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.