Waiting game

(Photograph) - One of up to 10,000 student demonstrators occupying the Indonesian parliament for a third day on Wednesday. As The THES went to press a military clampdown, which had led democracy leaders to cancel plans for mass protests in Jakarta for fear of provoking a Tiananmen Square-style confrontation, was still in place. The students abandoned their march on the presidential palace.

John Taylor, professor of politics at South Bank University, who visited universities in four different cities in ten days before leaving on Sunday, said: 'The students have provided protests with impetus and cohesion. They have opened up issues it will be very hard to close down. The opposition is well-organised and has a coherent programme of reforms. Calling off the demonstration was a sign of strength, showing how well-organised they are.' Photograph: Reuters