Gus Dur ready for compromise

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)