Australia worried about Indonesia<\/p>\n
CANBERRA (AP): Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on
\nWednesday he was concerned about Indonesia's political stability
\nand appealed for a constitutional resolution to the country's
\ngrowing crisis.<\/p>\n
\"I'm very, very concerned about the instability. Indonesia is
\nvery important to Australia. We are watching anxiously what is
\noccurring,\" Howard told radio station 2GB.<\/p>\n
Political stability and friendly relations with Indonesia are
\nconsidered crucial to Australian security.<\/p>\n
President Abdurrahman Wahid has warned that his ouster through
\na special session of the People's Consultative Assembly could
\ntrigger national disintegration.<\/p>\n
Howard emphasized that the current events in Indonesia were a
\nmatter for the Indonesian people, but said he hoped the situation
\nwould be resolved constitutionally.<\/p>\n
\"I would express a very strong hope that the matter is
\nresolved in accordance with the Indonesian Constitution and not
\nresolved in some way by bypassing, suspending or overriding the
\noperation of due process under the Indonesian Constitution,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs has updated its
\nadvice to travelers, saying the political situation in Indonesia
\nremained fluid and Australians should exercise sensible
\nprecautions.<\/p>\n
Prayer<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in a separate development, it was reported from
\nBangkok that a group of Thais belonging to various religions held
\nan interfaith ceremony to pray for the political survival of
\nAbdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
About two dozen people including Christian priests, Islamic
\nleaders and Buddhist laymen attended the \"blessing ceremony\" on
\nTuesday at the home of Sulak Sivaraksa, a respected human rights
\nadvocate.<\/p>\n
Sulak, who organized the meeting, told the Associated Press on
\nWednesday that Indonesia would \"plunge into social crisis and
\nchaos\" if Abdurrahman was impeached.<\/p>\n
Blessing ceremonies are commonly held by Thais for their
\nfriends and relatives who are in trouble. But rarely have such
\nceremonies been held for foreign leaders.<\/p>\n
Sulak warned that a \"blood bath\" would follow Abdurrahman's
\nimpeachment.<\/p>\n
Sulak, who claims to be an old friend of Abdurrahman, said the
\nIndonesian President led a powerful organization that had
\nmillions of members who would fight to protect their leader.<\/p>\n
The ceremony in Sulak's house also prayed for Thai Prime
\nMinister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been on trial since April 3
\nin the Constitutional Court on charges of concealing his wealth.<\/p>\n
If found guilty, Thaksin would have to step down and would be
\nbarred from political office for five years. The next hearing in
\nthe trial is scheduled for Thursday.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australia-worried-about-indonesia-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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