(AP) -- The following is an unofficial translation of the resignation statement made Thursday by former Indonesian President Suharto.

"I have been following the development of the national situation carefully, especially the aspirations of the people for reform in all aspects of life. Given my deep understanding of the people's aspirations and pushed by the convhtmlion that reform must be conducted properly, peacefully and constitutionally, for the sake of the unity of the nation and the continuation of national development, I stated my plans to form a reform committee and to reshuffle the seventh development cabinet.

"However, the reality today is the reform committee cannot be realized, because there was not sufficient response to the plan to form the committee. In my desire to implement reform the best way I can, I've concluded that because of the failure to form the reform committee, the reshuffling of the seventh development cabinet is not necessary anymore.

"With regard to the above, I am of the view it is very difficult for me to carry out my governmental duties and development properly. Therefore, referring to Article 8 of the 1945 Constitution, and after carefully and thoroughly studying the views of the Parliament leaders and leaders of the factions, hereby, I have decided to resign as President of the Republic of Indonesia effective immediately as of the reading of this statement Thursday, May 21, 1998. The statement of my resignation as president I deliver this before you, the Parliament leadership, who are also leaders of the People's Consultative Assembly. I also take this opportunity to wish them well.

"In accordance with Article 8 of the 1945 Constitution, the Vice President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie will carry on the remaining presidential term from 1998-2003. For the support and help from the people of Indonesia that I received during my leadership, I ask for forgiveness if there have been any mistakes or shortcomings. Hopefully, the people of Indonesia will remain vhtmlorious based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

"As of today, the seventh development cabinet is hereby dissolved, and to all the ministers, I thank you very much. Because conditions do not permit us to hold the swearing-in ceremony before the Parliament, therefore in order to avoid a vacuum of leadership in the nation's government, the vice president as of now will take the oath before the Supreme Court Justices.

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