6957. IrvingSnodgrass - May 21, 1998 - 1:42 AM PDT

Habibie's "spokeswoman" has reported that Habibie will allow greater press freedom, and will fight corruption and nepotism. Let's look at his record in these areas:

Press Freedom--In 1994 when he decided to carry out his crackpot scheme of buying the former East German Navy, the move was criticized by several leading journals. Habibie had their publication permits revoked. This included Indonesia's leading newsmagazine "Tempo"... it's like "Time" magazine being banned for telling the truth. "Tempo" has never returned to publication, and its former editor, Goenawan Mohamad, has become one of the most vocal of opposition critics.

Corruption--

Habibie is rumored to be phenomenally wealthy, although he has never been more than a civil servant. His official salary in this position was probably never more than $25,000/year, yet his American home (in the Seattle area) is rumored to be one of the largest and fanciest in the area... one report places it second to Bill Gates's mansion. America, it should be noted, is his third home, after homes in Jakarta and Germany.

Nepotism--

While he was Minister of Research and Technology, Habibie had his brother appointed as a Director General. When Habibie decided to expand his National Airplane project (which never sold a single airplane for cash except to his own government) to include a *Jet* Airplane project, guess who was chosen to head up this prestigious new venture? Habibie's son.

And this is the guy who is going to lead us into a new era of reformation?