IPU faces boycott by Islamic factions<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The coming conference of the Inter-Parliamentary
\nUnion (IPU), to be hosted by the House of Representatives, may be
\nboycotted by some Indonesian legislators.<\/p>\n
Several Islamic based parties warned here on Tuesday that they
\nwould refuse to participate if delegates from the Israeli Knesset
\nattend.<\/p>\n
\"We demand the House of Representatives reject the
\nparticipation of the Israeli delegation,\" Crescent and Star Party
\n(PBB) faction chairman at the House, Ahmad Sumargono remarked.<\/p>\n
\"We will boycott the conference if the Israeli delegation
\nattends,\" he warned.<\/p>\n
Sumargono claimed the faction's demand reflected the general
\nmood of most Muslims in the country, distraught by what he
\ndescribed as Israel's recent slaughter of dozens of Palestinians.<\/p>\n
The secretary-general of the United Development Party (PPP)
\nAli Marwan Hanan also urged House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, chair
\nof the conference, to reject the delegation's attendance.<\/p>\n
The 104th IPU conference is expected to be attended by 1,200
\nrepresentatives from 114 parliaments and legislatures around the
\nworld.<\/p>\n
President Abdurrahman Wahid is due to open the week-long
\nconference on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Established in 1889, the IPU is the only global parliamentary
\norganization.<\/p>\n
During the conference, which will be held at the Jakarta
\nConvention Center, each delegation will be given time to address
\nthe conference.<\/p>\n
Two main topics highlight the agenda.<\/p>\n
The first concerns attempted coups against democratically
\nelected governments and the second will look at development
\nfinancing and new paradigms to eliminate poverty.<\/p>\n
Separately, on Tuesday, the National Council of Muslim
\nStudent's Alumni (KAHMI) urged all political parties to reject
\nattendance by the Israeli delegation.<\/p>\n
\"We ask Islamic countries to reject the Israeli delegation,\"
\nKAHMI said in a statement signed by chairman Fuad Bawazier and
\nsecretary-general Herman Widyananda.<\/p>\n
Before the issue gained the media spotlight, Akbar had already
\npredicted that controversy would arise as a result of the visit.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, he maintained that the House, as host, could not
\nreject the Israeli delegation since Israel is a member of IPU.<\/p>\n
Akbar said that possibly he would meet with Knesset Speaker
\nAvraham Burg in a special meeting during the conference.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab noted that
\nwhile Indonesia has not changed its stance in recognizing the
\nJewish state, such a rejection of the Israeli delegation should
\nhave been conveyed well ahead of the conference.<\/p>\n
\"It should have been expressed long ago. Not now!\" Alwi told
\nThe Jakarta Post on Monday evening.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday afternoon, Sumargono met with members of the
\nIslamic Defenders' Front (FPI), which has pledged to sweep every
\nhotel and the Soekarno-Hatta Airport to weed out the Israeli
\ndelegation.<\/p>\n
\"We will start sweeping tonight. We will 'slaughter' the
\nIsraeli delegation if we find them,\" FPI's secretary Muchsin
\nAhmad Alatas remarked.<\/p>\n
Muchsin boasted that the organization would deploy 20,000
\nmembers to search for the Israeli delegation.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, legislator Arifin Junaidi of the National Awakening
\nParty (PKB) said these statements were an over-reaction.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia is just the host, we do not decide the delegations.
\nThe meeting is not between Indonesia and Israel,\" Arifin said.<\/p>\n
Legislator Ade Komarrudin of Golkar Party faction condemned
\nFPI's threat to sweep foreigners.<\/p>\n
\"Do not manipulate religion as a political tool,\" he said.
\n(edt\/jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ipu-faces-boycott-by-islamic-factions-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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