Gus Dur ready for compromise

SLEMAN, Yogyakarta (JP): President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid expressed his readiness for a political compromise here on Friday, but insisted any deal must not lessen his authority as president.

Abdurrahman asserted that he would only agree to a compromise if it guaranteed his constitutional right and authority in defining policy guidelines and appointing high-ranking officials and Cabinet members.

"Compromise has its limitations. I do not want people meddling in my privilege to appoint high-ranking officials. People can propose any candidate, but I will have the final say," the President said after Friday prayers at the Pangandaran Islamic boarding school some 12 kilometers north of Yogyakarta.

"The rest will be under the authority of Ibu Vice President (Megawati Soekarnoputri), including the day-to-day running of the government."

Abdurrahman, who was on a one-day visit to Yogyakarta, added that talks between top political leaders to work out the arrangement would soon be held.

The President was quick to point out, however, that he would not step down, saying his removal from office would lead to the breakup of the country.

"Many people have suggested it is better for me to resign ... but I think if I quit this country will fall apart," Abdurrahman said.

The President has repeatedly claimed that Madura and the troubled provinces of Aceh, Irian Jaya and Maluku would proclaim their independence if he were removed from office.

The President's political rivals have dismissed this claim, calling it baseless and ridiculous.

"Many people do not believe me, accusing me of using the argument as a pretext to hold on to power. How can we have a dialog if they are suspicious?" the President said.

Abdurrahman also called on the nation to remain calm and exercise restraint. "In a situation such as this, I hope everybody is willing to exercise restraint. If this bickering continues, we will not be able to repair the economy and the greenback will continue to strengthen against the rupiah."

The President also said the nation was not "accustomed to democratic values" despite the existence of democratic institutions.

Abdurrahman's statements come with his prospects for political survival looking increasingly bleak following the issuance of a second memorandum of censure by the House of Representatives on Monday.

Abdurrahman's camp has been attempting to reach a deal with the President's main political rivals, suggesting that yet another Cabinet reshuffle was a "viable" option.

However, leading politicians, particularly those from the Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), have emphasized that a Cabinet reshuffle is not enough.

Apart from weighing the possibility of Abdurrahman's resignation or impeachment, politicians are also looking at strengthening a presidential decree which delegates greater authority to Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

PDI Perjuangan, the party chaired by Megawati, has also stepped forward and proposed a gathering of political party leaders to discuss the current political impasse.

Abdurrahman claimed on Friday he had been "very patient and accommodating" in giving away most of his authority to Megawati.

The president also praised Megawati for maintaining a low profile, but said her silence often caused misunderstanding.

"That is why (during a breakfast meeting at Megawati's residence) on Wednesday I encouraged her to take a more high- profile position in order not to create the impression that she has no opinions," he said.

Meanwhile in Bogor, West Java, Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung insisted that Abdurrahman's claim the country would breakup if he were to resign was "simply untrue".

"We regret the head of state makes statements which only plant seeds of division," Akbar, who is also House speaker, said while attending a gathering of farmers and fishermen on Friday afternoon.

He said Golkar had no misgivings about supporting the second censure motion because the President had violated the State Policy Guidelines, and would not hesitate to push for a special session of the Assembly if the President failed to respond satisfactorily to the censure within the next few weeks. (21/44/dja/byg)