Thousands of Indonesians are continuing their protests after President Suharto ruled out an immediate resignation as a means to end his country's on-going political crisis.

BBC Correspondent Simon Ingram reports from outside the Indonesian Parliament

In a speech broadcast live on nationwide television after days of escalating protests, the embattled leader promised to call elections as soon as the constitution allows.

He also promised to implement a programme of reform.

The new parliament would then elect a president, and President Suharto made clear that he would not be putting himself forward for the position.

Indonesian opposition activist Liem Soei Liong tells BBC World TV: "He could leave the scene with a lot of blood." (2'40")

"Elections will be implemented as soon as possible," Mr Suharto said. "I state that I am not prepared to be nominated as presidential candidate again."

However, the 76-year-old president gave no timescale for the elections.

He also said that he would not be regarded as a responsible leader if he quit before seeing changes through.

Any succession must follow the constitutional path if bloodshed and civil war were to be avoided, he said.

The BBC's Jonathan Head in Jakarta assesses the President's speech (1'48")

Mr Suharto added that simply leaving the position after 32 years in power would not resolve problems in Indonesia, which is suffering its worst economic crisis in decades.

The president said that to safeguard the nation and the state he would set up a committee of reform.

"I will immediately form a committee of reform whose membership will comprise public figures and academic experts and will have the task of rapidly settling the laws on elections, parties, the legislative anti-monopoly and anti-corruption."

Protest continues

Students celebrate parliamentary support

The president's refusal to quit drew criticism from Amien Rais, the leader of one of Indonesia's largest Muslim groups and a key opposition figure.

Mr Rais told the BBC that he was disappointed by President Suharto's decision, adding that the president was deceiving himself and buying time.

He said a mass anti-government demonstration planned for Wednesday would go ahead.

BBC's Jeremy Harris talks to a civil rights worker & a stockbroker about the demonstrations (3'07")

In the lead-up to the president's broadcast, thousands of students began to flood into the grounds of the parliament to press their demands for him to step down.

Student leaders said they would not leave until their demands were met.

BBC Correspondent David Willis in Jakarta : "Five thousand people have descended on the parliament building." (1'51")

Hundreds are sleeping in the hallways and some of them have prayed together at a mosque within the parliament compound.

The activity both in and outside the Indonesian parliament followed a call on Monday by its speaker Harmoko - previously a staunch ally of the president - for Mr Suharto to resign.

Role of military unclear

Military stands by the president

The standoff in Indonesia has been complicated by a statement from Indonesia's military chief, General Wiranto, who was thought to be sympathetic to demands for reform.

He came out in support of the president on Monday, saying he should stay in power and guide the implementation of political reforms.

Around 500 people have been killed in violence as hundreds of thousands of students pressed for Asia's longest-serving leader to resign.

Military tanks and heavily armed troops remained posted at key locations throughout the city as night fell on Tuesday.

Britain calls for fair elections

In London the Junior Foreign Minister Derek Fatchett told the House of Commons that Britain was urging the Indonesian government to ensure the promised elections would be free and fair.

Mr Fatchett called for an end to the violence on the streets of Jakarta. He also repeated the EU's demand that Indonesia respect the human rights of its citizens.

He added: "We have stressed the importance of political and economic reform. The two are now essential to recovery in Indonesia."
 

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