assembly endorsed East Timor's independence referendum, paving the way for the half-island territory to become the world's newest nation.
The decision brought some closure to an emotional issue, although the threat of attacks by pro-Indonesia militias remains a serious concern for the international peacekeeping force in East Timor.
The actual handover of the territory to a United Nations transitional team is expected by the end of the year.
Habibie was appointed to take control of the presidency when authori
tarian President Suharto, his mentor, stepped down in the face of violent protests after 32 years of iron-fisted rule.
In an emotional speech Monday,
Habibie urged Indonesians to let him stay in office to continue democratic reforms.
"I don't want to say goodbye. I don't want to bid farewell," he told several hundred soldiers and police at a national monument in central Jakarta.
Even before the assembly vote, Habibie's chances of staying in office were in serious doubt after Gen. Wiranto, the defense minister and commander of Indonesia's powerful military, refused an invitation to be his vice presidential candidate.
Habibie had been expected to stand as Golkar's candidate against Megawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of the country's first president, and Abdurrahman Wahid, the founder of the Muslim-oriented National Awakening Party.
The special assembly spent yesterday in speeches and statements before finally bringing up the secret ballot vote on Habibie.
The vote count went on past midnight, and when it became clear Habible would lose, cheers erupted from some people in the hall.
The assembly then endorsed East Timor's Aug. 30 vote to break away from Indonesia, which took control of the former Portuguese colony in 1975.
East Timor's overwhelming vote for independence led to a wave of killing, looting and arson by pro-Indonesian militias and their Indonesian military allies that only ended with the deployment of an Australian-led multinational peace
"I don't want to say goodbye. I don't want to bid farewell"
B.J. Habibie Indonesian President
keeping force.
As the assembly debated, thousands demonstrated outside in the streets of the capital, Jakarta.
A line of riot police kept flag-waving demonstrators from rival political camps apart at the city's main traffic circle, a focal point of protests. Later, several thousand Megawati supporters gathered there.
As many as 5,000 Habibie supporters marched from the central business district toward parliament demanding the legislature not elect Megawati, whose party won the most of seats in parliament in a June election but failed to win a majority.
Habibie, Wiranto and Jakarta's police chief had issued stern warnings that they will not tolerate demonstrations that close main Jakarta thoroughfares.
Twice last week, police and soldiers fired tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse large, anti-Habibie demonstrations outside parliament and in the city's business center. Dozens of people were hospitalized or arrested.
Since then, daily protests have been held at major crossings in the capital, but they have remained peaceful.
Members will return later today for the scheduled presidential selection.
BEDS • DESKS • CHEST OF DRAWERS • BOOK CASES
unclaimed freight & damaged merchandise
936 Mass.
Kansas Jayhawker YEARBOOK
t-shirt
OR
100 % COTTON
MADE IN
NORTHERN MARIANA
ISLANDS (U.S.A.) OF
IMPORTED FABRIC
OVER FOR CARE
100 % MEMORIES
MADE IN
THE UNIVERSITY OF
KANSAS (U.S.A.) OF
FRIENDS & FUN
XXL
OVER FOR CARE
{ remember the best years of your life }
come by our offices in the Kansas Union, room 428
864-3728
OR
Stewart Nowlin
4609 Harvard, Lawrence, KS 66049
842-8886·nsnowlin@grapevine.net Mailing address: P.O. Box 442264, Lawrence KS 66044
- Photography
- Photographs of water in the Midwestern landscape, from the realistic to the abstract. A freelance photographer trained in art who is willing to nudge bears aside for a shot.
Nathan Muggy (deceased)
- Photography
- Photographs of "street people" with candid expressions and multiple-exposures of deaf signing to convey the deaf culture.
Jayhawk Bookstore
1420 Crescent Road Lawrence, Kansas 66044 ..at the top of Naismith Hill
(785) 843-3826
FAX(785)843-9578
Friday, October 22,1999 • 10:00 p.m.-2:30 a.m. @ the Kansas Union
"We'll scare the 'Hawk out of you"
M
U STUDENTS: Just bring your KUID, it's FREE!
HAUNTED HAWK NIGHTS
Level 5: (Woodruff Auditorium) Delicatessen (Movie) @ Midnight
Level 4: (Lobby) Dance, Food, and Fun!!!
Level 1: Halloween Techno Bowl
Optional Costume Contest with PRIZES!! Many Door Prizes!
fresh mint
Nellie Kim 749-0938 or Chris Leiszler 843-9188
Sponsored by: ASCA, AURH, KU LEAD, SUA, SAA, Chi Omega, Student Senate, Sigma Nu, GAMMMA
If you have any questions, please call:
club best
Buses running from 1:00 a.m.-3:00 a.m. to take you home
Hope to see you there!
Tonight 2001 Malott
Pizza will be provided, courtesty of
General Meeting Topic: Dental Admission Test Preparation
club oral fixation at its best
The University of Kansas School of Fine Arts Lied Center Series and SCA present
"The new voice in Brazilian music."-The New York Times
VIRGINIA RODRIGUES
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1999 - 7:00 PM
Tickets on sale at the Lied Center Box Office (785) 864-ARTS, BuiX Office (785) 864-3477, or click Ticketmaster at (785) 234-4545, (816) 931-3300.
Tickets only $7.50 for students
3