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Suharto 1921-2008

"It is true that I liked him and valued his friendship"

- Paul Keating on Suharto, "Engagement" (2000)

Is there anything nice to say about a man who was responsible for the deaths of more than a million people, crushed at least three national independence movements, and embezzled billions of dollars? And to whom a succession of Australian Prime Ministers acquiesced most shamefully? (As, famously, did Gerald Ford and Henry Kissinger.)

Stock obituary from Associated Press just out. Read this 1998 press release from Transparency International about the Suharto family wealth published shortly after his resignation.

A couple of weeks ago, Al Jazeera English hosted a discussion of Suharto's legacy. Video (in two parts) on Youtube below. And check out, in particular, Suharto's former economic adviser as he defends his former boss.

ANTARA News :: Around 2,000 Indonesian islands may have disappeared by 2030

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Around 2000 islands in Indonesia may have
disappeared by 2030 following an expected rise in the sea level,
Yogyakarta Meteorology and Geophysics Office (BMG) chief Jaya Murjaya
said here on Wednesday [May 23].

"Up to 2030, the sea level will rise by eight to 29 centimeters and
engulf around 2,000 islands in Indonesia," Jaya Murjaya said in a
National Geographic Seminar at the Yogyakarta State University (UNY).

Not a Lincoln, just a Ford

Ever since rejecting the petty, power-mongering King George III of England during the war for independence, Americans have seemed to miss having royals to coddle. But whenever we give kingly treatment to a president upon his death, we cheat history.

- Editorial on the death of Gerald R.Ford, Boulder Daily Camera, 28.12.06

The memorial tour for the 38th US President will roll over the next few days. With Ford being an Episcopalian by religion, the Episcopal News Service has details on his funeral and his Episcopalian background.

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