NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DAILY CABLE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0001393500
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: June 22, 2015
• Document Release Date: November 20, 2009
• Case Number: F-2006-00081
• Publication Date: January 20, 1978

(b)(1)
(b)(3)
APPROVED FOR RELEASE - CIA
INFO ^ DATE: 09-Oct-2009
 INDONESIA: Political Situation
Top Indonesian military officials reportedl
held an
y
emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss the increasing political
tension between the government and student activists, who for
the first time are publicly calling for President Suharto's
removal. The generals apparently are divided over whether the
government should continue its moderate approach or order a
crackdown. Harsher measures run the risk of sparking Zarge-
scale demonstrations and violence. This woutd probably not
threaten Suharto's reelection in March, but heightened insta-
bility might eventuaZZy create fissures within the military
sufficient to undermine his power.
Although students thus far have heeded the militar
'
y
s
warning not to take to the streets, their sharper and more
personal attacks on Suharto have been well publicized. Students
have criticized Suharto for his inaccessibility, refusal to
share power with civilians, and tolerance of corruption. Stu-
dents in Bandung recently made an unprecedented public call for
Suharto's ouster, a demand that others in Jakarta are expected
to repeat.
Suharto has allowed the opposition a degree of free-
dom against the advice of some senior military officials
His
.
moderate approach probably stems from a desire to obtain even-
tual consensus for his reelection and his belief that severe
measures will only stiffen opposition. Prolonged student demon-
strations in the streets could undercut the President's already
d
li
i
ec
n
ng prestige and encourage the beginning of a quiet but
T?T