(13 Jan 1998) T/I: 10:11:37


A special envoy of US President Bill Clinton on Tuesday (13/01) met with Indonesian President Suharto to urge him to carry out crucial economic reforms to restore confidence in Southeast Asia's largest economy.
US Deputy Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, heading a
high-powered US mission to Asia, said Suharto agreed on the need
for "strong steps" after receiving a direct message from Clinton
on the importance of reforms.
Indonesian share prices rose sharply while the local currency,
the rupiah, held steady on expectations of a positive outcome
from the US mission's visit and ongoing talks between Jakarta
and an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission.
Under an IMF-engineered bailout totalling more than 40 billion
US dollars, Indonesia vowed to dismantle trading monopolies,
restore health into the ailing banking sector, and scrap or
suspend costly infrastructure projects, including some affecting
the Suharto family's vast business interests.
Meanwhile supporters of opposition leader Megawati Sukarnoputri
have protested in Jakarta, calling on the authorities to allow
her to be included as a candidate in the presidential race for
the upcoming elections.
In a surprise move on Saturday Megawati declared she was ready
to stand for president, maintaining "32 years is enough" under
Suharto.
Suharto, 76, has been in power since 1966 but was only appointed
as acting president to replace founding president Sukarno in
1967 and subsequently became president the following year.
He has run unopposed in the five presidential elections held
since, and is widely believed to be seeking another term at a
convention of the country's highest ruling body, the People's
Consultative Assembly, in March which will appoint the new
president.
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Restrictions: NONE
SHOWS:

JAKARTA, INDONESIA 13/1
VS Jakarta skyline,
high-shot traffic on street,
pan down building to traffic;
Exterior of stock exchange;
VS interiors of stock exchange;
Exterior of Shanghai bank;
Interior of queues at teller desk,
foreign exchange desk,
US dollars being counted,
US Deputy Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers arriving at the foreign ministry offices;
walking shots;
Anti-IMF demonstration outside for ministry offices;
SOT demonstrator (in English): "As a nation we have to sort our problem with our selves, not with America, not with the IMF and also the other countries."
Summers leaving after his meeting,
Summers getting into his car and driving away;
Pro-Megawati supporters marching towards parliament,
Demonstrators on parliament steps.
Photo-op Summers meeting Indonesian president Suharto.

3.02

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