Jim Fish looks back on the riots of May 1998

An official investigation ordered by President BJ Habibie said that the army had attempted something very close to a coup d'etat - although it did not say whether it would have been for or against the then President Suharto.

The chairman of the inquiry, Marzuki Darusman, said there was clearly a conspiracy to cause a crisis.

The group says President Habibie is responsible for implementing the recommendations

The only individual singled out for blame is Mr Suharto's son-in law, Major-General Prabowo Subianto. The report calls for him to be court-martialled for his role in the disappearance of political activists.

He is believed to have played a key role in the riots.

At the time Major-General Prabowo headed the key Strategic Reserve forces. He has since been disciplined and removed from active service, although he has not been court-martialled.

The report also calls for other military officers to be held responsible.

Pressure on Habibie

The recommendations will increase pressure on President Habibie's government - both from the still-powerful army, which it cannot afford to alienate, and from continuing public demands for greater democracy.

Report recommends court martial for Major-General Prabowo

The army has traditionally been a powerful influence on Indonesian politics - it is allocated a large number of seats in the parliament. Many Indonesians now want this privilege removed.

Over 1,000 people died in the riots that hit Jakarta and at least five other cities across Indonesia in May, eventually forcing President Suharto to resign and to be replaced by BJ Habibie.

Witnesses interviewed for the report said they saw men with short, military-style haircuts roaming the capital and other cities urging crowds to riot.

Ethnic Chinese raped

Much of Jakarta descended into anarchy. Many who died were looters, trapped in burning buildings.

Anti-government protests continue throughout Indonesia

The report also confirms at least 52 cases of ethnic Chinese women being targeted for rape or sexual abuse.

Senior Indonesian officials had denied that there was any evidence of such attacks.

The Chinese minority, which dominates the economy, has been a frequent target of attacks as Indonesia endures a period of prolonged economic hardship.

The report was compiled by an 18-member fact-finding team, involving the National Commission on Human Rights, non-governmental organisations, as well as the army and police.

The investigators say it is now up to the government to implement their recommendations. These include further investigations of the military, and compensation for the victims of the riots.