Wahid's big test

摘要

A frail president, nearly blind from a stroke and with a tenuous grip on power, goes on a long overseas trip. While he is away, his most powerful general is accused in a government report of involvement in atrocities. The president fires him, but he refuses to go. Meanwhile, fellow generals are said to gather for a clandestine meeting. Prepare to hear martial music on the radio and the announcement of a coup? Not so fast: this is Indonesia and its president is Abdurrahman Wahid. Although Mr Wahid may seem an unlikely person to face down the soldiers who once shored up one of the world's most autocratic regimes, he may prove to be rather good at the job. The world should hope he is.