Whispers in Djakarta

The temper of a country is often found in its wit. In Djakarta, the capital of the island nation of Indonesia, a government official last week whispered the latest crack: "Anyone who is not totally confused is just very badly informed." Another, and more troubling, crack is that what the tropical paradise of Indonesia needs is "a_cold winter or Mao Tse-tung." Lamented the Times of Indonesia: "Tension is in the air everywhere today. The one sentiment expressed on all sides is that of frustration."

Despite a climate in which anything grows, despite proven oilfields, brimming natural resources and a population of 87 million. Indonesia is mired by pocket-sized rebellions, technical ineptitude and whimsical administration. An overworked printing press has lately shot the rupiah (legally pegged at 11.40 to the dollar) as high as 200 on the black market. Commodity prices have risen 40% since January. And while its economy was deteriorating at an accelerated rate, its politics and its government were at a standstill.

Last week, after 68 days' gadding about the world, from Stockholm to Hollywood, from anti-Communist Turkey to Communist Viet Nam, jovial President Sukarno flew back to his stricken land. Anticipating his arrival, army commanders converged on the capital, took rooms in the rambling red brick Hotel des Indes, discussed the situation far into the night. Strongly supporting their chief of staff, Lieut. General Abdul Haris Nasution, 40, the officers still seem eager to seek a workable partnership with Sukarno. Urging a return to the President's 1945 constitution and a further dose of "guided" democracy, they demanded a more streamlined administration--under army control--to get the economy back on its feet.

Sukarno appeared totally unconcerned at a reception in his splendid white palace on the evening of his arrival. Sitting on a brocaded sofa, he chatted with politicians and children, completely ignored General Nasution and his restive colonels across the room.

Two days later able General Nasution summoned a rare press conference, admitted that he had not yet been able to speak to the President, but insisted confidently that in the next Cabinet "the army will have more control over security and economic affairs." At week's end, President Sukarno visibly reasserted his power by decreeing the end of the Constituent Assembly and seizing dictatorial powers.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.