Gus Dur-Habibie meeting called for<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid and B.J. Habibie, both
\nleaders of two of Indonesia's most influential Moslem
\norganizations, should meet and improve cooperation, a respected
\nulema says.<\/p>\n
K.H. Ilyas Ruchiyat, chairman of the syuriyah (law-making
\nbody) of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), spoke yesterday of the perceived
\ndistance between Abdurrahman, who chairs the executive board of
\nthe 30-million strong NU, and Habibie who is the chairman of the
\nAssociation of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI). He told
\nThe Jakarta Post it is the public and Moslem organizations that
\nwould benefit should the two leaders meet in certain forums.<\/p>\n
\"They could improve cooperation between NU and ICMI,\" Ilyas
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The ulema was commenting on the growing calls for Abdurrahman,
\nbetter known as Gus Dur, to meet with Habibie and quell whatever
\nstrain there may be between them.<\/p>\n
The calls were made following the noteworthy meeting between
\nPresident Soeharto and Abdurrahman earlier this month, which
\neffectively ended speculations of the President's dislike of the
\nlatter.<\/p>\n
Some observers said proof of improving relations between
\ngovernment officials and Abdurrahman, who leads the Forum
\nDemokrasi group of government critics, could be found in his
\nmeeting with Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono a week later.<\/p>\n
Immediately afterward, some suggested Abdurrahman should also
\nmeet with Habibie, whose ICMI organization he often criticizes.<\/p>\n
Ilyas said such meetings could only bode well for NU. \"Nothing
\nis easy for NU. Sometimes its (leaders do things) that people
\ndislike. Sometimes, they do things that please people. What's
\nimportant is that we should never give up,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"For the sake of NU, Gus Dur should meet with Habibie.
\nOrganizationally, NU should also meet with ICMI,\" Ilyas said.<\/p>\n
Ilyas, however, said he does not believe such meetings need to
\nbe formally scheduled. \"What's important is not whether these
\nIslamic organizations meet in one forum, but whether they can
\nimprove their performance,\" he said. (25\/swe)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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