Gus Dur denies reports on reshuffle

Gus Dur denies reports on reshuffle

JAKARTA (JP): For President Abdurrahman Wahid, a Cabinet
shake-up is simply a matter of wording.

In yet another dismissal of media reports of an impending
reshuffle of his almost three-month-old Cabinet, Abdurrahman said
on Monday such speculation was baseless. But he quickly added
that if necessary he might make some minor changes to his 35-
member Cabinet.

"Why trust the newspapers? I myself never talked about a
reshuffle. You must fully realize that," Abdurrahman said in
describing a recent conversation he had with People's
Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, who was seeking
confirmation of the reported shake-up.

At a media briefing at Bina Graha presidential office on
Monday, the President said he would replace ministers in the
future if they were found guilty by a court of law of committing
a crime.

"During the trial or inquiry the minister may have to
temporarily leave the Cabinet. After the sentence is heard, he or
she should resign from the Cabinet.

"That does not mean that the whole Cabinet will be
reshuffled," Abdurrahman said.

When asked about Japanese press reports that he would fire
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen.
Wiranto, Abdurrahman replied: "Pak Wiranto is still a minister."

Wiranto, along with eight active and retired military
officers, has been questioned by the Commission of Inquiry into
Human Rights Violations in East Timor.

Japanese media, including Kyodo news agency, quoted the
chairman of the Japan-Indonesia Parliament Friendship League,
Taku Yamasaki, as saying that Abdurrahman told him during a
meeting over the weekend of plans to remove Wiranto from the
Cabinet. Abdurrahman met with Yamasaki on Saturday.

"There will be no reshuffle, the Cabinet remains intact," the
President said on Monday.

Wiranto himself has denied that he will resign from the
Cabinet. The former Indonesian Military (TNI) chief last met with
the President on Saturday evening, when they attended a gathering
of the Maluku community in Jakarta.

Coup

When asked about rumors of a military coup, Abdurrahman
replied: "I don't think there will be a coup."

However, he quickly added that he would not hesitate to take
stern measures against any attempts to topple his government.

He expressed his gratitude for the support expressed by
several foreign countries, including the United States and Japan,
which have conveyed their concerns over the possibility of a coup
in Indonesia.

Abdurrahman said he received a similar message of support from
the president of a foreign country he refused to identify.

"We respect and take (the warnings) carefully. It does not
mean that we are lackeys that the U.S. can do anything to," the
President said.

He also played down senior American diplomat Richard
Holbrooke's warning against a military putsch, saying Holbrooke
was merely expressing his concern as a friend.

"He warned the military in Indonesia against undermining the
government, we appreciate that. We appreciate other countries
which feel the same ... But we are free to do whatever we want."

Separately, military top brass, including TNI chief Adm.
Widodo A.S., lashed out at rumors of a coup, saying they were
aimed at discrediting the military.

"Who attempts a coup? History tells us that TNI never
attempted a coup," Widodo said after attending a hearing with the
Supreme Advisory Council. "There is no wish or even the thought
of such an idea."

Speaking to journalists after meeting with members of the
General Elections Commission, TNI Chief of Territorial Affairs
Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo voiced similar sentiments.

"I read it in newspapers. There is no such plan (for a
military coup). I can assure you of that because I am inside the
TNI and we are not making such plans.

"TNI cannot work alone for its own benefit. This is our basic
guideline," he said.

Amien Rais also played down the possibility of a military
coup, saying such an action was against TNI's nature.

"A mother won't kill her baby. It only happens if the mother
goes insane," Amien said. "The coup doesn't make any sense."
(04/jun/emf/prb)