Gus Dur renews threat to declare civil emergency

Gus Dur renews threat to declare civil emergency

JAKARTA (JP): Although opposed by some Cabinet members and the
House of Representatives, President Abdurrahman Wahid renewed on
Friday his threat of declaring a state of civil emergency if his
political foes continued with their impeachment drive.

The President said he had humiliated himself by accepting the
special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) next
month, but vowed to no longer tolerate the Assembly's demand that
he account for his government's poor performance.

Abdurrahman said he would oppose any agenda that would require
him to account for his actions as President or entail a
discussion on the division of duties as between the President and
the Vice President.

"If that happens, whether you want it or not, as the President
I will declare a state of civil emergency," Abdurrahman said
during a public dialog, after performing Friday prayers at Al
Munawwaroh Mosque near his private residence in Ciganjur, South
Jakarta.

The President criticized the Assembly for ignoring the urgent
problems facing the nation, focusing instead on ways to oust him
from presidency.

"There are a lot of other topics they (MPR members) could
discuss, such as taxes and the world situation. They don't need
to worry about having nothing to talk about," the President said.

Major factions in the Assembly have anticipated a failure to
put in an appearance on the part of Abdurrahman by preparing a
draft decree that would allow the highest legislative body to
revoke its mandate from the President.

The new threat came as Abdurrahman continued to offer to hold
informal talks with party leaders in which they would be expected
to discuss possible solutions to the prolonged standoff between
the legislature and the executive.

Originally slated to take place on Saturday at the Bogor
presidential palace, the meeting will almost certainly be delayed
until Monday pending the return of Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman and Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri from an official visit to Singapore.

"I don't know, maybe if she returns tonight (Friday) then we
could have the meeting on Saturday. If not, it will be on Monday.
We're not sure about it," Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab
told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

When asked whether Megawati had confirmed her attendance, Alwi
said, "I don't know, only Pak Agum can reach her," referring to
Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs
Agum Gumelar.

Megawati had yet to respond to the invitation.

Alwi further said that the Golkar Party Chairman Akbar
Tandjung, the United Development Party (PPP) Chairman Hamzah Haz
and the National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairman Matori Abdul
Djalil had confirmed their attendance at the meeting.

Alwi also said that the President had not invited the Justice
Party or Crescent Star Party leaders as they had already rejected
the offer even before the invitations had been issued.

National Mandate Party (PAN) Chairman Amien Rais had also
refused to attend the meeting, Alwi said.

In contrast to Alwi's claim, party leaders remained uncertain
on Friday whether to attend the meeting or not, citing the
absence of formal invitations from the President.

Akbar said he would accept Abdurrahman's invitation only after
he returned from his official visit outside the capital on Sunday
afternoon.

"I am still not sure about the date of the meeting, so I
cannot say whether I will attend it or not," he said.

Unlike Akbar, Amien expressed his reluctance to participate in
the meeting, citing his "very tight schedule".(dja/tso/prb)