INDONESIA: PRESIDENT WAHID REJECTS ACCUSATIONS

President of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid cancelled his expected visit to Australia due to increased political pressures at home. The President appeared before the Indonesian parliament today to deliver his response to a censure motion implicating him in 2 multimillion dollar financial scandals. In his speech, Mr.Wahid rejected any suggestion of personal wrongdoing and apologised for any wrong actions he may have committed unwillingly. The Indonesian parliament will now consider possible further action in relation to the President's alleged involvement in a 4 million dollar donation from Brunei and a spectacular embezzlement committed by his personal masseur from a government agency. Australian media quote analysts claiming the Parliament is likely to proceed with the impeachment, attempting to remove Mr.Wahid from the office later this year. If it happens, Miss Megawati Sukarnoputri - the current Vice-President - is certain to become the next head of state. The change on top is likely to change the style of government in Indonesia, bringing it closer to the old authoritarian ways. Miss Sukarnoputri currently enjoys an increased support of the Army, eager to regain its former political role in Indonesia. Experts here claim that the former Army chief General Wiranto recently became a close political advisor to Miss Sukarnoputri. Relations between Australia and Indonesia remain poor since the Australian invasion of East Timor in 1999.

Henry L. Marconi Pravda.Ru Sydney, Australia