Emergency still on cards: Gus Dur aide

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid's camp continued to hustle for a political solution on Sunday as aides to the embattled President again warned that a state of civil emergency remained on the cards if censure proceedings persisted.

Presidential spokesman Adhi Massardi said that a state of civil emergency could be imposed to prevent potential violence between the pro and anti-Abdurrahman supporters during the lead- up to a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

"The President will declare a state of civil emergency if the legislature still insists on holding the special session to impeach the President," Adhi said at the Merdeka Palace on Sunday afternoon.

Adhi said that holding a special session of the Assembly would put "the well-being of the nation" at stake.

He added that the nation would be at greater risk of disintegration if the government did not impose a state of civil emergency.

"The President would never put the country at stake ... if (without the state of civil emergency) something did break out, it would be difficult to handle," Adhi said, adding that "with the state of emergency, the sociopolitical situation would be more controllable."

A state of civil emergency, a notch below martial law, would give police wide powers of search and arrest as well as other sanctions to maintain order.

It is feared that under such a situation the President might then have the freedom to issue an edict dissolving the House.

Adhi went on to say that the President believed his intention of declaring a state of civil emergency would win the support of the military and police.

"In a situation like this, the TNI (Indonesian Military) and police, as well as the President, have to choose between just standing still or taking action to maintain security and order," Adhi said.

But Adhi was also quick to add that declaring a state of civil emergency would only be Abdurrahman's last resort, as there was still time to negotiate a political compromise.

"The President does believe in negotiation, and discussions between political leaders are still taking place, so I think the state of civil emergency is still unnecessary," Adhi said.

But the situation could quickly come to a head on Wednesday when the House is due to convene to decide on whether to call a special session.

Late on Sunday, top political security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono revealed that Abdurrahman had been advised against imposing a state of emergency by the team of seven Cabinet ministers that had initially been tasked with proposing a compromise.

When asked his personal stance on the issue, Susilo said: "My position is consistent with the team's recommendation that we do not endorse the imposition of the state of emergency."

Asked whether Abdurrahman would go ahead with the plan, he said: "Many comments have been made to the President. If he wishes to save the nation, and the nation is in danger, then he is obliged to act appropriately."

"One of the options is the imposition of martial law".

The statement came as Abdurrahman summoned TNI Chief Adm. Widodo A.S. and Attorney General Marzuki Darusman to the Merdeka Palace on Sunday afternoon for unscheduled talks.

The contents of the meeting were not revealed.

Meanwhile in Yogyakarta, Defense Minister Mahfud M.D said that Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak planned to meet Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Sunday evening to explain details of Abdurrahman's proposal to hand over constitutional duties to his deputy.

Megawati made a brief visit to East Java earlier in the day to visit the grave of her father, the country's first president, Sukarno.

Megawati has remained silent on the issue, but aides said she would like further clarification, including the constitutional grounds for such a transfer of power.

Mahfud warned, however, that the power-transfer scheme was the only way out to avoid mob violence between pro and anti- Abdurrahman supporters.

Mahfud then echoed previous warnings from intelligence bodies that violence would likely break out in East Java, Central Java and outlying provinces if the President were removed through a special session of the Assembly.

Earlier, activists grouped in the Forum for Peace Indonesia were the latest to voice objection to any imposition of a state of emergency, saying that the move would only "kill" the country's fledgling democracy.

"If the President really went ahead with it, the move would only worsen the situation and prolong the political crisis," the group said in a statement. (44/byg)