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Achmad Sukarno (1901-70)Indonesian president. Born on 6 June 1901, at Blita in eastern Java, he was educated in colonial Dutch schools in Surabaja and studied engineering in Bandung. In 1927, he was a founder member of Indonesian National party, preaching the Gandhian idea of non-cooperation with the Dutch colonial authorities. Two years later, he was arrested and jailed as a trouble-maker, being exiled to Sumatra in 1933. During the decade and more he spent in prison, he continued to patiently build up the movement for independence. After the Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies during World War II, he returned to Jakarta, astutely supporting the Japanese war effort in return for their acceptance of his leadership among the nationalist community. His authority allowed him to declare Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945, immediately after Japan's defeat. On 13 November 1945, he claimed the title of president, despite objections from the Dutch government, which finally recognised him in 1950. Showing great ability to unite the disparate elements within Indonesia, Sukarno's career reached a peak in 1955, when he hosted the Bandung Conference, the first international gathering of African and Asian countries. But his authoritarian character and belief in 'guided democracy' aroused increasing resentment from 1956 onwards, especially in Sumatra and East Timor. Typically, Sukarno declared himself president for life in 1963. Then, his confrontational attitude towards Malaysia in 1963-5, plus the stagnating economy, led army leaders to turn against him. On 12 March 1967, he was deposed by General Hadji Suharto, although he remained president for another year, but in name only. He died, disillusioned, on 21 June 1970. |
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