NEWS - Indonesian Students Urge Ab

[RangoonPost@xxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS -  Indonesian Students Urge Abolition of the Military's ...

In a message dated 10/11/99 5:21:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Thakin writes:

<< Title: Indonesian Students Urge Abolition of the Military's "Dual Role"
 Date: 08-OCT-1099
 Author: unspecified
 Source: Jakarta Post (by way of Rachel Rinaldo
 <rarinald@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>)
 Style: mainstream news
 Reference: none
 
 At least 300 students from various universities staged a peaceful rally
 in Jakarta on Thursday to urge newly elected legislators to abolish the
 dual role of the Indonesian Military and to prevent the Soeharto regime
 from returning to power.
 
 The protesters, calling themselves members of the Student Action Front
 for Reform and Democracy (FAMRED), wanted assurance from the lawmakers
 that the New Order regime, led by former president Soeharto, would not
 rule the next government, which is scheduled to be formed later this
 month.
 
 The crowds of students caused heavy traffic congestion when they marched
 to the traffic circle in front of Hotel Indonesia, where most of the
 legislators are staying.
 
 The traffic circle, located on the city's main streets in the business
 district, has become a regular site for students and demonstrators to
 air their protests after the downfall of Soeharto last year.
 
 After protesting for three hours, the students left the traffic circle
 at 4 p.m. and marched to the nearby Proclamation Monument to hold a
 sit-in for three days starting yesterday evening.
 
 It was the latest in a series of protests the students have launched
 during the sessions of the People's Consultative Assembly and the House
 of Representatives, despite calls from police and
 political leaders to refrain from staging rallies.
 
  >>