Abdurrahman gets honorary law doctorate from Thai university

Abdurrahman gets honorary law doctorate from Thai university

AP

BANGKOK (AP): President Abdurrahman Wahid (left) is
congratulated by the president of Thammasat University Council,
Anant Anantakul, (right) after being conferred an honorary law
doctorate by the university.

In an address at the university's auditorium here on
Wednesday, Abdurrahman described his job as Indonesia's president
as "one of the most difficult jobs in the world".

Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, a graduate of the
university, also attended the ceremony.

The honorary degree was presented in conjunction with the
centennial celebrations of the birth of Thai statesman Pridi
Banomyong, a leader who ended absolute monarchy and brought
constitutional rule to Thailand in 1932.

Abdurrahman said he looked to Pridi as a guide in the task of
bringing democracy and the rule of law to ethnically diverse
Indonesia.

"Democracy means accepting differences. Sometimes it's not
easy to accept the differences, but it's necessary," he said.

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai pointed out that Abdurrahman was
worthy of the honorary doctorate for championing peace and
democracy in a time of crisis.

In a separate meeting, the two leaders also reached
preliminary agreements on rice and rubber exports and the
fisheries industry.

On route to Bangkok on Tuesday, Abdurrahman made a brief
stopover at the Changi Airport in Singapore and held bilateral
talks with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.

The President returned to Jakarta on Wednesday evening.