World in brief: Suharto’s condition worse, doctor says
Former Indonesian dictator Suharto’s health appeared to be worsening today, with signs of internal bleeding and fluid building up in his lungs, the chief presidential doctor said.
The 86-year-old was suffering from anemia, a dangerously low heart rate and swollen internal organs when he was admitted to Pertamina Hospital in critical condition Friday. He responded well to a blood transfusion and dialysis treatment, but today, Suharto’s condition deteriorated, said Dr. Subiandono.
Suharto has been accused of overseeing a brutal purge of more than half a million left-wing opponents at the outset of his 32-year reign. Though he has also faced charges of embezzling state funds, he has evaded prosecution.
Since his ouster by a pro-democracy uprising in 1998, Suharto has lived a secluded life on a leafy lane in the capital, Jakarta, rarely venturing from his mansion, but a steady stream of high-profile guests still flock to see him on birthdays and Islamic holidays, a sign of the lingering influence he has over the ruling elite.
Warsaw
New Polish leader takes tough line
Poland’s new prime minister broke from the pro-U.S. stance of his predecessor, saying in comments published Monday he will not rush a decision on hosting a U.S. missile defense base.
The tough line suggests the Bush administration’s clout with allies is weakening.
With new leadership coming soon to Washington, Poland and the Czech Republic may be asking themselves if it is worth toeing President Bush’s line on missile defense when the next president may pull the plug on the program.
The two nations attracted the ire of Russia by supporting the bid to build the defense system on their soil.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the Polish edition of Newsweek that Poland “definitely shouldn’t hurry on the missile defense issue. … Remember, the shield is supposed to defend America, not Poland.”
The Bush administration put a positive spin on Tusk’s comments. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said negotiations would continue, aiming “to address all of the government of Poland’s concerns.”
From wire reports