Gus Dur meets with Wiranto to discuss nation's problems<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security\/Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto visited Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)
\nchairman Abdurrahman Wahid at the latter's residence on Wednesday
\nto discuss the latest developments in the country's social and
\npolitical affairs.<\/p>\n
The meeting was not formally planned, but Abdurrahman, known
\nfondly as Gus Dur, had earlier stated his wish to meet Wiranto to
\nexpress his concern that a social revolution could erupt unless
\nnational reconciliation takes place.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman confirmed the meeting had taken place, but
\ndeclined give any further details.<\/p>\n
\"Yes, I met Wiranto today. But, you should check with Wiranto
\nhimself about the contents of our meeting,\" he told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces Chief of Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo
\nBambang Yudhoyono and Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul
\nMa'arif accompanied Wiranto to the meeting, which took place at
\nAbdurrahman's residence in Ciganjur subdistrict, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that the group discussed efforts to preserve
\nnational unity.<\/p>\n
They also reportedly discussed how to calm the heated
\nsituation in the country that they said had arisen through
\ndifferences in opinion.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Abdurrahman called for more effective political
\ndialogs between Indonesia's formal and informal leaders.<\/p>\n
\"Because the present government has no political sense and is
\nlacking in leadership and losing control of the situation, the
\nwhole political elite, both inside and outside the government,
\nshould hold meaningful dialogs to stop the conflict. Otherwise,
\nwe may not be able to make it to the upcoming general election
\n(scheduled for June 7, 1999),\" he said.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman said that he wanted to meet President B.J.
\nHabibie, Wiranto and other leading public figures to discuss ways
\nto resolve the nation's difficulties.<\/p>\n
The NU chairman reportedly has plans to meet President Habibie
\non either Thursday or Sunday.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Habibie rejected the plan to hold further national
\ndialogs, saying any such move would create more problems than it
\nwas intended to solve.<\/p>\n
The President suggested that the nation should instead use the
\nexisting constitutional institutions.<\/p>\n
\"We have the People's Consultative Assembly and the House of
\nRepresentatives. They are far from perfect, so let's make them
\nperfect,\" he said. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-meets-with-wiranto-to-discuss-nations-problems-1447893297",
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