Gus Dur rectifies his statements

JAKARTA (JP): Returning President Abdurrahman Wahid sought to rectify reports of the impending decree on a state of emergency and a change of military chiefs of staff, which gave the nation a case of the jitters while he was abroad.

Abdurrahman, who arrived at Halim Perdanakusumah Airport from Manila 15 minutes earlier than scheduled, was greeted by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, several Cabinet ministers, Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Adm. Widodo AS and National Police Deputy Chief Comr. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail.

In a media conference at the airport, Abdurrahman said comments he had made overseas to declare a state of emergency would only be used as a last resort if no compromise or honorable solution to the President and House of Representatives was reached.

"It's a last resort that will be taken if we cannot reach a win win solution," Abdurrahman said, speaking in English.

"I believe that we can achieve that conclusion satisfactorily," he added, referring to the upcoming special session of the People's Consultative Assembly, which could turn out to be the his impeachment hearing.

The President further expressed his guarded optimism that a solution to the prolonged standoff between him and the House could be reached.

"That's why I went out of the country, otherwise I wouldn't have gone," he said.

He further spoke about the reported statement from Megawati, who is also the chairwoman of the country's largest political party, that she had closed the door for a compromise with the President in the coming special session.

"She's never stated it directly, it (the statement) was from somebody else, she did not mention it herself. I haven't talked to her yet," said Abdurrahman upon his arrival.

Military

The President further brushed aside rumors of his intention to replace the Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs of staff before Aug. 1, the date for the Assembly special session to commence, saying that it was merely a media twist.

Members of his own National Awakening Party (PKB) said on Thursday that the President was preparing to change the three chiefs of staff, in an apparent bid to ease his plan to declare a state of emergency.

Earlier in Manila, he mentioned that there was no need to replace military officials at the moment.

"If things go the way they are now, there is no need for that kind of replacement...no dismissals in the military except in the case of an emergency. An emergency is the last thing to come and will be decided collectively, not just by myself," he said, as quoted by AFP.

Expressing gratitude to the Indonesian Air Force was the first statement the President made upon his arrival. He also expressed his relief to reach home safely, calling the continuing mishaps of his trip "not as terrible as was reported".

Abdurrahman's arrival in Manila was delayed for an hour following trouble with the cockpit window of the Garuda Boeing 747 in which he was traveling. An engine problem had delayed his scheduled landing in Canberra for eight hours on Monday.

During Friday's media conference, Abdurrahman said that his trip resulted in widespread support for his West Pacific Forum initiative, which he raised last year, especially from Australia and New Zealand.

The President also said that the government would further invite neighboring country Brunei Darussalam to discuss the forum initiative and whether it would like to become a member.

"The Australians urged for further discussion immediately among foreign ministers as soon as possible," Abdurrahman said.

On his short "lunch break" with President of the Philippines Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo in Manila, Abdurrahman said she had expressed appreciation of Indonesia's support in peace talks with a Muslim separatist group in the Philippines.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a truce with Manila in talks held in Libya last week. Indonesia took part as a third party in the talks.

He said that President Arroyo had also expressed support for the West Pacific Forum idea and the Philippines is willing to join the next discussion on the prospective forum.

"Actually the main purpose of the visit was to congratulate President Arroyo for her new presidency and she thanked us for our role in the peace talks with the MILF," the President said. (dja)