Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Since former president Soeharto`s death on Sunday (Jan 27), expressions of condolences have also been flowing in from Indonesia`s closest neighbors.
The former strongman who ruled Indonesia for 32 years, died on Sunday aged 86, suffering multiple organ failure.
In a letter to President Susilo Bambamg Yudhoyono, Singaporean President S R Nathan praised Soeharto for turning a "fractious country" with a "broken-back economy" into a modern state producing years of prosperity and stability. He also credited Soeharto for turning ASEAN into a premier regional organization.
Outgoing Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the expansion of ASEAN in the mid-1990s would not have been possible without Soeharto`s "blessing, commitment and leadership". Soeharto`s focus on peace and security made the region "far safer, stronger and more confident than it was decades ago," he said in a letter to President Yudhoyono.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed similar sentiments.
"As one of the fathers of ASEAN, President Soeharto was among those who had the pioneering vision of establishing a more peaceful, progressive and prosperous South-east Asian region founded on respect and understanding".
Former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer said Soeharto was a friend to Australia despite his "less than desirable" human-rights record.
"He had a very good vision for building a strong South-East Asian community and a prospective view about Australia being part of that," Downer told Australian Associated Press.
Xanana Gusmao, the first president of East Timor, expressed his deep condolences, according to the secretary general of the East Timor Reconstruction Party, Dionisio `Didi Babo, in a statement.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong made an official visit to the Indonesian embassy in Phnom Penh on Monday to lay a wreath and sign a condolence book in honor of the former president.(*)
The former strongman who ruled Indonesia for 32 years, died on Sunday aged 86, suffering multiple organ failure.
In a letter to President Susilo Bambamg Yudhoyono, Singaporean President S R Nathan praised Soeharto for turning a "fractious country" with a "broken-back economy" into a modern state producing years of prosperity and stability. He also credited Soeharto for turning ASEAN into a premier regional organization.
Outgoing Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the expansion of ASEAN in the mid-1990s would not have been possible without Soeharto`s "blessing, commitment and leadership". Soeharto`s focus on peace and security made the region "far safer, stronger and more confident than it was decades ago," he said in a letter to President Yudhoyono.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed similar sentiments.
"As one of the fathers of ASEAN, President Soeharto was among those who had the pioneering vision of establishing a more peaceful, progressive and prosperous South-east Asian region founded on respect and understanding".
Former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer said Soeharto was a friend to Australia despite his "less than desirable" human-rights record.
"He had a very good vision for building a strong South-East Asian community and a prospective view about Australia being part of that," Downer told Australian Associated Press.
Xanana Gusmao, the first president of East Timor, expressed his deep condolences, according to the secretary general of the East Timor Reconstruction Party, Dionisio `Didi Babo, in a statement.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong made an official visit to the Indonesian embassy in Phnom Penh on Monday to lay a wreath and sign a condolence book in honor of the former president.(*)
Copyright © 2008 ANTARA
No comments:
Post a Comment