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[Sheila MESA <smm@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches
Press Release
For Immediate Use
15 May 1998

INDONESIA: WCC URGES GOVERNMENT TO SHOW RESTRAINT AND
INTRODUCE POLITICAL REFORMS

The following statement has been issued by Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser,
General Secretary of the World Council of Churches:

"The World Council of Churches expresses its profound concern and
dismay at the recent developments in Indonesia that have, according to
some reports, left 24 students and civilians dead, as a result of the
growing unrest and violence in the country.  Scores of others have been
injured, and many students and pro-democracy activists are reported
missing.

The present turmoil in Indonesia started with the economic and financial
crisis that led to demands for social and political reforms. The students
who are in the forefront of the movement for reforms have called for
accountability and an end to corruption in government circles. The
government, instead of listening to the grievances of the people and
responding positively, resorted to reprisals through military means, thus
exacerbating the situation.

The root cause of the present socio-economic and political crisis in
Indonesia lies in years of misrule, corruption and human rights violations
which over the years have come to symbolise the military and the ruling
elites. To reverse this trend, President Suharto's government is under
pressure to accept the demands of the people for a more transparent
and participatory political system. 

Deeply concerned by these developments, the World Council of
Churches urges the Indonesian government to exercise restraint and to
make every effort to prevent any further escalation of violence. 
Immediate steps should be taken to introduce political reforms and to stop
kidnappings, the forced disappearances of citizens and violations of
human rights.  

The World Council of Churches expresses its appreciation and support
for the position taken by the Executive Board of the Communion of
Churches in Indonesia in its statement of  the 7th May, and assures it of
the WCC's continuing prayers and support for the people of Indonesia."

**********
The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 332, in
more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions.  The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but
works cooperatively with the WCC.  The highest governing body is the
Assembly, which meets approximately every seven years.  The WCC
was formally inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.  Its staff is
headed by general secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church
in Germany.

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