Amien still sees Soeharto as obstacle to national dialog

JAKARTA (JP): Hours after a meeting between two leading Muslim figures any hopes of progress toward a national dialog were dimmed by the divisive issue of former president Soeharto's involvement in such a dialog.

On Friday, the chairman of the National Mandate Party, Amien Rais, stood firm on his stance that Soeharto should not take part in any national dialog.

"Since the beginning, I have said that it would be a setback if he was included. But let's see how things develop... especially after the meeting at Hotel Indonesia," he said after attending the ceremonial handover of humanitarian aid from Singapore in Central Jakarta.

Amien was referring to his Thursday meeting with the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, in Hotel Indonesia, Central Jakarta.

During the much-anticipated meeting, Abdurrahman said that Soeharto should be asked to sign a statement guaranteeing an end to violence allegedly committed by Soeharto loyalists. Abdurrahman said that because Soeharto's loyalists were behind several recent riots and killings, he should be included at least in preparations to any national dialog.

"The statement (guaranteeing an end to the violence) should also be signed by President B.J. Habibie, (Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander) Gen. Wiranto and myself," Abdurrahman said.

Amien, a former chairman of the country's second largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, which claims 28 million followers, said he would agree with the plan only on the condition that he also sign the statement.

Amien and Abdurrahman were among the four signatories of the Ciganjur Declaration, along with Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of a faction of the splintered Indonesian Democratic Party, and Yogyakarta monarch and governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. Students brought together the four national figures in November.

Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah chairman Syafii Maarif also said any links to the past regime -- especially Soeharto -- must be ended.

"If we want to move on for this country's sake, how can we hold a national dialog with the man from the past regime who is responsible for this whole mess?" Syafii said to The Jakarta Post.

According to Syafii, including Soeharto in a national dialog was "tantamount to committing suicide".

For the reform agenda to be truly implemented, he said, "we have to weaken the powers of those who are antireform. Do not ask them to sit and plan the future for this country... do not compromise."

He added that the past regime might still enjoy a strong influence, which "is why we have to draw a firm line (against them) to prevent more chaotic conditions".

"I'm sorry to say this, but regarding this point Abdurrahman has shown inconsistency. I think Amien is more reliable and consistent," Syafii said.

Syafii was skeptical about the planned dialog, saying that the involved parties had not shown "sincerity", and the Thursday meeting was more "for press consumption".

The meeting was hosted by the New Society, a private group promoting democracy which was established by businessman Setiawan Djodi.

Syafii noted that since the Ciganjur meeting the four involved figures had not met to follow up on their declaration. This was because of differences among the four, Syafii claimed.

Scholars, however, praised Thursday's meeting, noting that the event helped to ease tension in the country.

"If all such figures were willing to do the same... I believe (President) Habibie would eventually consider joining the reconciliation movement along with Soeharto," the rector of Jendral Soedirman University, Rubiyanto Misman, told the Post on Friday.

Gadjah Mada University rector and political lecturer Ichlasul Amal said at least the meeting helped to lessen the tension between the People's Awakening Party founded by Abdurrahman and the National Mandate Party. (edt/44/45)