Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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January 5, 2008

Indonesia's Suharto in Critical Condition
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1ACF738:A6F02AD83191E16020157688E52A3EB698CBE7246176B735& Doctors say he is
suffering from heart problems Former Indonesian President Suharto, 86,
is in a Jakarta hospital in critical condition. Doctors say he is
suffering heart problems. Chad Bouchard reports from Jakarta.







Former Indonesian President Suharto is seen during the celebrations of
his 86th birthday at his home in Jakarta, Indonesia, 8 June 8, 2007
(file photo)The former president was admitted to a hospital Friday
with swelling throughout his body. Doctors say Mr. Suharto's heart has
become too weak to pump blood properly, and his kidneys are
deteriorating.

Andi Mallarangeng, spokesman for current president Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono, says the president visited Mr. Suharto in the hospital
Saturday and found him too weak to talk.

"He was conscious, he was not in a coma in that sense, he was
conscious, but he was very weak," he said.  "The presidential doctors
informed the president that President Suharto is in [a] critical
situation."

Suharto ruled Indonesia for 32 years, stepping down after widespread
demonstrations and rioting during the Asian economic crisis of 1998.

He has since lived quietly in an upscale district of central
Jakarta. The anti-corruption organization Transparency International
says Mr. Suharto embezzled more from Indonesia than any other modern
leader, an estimated $15 billion to $35 billion. Mr. Suharto has
steadfastly denied such accusations.


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