BBC News Online: World: South Asia

Suharto awarded South Africa's highest honour

The award was in recognition of his support for the anti-apartheid struggle and the economic embargo against the former white minority government.

Speaking to reporters after the presentation, the South African president, Nelson Mandela, said he had made good progress with Mr Suharto on the issue of East Timor and would be sending a report on their talks to the United Nations secretary-general, Kofi Annan.