Gus Dur meets with Wiranto to discuss nation's problems

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto visited Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Abdurrahman Wahid at the latter's residence on Wednesday to discuss the latest developments in the country's social and political affairs.

The meeting was not formally planned, but Abdurrahman, known fondly as Gus Dur, had earlier stated his wish to meet Wiranto to express his concern that a social revolution could erupt unless national reconciliation takes place.

Abdurrahman confirmed the meeting had taken place, but declined give any further details.

"Yes, I met Wiranto today. But, you should check with Wiranto himself about the contents of our meeting," he told The Jakarta Post.

Armed Forces Chief of Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif accompanied Wiranto to the meeting, which took place at Abdurrahman's residence in Ciganjur subdistrict, South Jakarta.

Antara reported that the group discussed efforts to preserve national unity.

They also reportedly discussed how to calm the heated situation in the country that they said had arisen through differences in opinion.

On Sunday, Abdurrahman called for more effective political dialogs between Indonesia's formal and informal leaders.

"Because the present government has no political sense and is lacking in leadership and losing control of the situation, the whole political elite, both inside and outside the government, should hold meaningful dialogs to stop the conflict. Otherwise, we may not be able to make it to the upcoming general election (scheduled for June 7, 1999)," he said.

Abdurrahman said that he wanted to meet President B.J. Habibie, Wiranto and other leading public figures to discuss ways to resolve the nation's difficulties.

The NU chairman reportedly has plans to meet President Habibie on either Thursday or Sunday.

On Monday, Habibie rejected the plan to hold further national dialogs, saying any such move would create more problems than it was intended to solve.

The President suggested that the nation should instead use the existing constitutional institutions.

"We have the People's Consultative Assembly and the House of Representatives. They are far from perfect, so let's make them perfect," he said. (imn)