Gus Dur hopes to meet critics to end stalemate

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid reportedly has expressed his desire to meet with top political leaders, including some of his fiercest critics, to seek an end to the country's political stalemate.

"The President said he would like to meet with the top leaders to consider ways to solve the problems confronting the nation," Eko Budiharjo, representing several members of the Rectors Forum, said during a media conference after meeting with Abdurrahman at Merdeka Palace.

Eko, the rector of Diponegoro University in the Central Java capital of Semarang, identified the political leaders the President hoped to sit down with as People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

He said Abdurrahman would like to see a meeting with the three politicians take place within two weeks.

Various parties have called for a meeting of the four leaders over the past several months, but no such gathering materialized.

It was reported last month that Amien had rejected the possibility of sitting down with Abdurrahman, saying the effort would be futile.

Later on Friday, Assembly Deputy Speaker A.M. Fatwa appeared to puncture any hopes of a meeting of the four political leaders, saying Amien would not agree to sit down with the President for talks.

"I can assure you that Pak Amien will not respond to any such invitation," said Fatwa, who is also the vice chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), which is led by Amien.

A meeting between Amien, Akbar, Megawati and Abdurrahman is "no longer feasible and would be useless", he said.

"Gus Dur is seeking a compromise because he is cornered ... finished morally as well as politically," Fatwa said, referring to the President by his nickname.

The House issued a memorandum of censure against Abdurrahman in February for his alleged involvement in two financial scandals. If the House elects to issue a second censure, it could lead to impeachment proceedings against the President.

Abdurrahman has denied any wrongdoing in the two scandals and has vowed to serve out his entire term, which ends in 2004.

The political turmoil surrounding the President has prompted his supporters in East Java to sign forms pledging their lives in defense of Abdurrahman, raising the specter of bloodshed.

Abdurrahman has, however, come out against the actions being taken by his supporters in East Java. He said on Friday vows to declare a holy war, or jihad, in defense of him were "inappropriate and incorrect", although he added that it was understandable his supporters were angry given the "slanderous" accusations made against him.

"I believe (the actions of my supporters) are just a reaction (to the events in Jakarta). Their version of jihad is incorrect," he said after Friday prayers in Ciganjur, South Jakarta.

Also in Jakarta, Minister of Defense Mahfud MD said expressions of support for the President, including signing forms pledging to fight to the death for the President, were allowed. "But if the supporters break the law the government will take stern action against them."

In the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, Akbar Tandjung, who is also the chairman of the Golkar Party, welcomed Gus Dur's proposal for a meeting of the country's political leaders.

"I am personally ready to talk with Gus Dur as long as the talks are for the sake of the nation," he said at Hasanuddin Airport before departing for Jakarta.

Akbar's statement is somewhat of a surprise following remarks he made on Thursday at a Golkar Party gathering in the regency of Wajo, also in South Sulawesi. During the gathering, he said Golkar would urge the House to issue a second memorandum of censure against the President.

Akbar, who was attending the 36th anniversary of the Golkar branch office in Wajo, said if Gus Dur continued mismanaging the government, Golkar would not hesitate to sanction him.

"Golkar will urge the hastening of the issuance of the second memorandum (of censure) if Gus Dur fails to make prompt changes and corrections (to his style of leadership). We would have no other choice."

He also dismissed Abdurrahman's claim that a number of regions, including Riau, Aceh, Maluku, Irian Jaya and Madura, would declare their independence if he was forced from office.

Some 100 students gathered at Hasannudin Airport to make it clear to Akbar that they opposed to any meeting between the political leaders that would lead to a compromise. The students were adamant in their belief that the President had to resign. Akbar promised the students he would convey their message to the House.

In Purwokerto, Central Java, National Awakening Party (PKB) deputy secretary-general Chotibul Umam said it was time for the political leaders of the country to end their bickering. "The proposal from the Rectors Forum could lead to national reconciliation."

He said his party fully supported all efforts for reconciliation. "But there are some conditions. First, the reconciliation should not hamper any legal processes against those who have been indicted for political and economic wrongdoing."

But he acknowledged reconciliation would not be easy. "I was informed that Amien Rais is reluctant to come to the meeting. That will hamper the reconciliation process." (byg/02/27/45/sur)