Malacanang, 22 May 1998
H.M. Soeharto
President Republik Indonesia
Jakarta
DARI PRESIDEN PILIPINA [1]
Dear President Soeharto,
On behalf of the people and government of the Philippines, I wish to express our support for your efforts to ensure a smooth political transition in Indonesia.
I believe that your decision to allow for a new political leadership has behind it the highest considetration for the welfare of the Indonesia people and the future your country.
At time when the Asia-Pacific region is being racked by tymultuos market forces, the series of action you have understaken in the last few days have had the effect of reassuring the world that Indonesia will continue on the path of economic recovery and long-term political stability. We therefore salute your patriatism and statesmanship.
The people of the Philippines will always be grateful for the invahtable assistance that Indonesia gave us during the oil crisis of the 1970s and to the peaceful resolution of the peace problem in Mindanao.
We in ASEAN also acknowledge the initiatives of your govern-ment in securing a more peaceful and prosperous Southeast Asia and will always look back with pride at how your voice helped estalish an international stature for Southeast Asia in the Non-Aligned Movement.
I wish you and your family all family all the best in you future endevors. (DTS)
From,
H.E. Fidel V. Ramos
Presiden Philippines, Manila
[1] Dikutip langsung dari dalam sebuah buku berjudul “Empati di Tengah Badai: Kumpulan Surat Kepada Pak Harto 21 Mei – 31 Desember 1998”, (Jakarta: Kharisma, 1999), hal 91. Surat ini merupakan salah satu dari 1074 surat yang dikirim masyarakat Indonesia dari berbagai pelosok, bahkan luar negeri, antara tanggal 21 Mei – 31 Desember 1998, yang menyatakan simpati setelah mendengar Pak Harto mengundurkan diri. Surat-surat tersebut dikumpulkan dan dibukukan oleh Letkol Anton Tabah.