Suharto To Be Sworn In

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31317, 13 March 1967, Page 13

Suharto To Be Sworn In

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) DJAKARTA, March 12. Indonesia’s policy-making People’s Congress will tonight swear in the Army leader General Suharto as Acting-Pres-ident, replacing Dr. Sukarno.

The ceremony will formally conclude a week of Congress sessions where members drafted a carefully worded declaration removing Dr. Sukarno after 22 years. The full Congress met today and is expected to confirm the recommendations of the special committee on Dr. Sukarno’s future. The committee’s decision, adopted unanimously, said: President Sukarno had failed to meet his constitutional responsibilities as he should have done as mandatory of the Congress.

As mandatory he had not been able to carry out the course and decisions of the Congress as he should have according to the constitution. Congress accordingly withdraws its mandate and all his powers. Congress appoints General Suharto Acting President until a new President is elected by the Congress. The Acting President is responsible to the Congress.

The solution to the future judicial problem involving Dr. Sukarno is entrusted to the Acting President.

The validity of these decisions is retroactive to February 22 this year (the date when General Suharto assumed full powers from Dr. Sukarno). Dr. Sukarno is banned from political activities until the General Election. General Suharto is ap- ■ pointed Acting President in ' acordance with the 1945 In- ■ donesian Constitution which says: . “In the case of the President’s decease, resignation or I inability to exercise his

duties during his term of office, the Vice-President shall act for him up to the expiry of the President’s term of office." Careful Wording

But General Suharto will be known as Acting President, not Vice-President. The careful wording of the committee’s decisions, which do not actually mention the dismissal or removal of Dr. Sukarno from office is aimed at forestalling violent reaction from Dr. Sukarno's supporters in Central and East Java.

Firing Squad Brigadier-General Mustafa Sjarif Supardjo, the alleged military brain behind the 1965 attempted coup in Indonesia, faces an almost certain death sentence by firing squad when he appears before a special Military Court tomorrow.

General Supardjo, aged 44, the former commander of Indonesian troops in West Borneo, is accused of assisting in an armed revolt and plotting to overthrow tbe Government He denies the charges.