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Suharto or Soeharto (8 June 1921 – 27 January 2008) was an Indonesian military leader and politician who served as the second president of Indonesia, holding the office for 31 years, from the ousting of Sukarno in 1967 until his resignation in 1998. While widely regarded by foreign observers as a dictator, the legacy of his 31-year rule is still debated at home and abroad.
Suharto in State of Jefferson[]
A message, purportedly written by Indonesian President Suharto, was delivered via Los Angeles-based Consul-General Kertosudiro, and Yreka-based "Honorary Consul" Asianto Supandy, to Governor Bill Williamson of Jefferson, in February 1981. It stated that General Suharto wished to inform the American people that not all Muslim nations were their enemies, and that Indonesian officials were seeking to do what they could to promote good relations between themselves and the brave people who endured captivity in Iran. Supandy, a Catholic, praised Suharto for allowing religious freedom in Indonesia.
Williamson told former Iran hostage Mark Gordon about the message. Gordon stated that General Suharto was a nasty, murderous son of a bitch, but as he had aligned Indonesia with the United States, that made him America's nasty, murderous son of a bitch. Williamson agreed with this, remembering Suharto's brutal overthrow of Sukarno.
| Political offices (OTL) | ||
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| Preceded by Sukarno |
President of Indonesia 1967–1998 |
Succeeded by B. J. Habibie |
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