Megawati promises to review stance<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri broke her silence on Friday
\nover the U.S. attacks on military targets in Afghanistan and
\npromised that the government would review its \"soft\" stance on
\nthe attacks.<\/p>\n
Speaking in a joint press conference with House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung, Megawati promised
\nto take into account the demands of House leaders that Indonesia
\nshould take a more resolute stance against the attacks.<\/p>\n
\"The government will take note of developments and at the
\nappropriate time will issue a new statement,\" the President said
\nafter a two-and-a-half hour meeting with House leaders at the
\nState Palace.<\/p>\n
Megawati, nevertheless, claimed that the government had the
\nbacking of the House in its resolution to combat international
\nterrorism.<\/p>\n
\"The DPR totally supports our stance that terrorism must be
\neradicated. The actions of the government have received the full
\nsupport of the DPR. We must encourage international cooperation
\nin facing this (terrorism),\"<\/p>\n
\"On the problems that have emerged after the tragedy in the
\nU.S. and the ongoing military campaign in Afghanistan, we have
\nhad good and intensive discussions. The House has urged that the
\ngovernment should actively monitor the rapid developments,\" said
\nMegawati.<\/p>\n
This was for the first statement from Megawati since the U.S.
\nattacked military targets in Afghanistan on Sunday night. She has
\nbeen criticized for remaining silent while daily protests have
\nerupted in several Indonesian cities and radical groups have made
\nthreats against Americans, Britons and Japanese here.<\/p>\n
When asked why she did not hold a dialog with Muslim leaders,
\nMegawati replied: \"We have done that. Before issuing the
\nstatement we also sought their views.\"<\/p>\n
While Megawati was addressing the media, Akbar was busy
\nreading his own notes.<\/p>\n
\"The government's position seems unclear,\" Akbar said in his
\nstatement.<\/p>\n
\"The government should ask the U.S. to stop its attacks. If
\nthe U.S. genuinely wants to eradicate terrorists it should find
\ntheir hiding places. These attacks on cities and towns are
\ncausing many civilian casualties,\" said Akbar, who is also
\nchairman of the Golkar Party.<\/p>\n
Despite his strong remarks, the speaker also praised the
\nPresident's explanation. \"We are quite satisfied because the
\ngovernment comprehends the will of the House\".<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Akbar was accompanied by four deputies,
\nrepresentatives of all House factions and leaders of six House
\ncommissions.<\/p>\n
The President, meanwhile, was accompanied by Vice President
\nHamzah Haz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda,
\nIndonesian Military Chief Adm. Widodo A.S. and her three
\ncoordinating ministers -- including Coordinating Minister for
\nPolitical and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.<\/p>\n
Presidential secretary Kemal Munawar disclosed that besides
\nMegawati, foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda also briefed
\nlegislators about the cautiously worded communique issued by the
\nOrganization of Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting in Doha earlier
\nthis week.<\/p>\n
Hamzah Haz, nevertheless, did not give any comment during the
\nmeeting although Megawati requested him to express his views.<\/p>\n
\"The Vice President did not speak at all during the meeting,\"
\nCabinet deputy secretary Erman Rajagukguk said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, House deputy speaker A.M. Fatwa quoted the
\nPresident as saying that she strongly criticized the U.S. attacks
\nin her meetings with American leaders.<\/p>\n
\"But we want the government to criticize the attacks openly
\nnot just behind closed doors,\" said the politician from the
\nNational Mandate Party (PAN).<\/p>\n
Legislator Ishak Latuconsina, from the Indonesian
\nMilitary\/National Police faction, described the consultative
\nmeeting as very positive.<\/p>\n
\"We had very good discussions with the President and we fully
\nunderstand the government's stance,\" Ishak noted.<\/p>\n
The National Awakening Party (PKB), the staunch supporter of
\nformer president Abdurrahman Wahid, was quick to attack Megawati.<\/p>\n
\"The focus of the meeting was not clear,\" said its faction
\nchairman Ali Masykur Moesa.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, several palace security guards panicked
\nwhen they saw smoke coming from Admiral Widodo's car. The car's
\ncarburetor malfunctioned shortly before the admiral was to get
\ninto his car.<\/p>\n
\"Terrorists?\" a palace official joked to a shaken palace
\nsecurity officer.<\/p>",
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