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Suharto Leaves Complex Legacy

Posted Jan 28, 08 11:20 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – The death of Suharto, Indonesia's ferociously anti-communist dictator for more than 30 years, leaves islanders ambivalent: On the one hand, he created economic prosperity; on the other, he enriched himself and his cronies, and brutally suppressed opponents, leaving hundreds of thousands imprisoned or dead. "He was 50% good and 50% bad," a historian tells the Christian Science Monitor.

"Rice was cheap, streets were peaceful, but people were scared," a clerk said. Having evaded criminal charges for siphoning off $600 million in state funds because of poor health, Suharto has been forgiven even by many Indonesians who were victims. "As a man, I forgive him," said a Muslim leader imprisoned by Suharto, "but not his system of power."

Source Christian Science Monitor

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Indonesian soldiers carry the coffin of Suharto's body during the funeral at Astana Giribangun cemetery in Karang Anyar, Central Java, Indonesia, Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. Suharto who died Sunday, was mourned...   (Associated Press)
Former Indonesian President Suharto, right, salutes after announcing his resignation in a nationwide television address in Jakarta, Indonesia, in this May 21, 1998 file photo, marking the end of his...   (Associated Press)
Former Indonesian President Suharto gestures to journalists as he sits on a wheelchair upon leaving Pertamina Hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia in this May 11, 2005 file photo. Former dictator Suharto,...   (Associated Press)
Indonesian soldiers carry the coffin containing the body of former dictator Suharto at Astana Giribangun cemetery in Karang Anyar, Central Java, Indonesia, Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. Suharto, who died Sunday,...   (Associated Press)
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obituary  • corruption  • Indonesia  • Suharto  • military rule  • international development


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