SUHARTO: FORMER PRESIDENT IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000033 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ID SUBJECT: SUHARTO: FORMER PRESIDENT IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION REF: EMBASSY JAKARTA - OPS-CENTER TELCONS 1/5/2008 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Former Indonesian President Suharto remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition after his physical condition deteriorated sharply on Saturday, January ¶5. The media and public are closely following his condition. Suharto's supporters have called for the Indonesian government to halt an outstanding corruption case against him; opponents have rejected the appeal. END SUMMARY ¶2. (SBU) RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL: Former Indonesian President Suharto was hospitalized late Friday, January 4, after complaining of severe fatigue for several days. For several hours Suharto's life appeared to hang in the balance as his blood circulation to vital organs became sharply impaired. After visiting Suharto on January 5, President Yudhoyono appeared on television and told the nation former president's condition was critical. A parade of Indonesia's political elite visited him in the hospital. ¶3. (SBU) STABILIZED: A team of 40 physicians treated the 86-year old former ruler throughout the weekend for anemia and severe edema (swelling of internal organs). After a blood transfusion and dialysis, Suharto's condition improved but was still listed as critical. He is now reportedly able to communicate, but doctors have kept him on medication and may install a new pacemaker. He remains in intensive care at Jakarta's Pertamina Hospital. ¶4. (SBU) A HISTORY OF AILMENTS: The aging Suharto has battled a string of illnesses since leaving power in 1998. In July 1999, he suffered the first of a series of strokes, and doctors installed a pacemaker in 2001 to correct an irregular heartbeat. He has also suffered from intestinal bleeding, hypertension and chronic anemia. In 2006, Suharto's lawyers blocked an attempt to prosecute him for corruption by arguing that he was too ill to stand trial. ¶5. (SBU) CIVIL SUIT HANGS IN BALANCE: The Indonesian media has covered Suharto's current illness in great detail and many public figures, including some former political adversaries, have spoken warmly of his contributions to the nation. Agung Laksono, Speaker of the National Assembly (DPR) and Chairman of the Golkar party, which Suharto created, has called on the government to drop a civil case against Suharto. (Note: While a criminal case against Suharto was halted in 2006, a civil case continues seeking to recover $1.4 billion in state funds allegedly diverted to his private foundation, Supersemar.) Former president Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) rejected the appeal and called upon the Attorney General to continue the civil case. HUME