All three parties agree to stop holding street rallies in capital

JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of the three parties' Jakarta branches signed a statement Saturday pledging not to hold large rallies or parades in the capital in the last week of campaigning.

The joint statement was signed by Rusjdi Hamka of the United Development Party (PPP), Tadjus Sobirin of Golkar and Lukman F. Mokoginta of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

They signed the statement after reviewing recent campaign violence.

The statement called for all supporters to heed their resolution. Based on Saturday's agreement, only small subdistrict-based "dialog campaigns" may be held in the last week of campaigning, which will end Friday.

Cadres were also told to remain vigilant against "groups who wanted to exploit the campaign to disrupt peace and order".

The statement warned of "certain groups planning to disrupt or even sabotage the 1997 election". About 120 million voters will go to the polls on May 29.

The three leaders expressed their regret in the statement on the disturbances and the damage it had caused.

"Let us make the 1997 election a vehicle of political education of increasing quality.

"Strengthen the self-restraint of cadres of all the political organizations while implementing Pancasila values," they said.

The signing of Saturday's statement came only hours before Jakarta was again hit by sporadic clashes between rival party supporters.

The agreement, despite being distributed to party offices, went unheeded Sunday because Golkar supporters proceeded with street rallies which resulted in serious clashes in many parts of the city.

Police again used tear gas to stop Golkar and United Development Party supporters fighting. (mds)