Gus Dur leaves for two weeks overseas

Gus Dur leaves for two weeks overseas

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Wednesday he
was not concerned about leaving the country for a two-week trip
despite threats at home to his presidency.

The President, who departs on Thursday, also told top military
brass and senior aides to maintain order during his absence.

"The President is not worried about leaving Jakarta,"
presidential spokesman Yahya Staquf said as quoted by Antara
after accompanying the President to a meeting with top military
officers.

Some analysts have suggested the President's political
opponents may seize the opportunity presented by his absence to
incite instability.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the President held a
predeparture meeting with the Indonesian Military chief, the
chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the National Police
chief, Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D., Attorney General Marzuki
Darusman and the intelligence chief.

"His message was that during his trip abroad, efforts to
maintain security must be properly performed under the guidance
of the Vice President," Susilo said.

"In the case of something urgent, the President should be
informed," he added.

The President will leave Jakarta early on Thursday morning for
Yemen, after which he will visit the United Arab Emirates, Sudan,
Egypt and Nigeria, ending his trip by performing the haj in Saudi
Arabia.

Susilo dismissed talk that the trip was reminiscent of one
taken by former president Soeharto, who defied growing opposition
to his rule and a crippling economic crisis at home by visiting
Egypt during the last days of his 32-year rule in 1998.

"I do not see any worries on the part of the President," the
minister said.

Abdurrahman has visited more than 50 countries since he took
office in October 1999.

Critics have accused the President of neglecting a myriad of
domestic problems, focusing instead on his overseas visits.

The trip comes amid mounting pressure for Abdurrahman to
resign, following the House of Representatives' memorandum of
censure against the President on Feb. 1 for his alleged
involvement in two financial scandals.

Many people believe the memorandum of censure will lead to
impeachment.

Readiness

Separately, another presidential spokesman, Adhi Massardhi,
said the President was ready to meet with any political leaders
here only if no conditions were set on the meetings.

"The President is willing to meet with any political leader as
long as they do not set any conditions and if the meetings are
aimed at garnering opinions and ideas to help resolve the state's
problems," Adhi said.

He was referring to a statement by Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri that any meeting of the country's political leaders
depended on the willingness of Abdurrahman and People's
Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais to come together.

There have been increasing calls for the country's top four
political leaders -- Abdurrahman, Megawati, Amien Rais and House
of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung -- to meet and settle
the urgent problems besetting the nation.

"But the President suggested that any meeting also include the
top military brass and other political and public figures," Adhi
said. (imn)