Gus Dur keeps Aceh off year-end travel plans

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid announced on Wednesday plans to visit the troubled provinces of Maluku and Irian Jaya, but failed to set a firm date for a trip to Aceh.

Speaking in a consultative meeting with the House of Representatives, the President said he would visit the strife- torn Maluku islands this weekend and fly to Irian Jaya to witness the first sunrise of the new millennium.

"Either on Dec. 11 or Dec. 12, I will go to Ambon (the capital of Maluku) to inquire and see clearly how to solve the problems," said the President, who is better known as Gus Dur.

"On Dec. 31 I am also going to Irian as wished by the Irianese, and I will see the sunrise of the new millennium."

Violence racked the three provinces long before Abdurrahman assumed office in October.

Hundreds of people have been killed in Maluku since clashes between Muslims and Christians erupted in Ambon early this year and spread across the islands.

Like Aceh, the natural resources-rich province of Irian Jaya is home to growing calls for independence. The movement peaked in the hoisting of the Morning Star separatist flag on Dec. 1. Dozens of people were injured in a clash with police who attempted to lower the flag and disperse the crowd.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung told the President during the meeting of the importance of an immediate trip to Aceh, where the independence movement has reached an alarming level.

"I hope the head of state can find an available time to visit Aceh," Akbar said.

In response to Akbar's request, Abdurrahman said he found difficulties in identifying trusted parties in Aceh for negotiations.

He said he would hold talks with local government officials, security personnel, non-governmental organizations, students and ulemas.

"If I could talk to students and ulema dayah (leaders of local Islamic boarding schools), I think the Acehnese would accept any agreement between the government and the two groups."

He said he understood the need for an immediate solution to the unrest in Aceh, but added the problems were "not as simple as people think".

"The resolution will take time, energy and thought."

Wahid reiterated that "we would not tolerate any province to secede from the country".

He defended his many foreign trips since taking office, saying they were intended to garner international support against Indonesian separatists.

"Our visits have reduced the possibility of foreign support for Aceh's independence," he said.

The President spent most of his first month in office on overseas trips to several Asian and Middle Eastern countries and the United States, drawing criticism at home.

Abdurrahman said the government would revive a proposed railway project worth US$90 million in Aceh, saying it was not revealed earlier due to fears the Acehnese would summarily reject the plan.

"There is a psychological obstacle that the government is now not trusted by Aceh people. Therefore, the project will be given to private companies."

The railway project was promised by then president B.J. Habibie when he visited the province in March. Many believe that previous administrations' failure to fulfill their promises have exacerbated discontent among the Acehnese.

Abdurrahman also said that Sabang Island in northern Aceh will become a free trade zone in a bid to improve development of the island and increase job opportunities.

During the meeting, the President was accompanied by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie, Minister of Finance Bambang Sudibyo, State Minister of State Administrative Reforms Vice Adm. Freddy Numberi, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Admiral Widodo AS, State Secretary Ali Rahman and Presidential Secretary Ratih Hardjono.

Widodo reiterated that TNI would conduct a persuasive approach and dialogs to handle the problems in Aceh and other volatile provinces.

At the end of the meeting, Akbar and the leaders of the 10 factions in the House commended the President's clarification.

"We accepted and supported the government's explanations. We will help the government to hold talks with related parties in Aceh," Akbar said.

However, many legislators' questions remained unanswered after the four-hour meeting concluded. (jun)