Bridging gap between leaders<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): The revered Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of
\nYogyakarta is scheduled to host a meeting with President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, House
\nof Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung and People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post talked to the Yogyakarta ruler on Saturday
\nabout his initiative.<\/p>\n
Question: What is the background behind the planned meeting
\nbetween you and the other figures on Aug. 1?<\/p>\n
Answer: I am only acting as an intermediary. There is no
\nspecial agenda. Everything is up to the four leaders on how they
\nwould like to use the occasion. I did not draw up any agenda
\nbecause that would mean intervention on my part in the affairs of
\nthe decisionmakers. I am not a decisionmaker.<\/p>\n
Is the meeting aimed to help smooth the way to the annual MPR
\nsession?<\/p>\n
No, there's no connection. I repeat, I'm only an intermediary
\nfor the meeting of the four leaders after their earlier plan (of
\nJuly 20) failed to materialize, that's all.<\/p>\n
People worry about conflicts among supporters of different
\npolitical factions during the annual session. Do you hope the
\nleaders can reduce such fears?<\/p>\n
Yes, who knows, maybe the four of them can talk with sincerity
\nand with an open mind so eventually such a possibility could be
\navoided. It would be very good if that could happen. I can only
\ntry.<\/p>\n
Is the current social political atmosphere among the reasons
\nyou initiated the talks?<\/p>\n
We know that many people are hungry. Violence continues in
\nvarious areas across the country and the four leaders are those
\nwho make the decisions. So how are they facing the problems of
\nthe people? Let them meet and exchange ideas.<\/p>\n
Who took the initiative of this meeting?<\/p>\n
It's going to be my (56th) birthday and I've invited them to
\nmy house for lunch.<\/p>\n
Are you going to invite such figures every birthday?<\/p>\n
Well, no. But it so happens that this year's birthday also
\nmarks my seventh windu (eight-year cycle) according to the
\nJavanese calendar. There is a Javanese belief that the birthday
\nof the seventh eight-year cycle has a special meaning.<\/p>\n
Amien Rais has proposed to add other dignitaries to come to
\nthe meeting. Your comment?<\/p>\n
I don't think there's any need for more (people). I only know
\nthose four leaders. And I only have five chairs at the dinner
\ntable. If I invited somebody else it would be a tight squeeze.<\/p>\n
You said you would be neutral in the talks.<\/p>\n
I will only act as an intermediary; it is easier for me to
\ntalk with people I know well. For instance (if I were to say),
\n\"please don't be like that\", it would be easier to say that in
\nprivate than in public.<\/p>\n
Do you have a special message for the four leaders?<\/p>\n
I don't need to have one. I only hope as decisionmakers they
\ncan communicate with each other. (Asip Agus Hasani)<\/p>",
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