26 May 1998
Former Presiden Soeharto
Office of the President of the Republic Indonesia
Jakarta-Indonesia
Julius K. Nyerere: Melawan Imperialisme Ekonomi[1]
Dear Friend,
Like millions of the people in the world
I have over recent weeks and months been listening with concern and
sympathy to the news of happenings in Indonesia. There was nothing I
could to do help in your own and your government’s struggle to defend
the Indonesian economy against attack by Northern Banks and the
financiers; under those circumstances I could only pray that the peace
and unity of your country would prove strong enough to with stand the
forces of economic Imperalism.
You have decided that peace and renewed
progress of your country can now best be served by you standing down
from the office of President in favour of your legally designated
successor. Of Course I respect your judgment in this. My purpose in
writing now is, teherefore, quite simple.
As you return to private life I want
to thank you for the work you have done for the South Centre – and
thus I hope for the developing countries as a group – while you were the
President of your country. I also want to say how much I have
appreciated the constant encouragement wich I have received from you,
both while I was Chairman of the South Commision, and as I have been
working as chairman of the Centre.
Therefore please allow me to express
my personal good wishes for the future. I believe that history will
acknowledge the very great service you have given to your country and
its people.
Your Sincerely
Julius K. Nyerere
[1]
Dikutip langsung dari buku berjudul “Empati di Tengah Badai:
Kumpulan Surat Kepada Pak Harto 21 Mei – 31 Desember 1998″, (Jakarta:
Kharisma, 1999), hal 434. Surat ini merupakan salah satu dari 1074
surat yang dikirim masyarakat Indonesia dari berbagai pelosok, bahkan
luar negeri, antara tanggal 21 Mei – 31 Desember 1998, yang menyatakan
simpati setelah mendengar Pak Harto mengundurkan diri. Surat-surat
tersebut dikumpulkan dan dibukukan oleh Letkol Anton Tabah.
