Gus Dur's planned visit to Aceh<\/p>\n
On the advise of Minister of Defense Mahfud MD, President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur is now scheduled to visit Aceh on
\nDec. 19, 2000, not on Dec. 15, 2000 upon his return from his trip
\nto Bangkok, as previously planned.<\/p>\n
The dates do not really matter as long as Gus Dur's intention
\nto come to Aceh is genuine, not undertaken as a fulfillment of a
\npromise.<\/p>\n
The questions are:
\n1. Did the presidential staff and ministers never think of a
\nproper plan in the first place?
\n2. Was it Gus Dur's own wish to stop by Aceh on his way back from
\nBangkok?
\n3. The explanation given by the minister of defense was reported
\nas follows: \"the initial plan would create an impression that Gus
\nDur was not serious and only stopping-by\". Was Gus Dur really not
\nserious about making a special, historic trip to Aceh?<\/p>\n
Perhaps for Gus Dur, it has always been more interesting to
\ntravel abroad than to our troubled provinces. The fact that the
\npurpose of his upcoming trip to Bangkok is \"among others\" to
\nreceive a doctorate award, may indicate this preference, as in
\nmany cases the event can be held in the recipient's country.<\/p>\n
Did he or his subordinates ever plan visits to the
\nareas\/places recently devastated by earthquakes and floods, to
\nshare his compassion and concern for the suffering people? Or is
\nit perhaps (again) not interesting to him, or less important than
\nreceiving an award?<\/p>\n
Y. LUCAS<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-durs-planned-visit-to-aceh-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }