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JAKARTA - INDONESIA'S President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono paid tribute to critically ill ex-dictator Suharto on Saturday, saying that his mistakes would not stop the nation from thanking him for his achievements.
Suharto, 86, was forced to step down a decade ago after 32 years of repressive and often brutal rule in the world's fourth-most populous nation.
While he presided over a remarkable economic transformation, Suharto's rule was marred by allegations of massive corruption that enriched his family and friends as well as of being complicit in major human rights abuses.
'The achievements and works that he carried out were not small things, especially like national development, even though as a human being, and like other leaders, Pak Harto had some deficiencies and made some mistakes,' Dr Yudhoyono told a press briefing, referring to Suharto by his affectionate name.
'This will not stop us from thanking him for his contribution and achievements, and service to our nation,' he said.
A failed coup attempt, blamed on communists, brought Suharto to power.
A conservatively estimated half a million sympathisers were killed in the failed revolt, while bloodshed occurred in annexed East Timor as well as restive Aceh and Papua.
Dr Yudhoyono visited Suharto after his admission to hospital on January 4 with heart, kidney and lung problems, and cut short an official trip to Malaysia by several hours to return on Saturday, a day after the former dictator suffered multiple organ failure.
Dr Yudhoyono did not however revisit Suharto.
Dr Yudhoyono's government, which was elected on an anti-corruption platform, has already been criticised by activists for being too soft on Suharto.
The three other governments which succeeded Suharto have also been reluctant to press charges, indicating the ongoing respect and lingering influence he commands among the elite in Indonesia. -- AFP
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