PDI-P, Golkar try to avert open war<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Top brass from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan) and the Golkar Party have held informal talks to ease
\nthe tension between them and build a better relationship in the
\nfuture.<\/p>\n
Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung disclosed on Wednesday he had
\nhosted the meeting on Monday with PDI Perjuangan delegates who
\nwere led by key figure Taufik Kiemas, the husband of President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, on Monday.<\/p>\n
The senior party figures discussed their relations, which had
\nworsened following sporadic clashes involving supporters of the
\ntwo major parties in Bali on Oct. 25, which left two people dead.<\/p>\n
\"It was an amicable meeting aimed at preventing conflict in
\nthe future. We also discussed the platforms of both parties,\"
\nAkbar said before a breaking of the fast get-together at the
\nHouse of Representatives here.<\/p>\n
The meeting took place at Akbar's official residence in the
\nWidya Chandra housing complex in South Jakarta, and lasted around
\ntwo hours.<\/p>\n
Taufik was accompanied by PDI Perjuangan leaders Panda
\nNababan, Pramono Anung Wibowo, Tjahjo Kumolo and Suparlan, while
\nAkbar was flanked by Golkar secretary-general Budi Harsono and
\nparty executives Mahadi Sinambela, Agung Laksono, Slamet Effendi
\nYusuf, Irsyad Sudiro, Mohammad Hatta, and Yahya Zaini.<\/p>\n
Akbar acknowledged that Golkar and the PDI Perjuangan shared
\nnationalist-oriented platforms, but emphasized that both parties
\noften pursued different political interests.<\/p>\n
\"It is true that we have similar platforms. But, platforms and
\npolitical interests do not often coincide,\" he said.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary Pramono Anung Wibowo confirmed
\nthat the meeting had taken place.<\/p>\n
\"Two only things that distinguish the PDI Perjuangan from
\nGolkar are their uniforms and history,\" Pramono told The Jakarta
\nPost last night.<\/p>\n
The meeting of PDI Perjuangan and Golkar leaders came after
\nseveral leaders of Islamic-oriented parties held a series of
\nmeetings to share ideas ahead of the elections.<\/p>\n
Suryadharma Ali from the United Development Party (PPP),
\nSyaifullah Yusuf from the National Awakening Party (PKB), Amien
\nRais and Patrialis Akbar from the National Mandate Party (PAN),
\nAhmad Sumargono from the Crescent Star Party (PBB), and Hidayat
\nNurwahid from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) attended a
\nmeeting last week, which many saw as a move to build a coalition
\nto foil President Megawati Soekarnoputri's bid for her first full
\nfive-year term in the 2004 presidential election.<\/p>\n
Asked whether his meeting with Taufik Kiemas was designed to
\ncreate an alliance between the nationalist parties, Akbar said
\nthe issue was not on the agenda.<\/p>\n
\"Both parties are concentrating on how to win the elections
\nnext year. We did not discuss a possible coalition,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The two parties won 56 percent of the vote between them in the
\n1999 election.<\/p>\n
Pramono meanwhile said that both parties had agreed not to
\nsling mud each other in order to maintain peace ahead of the
\nelections.<\/p>\n
He said that the PDI Perjuangan and Golkar had also agreed to
\nimprove their performance in the House, especially as regards the
\npassing of legislation.<\/p>\n
At the end of the meeting, the PDI Perjuangan and Golkar
\nappointed Pramono and Slamet respectively as their liaison
\nofficers.<\/p>",
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