Amien still sees Soeharto as obstacle to national dialog

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)