Indonesian troops swept into the parliament compound in Jakarta and removed thousands of students who had occupied it since Tuesday. The operation was accomplished without violence, mainly because the Indonesian armed forces chief, Gen Wiranto, use d the popular marine troops with their distinctive purple berets.
The marines are regarded as sympathetic to student demands for reform.The action ends a potentially dangerous confrontation for newly0installed President Habibie, who succeeded President Suharto on Thursday after a period of deadly street violence in Jakarta which cost over 500 lives. President Habibie yesterday named a new reformed cabinet.
In another action which students will regard as a sign of change, Mr Suharto's son-in-law Lieut-Gen Prabowo Subianto, was relieved of his command of the army's strategic reserve, the hardened troops who are most feared by the pro-democracy demonstrators.
The troops met no resistance as they entered the parliament before midnight. Students first ran into the lobby of the main building, vowing not to give in, but later allowed themselves to be ushered out of the rooms and corridors which they had debated, sung, danced and slept during their occupation, turning the complex into a near slum.
The troop commanders used loudspeakers to tell them to leave. After locking themselves into some rooms, they eventually emerged tom sit in a circle, sing Islamic and Christian songs and debate what to do. Eventually they drifted to the main gates and returned to their campuses in buses, with dozens perched on top waving white and red Indonesian flags.
The students first demonstrated in the parliament grounds on Monday and returned the next day, vowing to remain until President Suharto had resigned.
When this goal was achieved , many wanted to stay on to campaign for the resignation of President Habibie, whom they regard as a protΘgΘ of Mr Suharto incapable of real reform.
While the student did not threaten violence during their occupation, the roads outside the parliament had become a daily carnival ground, with supporters sometimes blocking much of the carriageway and traffic snarled up during the day.