Sukarno Reappears 'Still President'

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31018, 25 March 1966, Page 13

Sukarno Reappears 'Still President '

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) DJAKARTA, March 24. A smiling President Sukarno last night dramatically made his first public appearance since delegating power to the Army Chief, Lieutenant-General Suharto, and declared he had not been toppled. “I am still president of Indonesia. “I am still Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

“I am still the leader of the Indonesian revolution.” he said in an impromptu speech in English, the Associated Press' reported.

Wearing his dark blue Supreme Commander’s uniform, President Sukarno had come from his guarded palace to attend the Pakistan National Day reception at the luxury Hotel Indonesia. He stayed for two hours speaking to guests and drinking champagne and soft drinks alternately, A.A.P.Reuter reported.

President Sukarno’s unexpected appearance underlined both the Indonesian President’s desire to retain his position, and the military’s wish to emphasise the legality of the change in the power structure by calling public attention to the fact that Sukarno remains titular Chief of State, the Associated Press said. Shelley Quoted Addressing the gathering, President Sukarno said: “If I am not mistaken, it was Shelley, the great British poet, who said no-one is really properly dressed unless he wears a smile. “I am always smiling, and not only to be properly dressed but also for some other reasons. I am smiling at the foreign correspondents.

“Not • you,” he declared, grinning broadly at the reporters and cameramen in a half circle around him. “1 don’t mean those here but those who write from abroad. “Abroad they say I have

been toppled. Abroad they say I have been ousted. Abroad they say I am a sick man, nearly dying. Abroad they say I nearly committed suicide. Abroad they say 1 have asked the Manila Government for asylum.” Are You There? A.A.P.-Reuter said he then turned around and called out, “Hey, where is Reyes (Philippines Ambassador), are you there?” “I am here,” Ambassador Narcisso Reyes answered from the back of of a group of diplomats. “Did I ask your Government for asylum?” President Sukarno smilingly asked. “Correct,” Ambassador Reyes retorted ironically—and President Sukarno and his audience joined in laughter. Then President Sukarno turned serious and said: “No, ladies and gentlemen, 1 did not ask for asylum, I am not ailing, I was not toppled, I did not commit suicide, because I love life.” President Sukarno greeted many guests, shaking hands with them. To the Thai Ambassador, Luang PhinitAkson’s pretty daughter, Sally, be said, “Sally, did anyone propose to you lately?” “Angry With You” Then he stepped in front of the Philippines Ambassador, Mr Reyes, and said, “I am angry with you.” To the Chinese Ambassador, Mr Yao Chung Ming, President Sukarno said: “The press reported you had left the country.” President Sukarno’s wife, Ratna Sari Dewi, dressed in Indonesian kain and kebaya

(blouse and skirt), happily snapped pictures of the scene.

She and the new Foreign Minister, Mr Adam Malik, also took pictures of each other.

Mr Adam Malik parried all questions about the formation of Indonesia’s new Government with the stock answer: “Wait, and be patient. It will take a few days more, maybe a week.” Indonesia’s Air Minister and Air Force Chief, Air ViceMarshal Sri Juljono Herlambang, resigned yesterday and was immediately replaced by Air Commodore Rusmin Nurjadin as acting Air Force Chief. Marshal Herlambang was appointed last October to replace Marshal Omar Dani who was sent abroad on an official mission after his controversial role in the abortive coup.