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)