Statement by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto on the Resignation of President Suharto of Indonesia

1. I have just heard the news (11:00 a.m. Japan time) that President Suharto of Indonesia has resigned.
   
   
2. For more than 30 years, President Suharto, as the Father of Development, has accomplished great achievements in developing Indonesia and raising the country's international status.
   
   
3. He has also contributed to enhancing relations between Japan and Indonesia. It is still fresh in our memory, in particular, that he extended assistance to us as a friend when Japan was faced with an oil crisis. I again express my gratitude for the efforts made by President Suharto for developing our bilateral relations.
   
   
4. I pay sincere respect to President Suharto's great contributions as one of the ASEAN leaders to the peace and stability of the international community.
   
   
5. Indonesia is now moving to a new regime. I sincerely pray that Indonesia will achieve social stability and economic recovery as soon as possible. Japan is determined to keep assisting the Indonesian people's efforts for reform.