Amien still sees Soeharto as obstacle to national dialog<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Hours after a meeting between two leading Muslim
\nfigures any hopes of progress toward a national dialog were
\ndimmed by the divisive issue of former president Soeharto's
\ninvolvement in such a dialog.<\/p>\n
On Friday, the chairman of the National Mandate Party, Amien
\nRais, stood firm on his stance that Soeharto should not take part
\nin any national dialog.<\/p>\n
"Since the beginning, I have said that it would be a setback
\nif he was included. But let's see how things develop...
\nespecially after the meeting at Hotel Indonesia," he said after
\nattending the ceremonial handover of humanitarian aid from
\nSingapore in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Amien was referring to his Thursday meeting with the chairman
\nof Nahdlatul Ulama, Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur,
\nin Hotel Indonesia, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
During the much-anticipated meeting, Abdurrahman said that
\nSoeharto should be asked to sign a statement guaranteeing an end
\nto violence allegedly committed by Soeharto loyalists.
\nAbdurrahman said that because Soeharto's loyalists were behind
\nseveral recent riots and killings, he should be included at least
\nin preparations to any national dialog.<\/p>\n
"The statement (guaranteeing an end to the violence) should
\nalso be signed by President B.J. Habibie, (Minister of Defense
\nand Security\/Armed Forces Commander) Gen. Wiranto and myself,"
\nAbdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
Amien, a former chairman of the country's second largest
\nMuslim organization, Muhammadiyah, which claims 28 million
\nfollowers, said he would agree with the plan only on the
\ncondition that he also sign the statement.<\/p>\n
Amien and Abdurrahman were among the four signatories of the
\nCiganjur Declaration, along with Megawati Soekarnoputri,
\nchairwoman of a faction of the splintered Indonesian Democratic
\nParty, and Yogyakarta monarch and governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono
\nX. Students brought together the four national figures in
\nNovember.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah chairman Syafii Maarif also said any
\nlinks to the past regime -- especially Soeharto -- must be ended.<\/p>\n
"If we want to move on for this country's sake, how can we
\nhold a national dialog with the man from the past regime who is
\nresponsible for this whole mess?" Syafii said to The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
According to Syafii, including Soeharto in a national dialog
\nwas "tantamount to committing suicide".<\/p>\n
For the reform agenda to be truly implemented, he said, "we
\nhave to weaken the powers of those who are antireform. Do not ask
\nthem to sit and plan the future for this country... do not
\ncompromise."<\/p>\n
He added that the past regime might still enjoy a strong
\ninfluence, which "is why we have to draw a firm line (against
\nthem) to prevent more chaotic conditions".<\/p>\n
"I'm sorry to say this, but regarding this point Abdurrahman
\nhas shown inconsistency. I think Amien is more reliable and
\nconsistent," Syafii said.<\/p>\n
Syafii was skeptical about the planned dialog, saying that the
\ninvolved parties had not shown "sincerity", and the Thursday
\nmeeting was more "for press consumption".<\/p>\n
The meeting was hosted by the New Society, a private group
\npromoting democracy which was established by businessman Setiawan
\nDjodi.<\/p>\n
Syafii noted that since the Ciganjur meeting the four involved
\nfigures had not met to follow up on their declaration. This was
\nbecause of differences among the four, Syafii claimed.<\/p>\n
Scholars, however, praised Thursday's meeting, noting that the
\nevent helped to ease tension in the country.<\/p>\n
"If all such figures were willing to do the same... I believe
\n(President) Habibie would eventually consider joining the
\nreconciliation movement along with Soeharto," the rector of
\nJendral Soedirman University, Rubiyanto Misman, told the Post on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
Gadjah Mada University rector and political lecturer Ichlasul
\nAmal said at least the meeting helped to lessen the tension
\nbetween the People's Awakening Party founded by Abdurrahman and
\nthe National Mandate Party. (edt\/44\/45)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/amien-still-sees-soeharto-as-obstacle-to-national-dialog-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}