Talks intensify between parties<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): With the People's Consultative Assembly special
\nsession drawing near, the major political parties are preferring
\nto intensify discussions among themselves than to negotiate with
\nthe envoys of embattled President Abdurrahman Wahid, party
\nfigures say.<\/p>\n
Hatta Radjasa, the secretary-general of the National Mandate
\nParty (PAN), said that more frequent and in-depth talks have been
\ntaking place between the five parties that voted in favor of the
\nHouse of Representatives' motions of censure against the
\nPresident earlier this year in a bid to draw up a common agenda
\nin preparation for the aftermath of the special session.<\/p>\n
"Besides the House factions' regular meetings, the party
\nsecretary-generals have met several times to consolidate their
\npolitical stances during the special session and draw up a common
\nagenda to prepare for the possible emergence of a new
\ngovernment," he said here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The five parties are PAN, the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan), United Development Party (PPP), Golkar
\nParty and Crescent Star Party (PBB).<\/p>\n
Hatta refused to elaborate on the joint plan but said it would
\nbe brought before a summit meeting of party chiefs in the near
\nfuture, possibly next week.<\/p>\n
Pramono Anung Wibowo, deputy secretary-general of PDI
\nPerjuangan, said the date for the meeting between party chiefs
\nremained undecided pending the confirmation of PDI Perjuangan
\nchairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri's attendance.<\/p>\n
The ongoing lobbying, Pramono added, not only involved the
\nparties' joint stand during the special session but also a common
\nplatform to overcome the political and economic crises.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman has tasked the Coordinating Minister for
\nPolitical, Social and Security Affairs, Agum Gumelar, Minister of
\nDefense Mahfud MD, Minister of Finance Rizal Ramli and Attorney
\nGeneral Baharuddin Lopa with the job of approaching the major
\npolitical parties.<\/p>\n
Amien Rais, the chairman of PAN, labeled the lobbying by the
\nPresident's team as unproductive and a waste of time. He said the
\nparties had gained nothing from the negotiations.<\/p>\n
"The President's team has never met with me, let alone
\napproached our party, while the other parties have expressed
\ndissatisfaction with the team as they have proposed nothing to
\nbreak the political impasse. So, it's better to call a halt to
\nsuch fruitless lobbying," he said.<\/p>\n
Later in the day, Amien reiterated his dismissal of a possible
\nacceleration of the Assembly special session, saying that the
\nevent would kick off on Aug. 1 as scheduled.<\/p>\n
He was speaking after the celebration of the Prophet
\nMuhammad's birthday hosted by Muslim leader Habib Abdurrahman bin
\nAl Habsyi at the renowned Kwitang Islamic Center in Central
\nJakarta. Also present at the celebration were Akbar, Megawati's
\nhusband Taufik Kiemas and former Indonesian Military chief Gen.
\n(ret.) Wiranto.<\/p>\n
The four prominent figures sat side by side in the same row.
\nNone of them were willing to comment on the rare gathering, which
\nwas also attended by thousands of Muslims.<\/p>\n
Syamsul Mu'arif, chairman of the Golkar faction in the House,
\nsaid the major faction leaders had agreed to draw up a common
\nplatform covering the political, economic and legal fields to be
\nimplemented after the special session, no matter who the
\npresident was.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the PKB hailed the talks between the President's
\nteam and the party leaders.<\/p>\n
"The team's successful lobbying of party leaders and the
\nrecent decision of the People's Consultative Assembly to prepare
\na draft decree on the acceptance of the President's
\naccountability statement with conditions attached are good omens
\nfor the possibility of political compromise during the special
\nsession," Abdul Kholiq Achmad, deputy secretary of the PKB, said.<\/p>\n
Deputy secretary-general of the United Development Party (PPP)
\nBachtiar Chamsyah admitted that during the interparty talks his
\nparty was holding out for the nomination of PPP chairman Hamzah
\nHaz for the vice presidency.<\/p>\n
"We are fighting it out by seeking support from other parties,
\nespecially the Golkar Party," he said.<\/p>\n
A reliable source in PPP said that the Muslim-based party and
\nthe Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) were
\nin a tug-of-war for the vice presidential post as PDI Perjuangan
\nwould likely nominate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the former
\ncoordinating minister for political, social and security affairs.
\n(rms)<\/p>",
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