House Speaker criticizes President's calls for peace

House Speaker criticizes President's calls for peace

JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives(DPR) Speaker Akbar
Tandjung on Wednesday criticized President Abdurrahman Wahid's
calls for peace, while letting his supporters throng the capital
to express support for him.

He said he decided to refuse the invitation to accompany the
President during his nationally televised address, slated for
Friday, as the latter did not clarify the substance of his
speech.

"The speech calling for peace is ironical. He (President
Abdurrahman) calls for peace, but he lets his supporters throng
the capital," Akbar told reporters.

"If it (the speech) is in the nation's interest, I think other
political figures should be involved. If that were the case, I
would reconsider my decision," he said.

"What is the relevance of my presence there if it is the
President's task," he added.

The speech will be read by presidential spokesman Wimar
Witoelar.

Akbar disclosed on Tuesday that President Abdurrahman had
asked him and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri to appear
with him on television during his nationwide address to reduce
political tension ahead of the House's plenary session on April
30.

The House, during the plenary session, will hear the factions'
evaluation of the President's response to the memorandum of
censure against him.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)'s
deputy secretary-general, Pramono Anung Wibowo, said separately
that it was awkward for other political leaders to appear on
television with the President during the speech.

"Especially when it is clear that it is not Gus Dur who will
be delivering the speech, but the presidential spokesman,"
Pramono said.

A security coordination meeting at the House decided on
Wednesday evening that the House compound would be off limits to
demonstrators on April 30.

"On the day of the plenary session, only the legislators,
journalists and related officials will be allowed to enter the
compound," Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Makbul
Padmanegara said as quoted by SCTV, a private television station.

Police also announced plans to use 90 armored cars to evacuate
lawmakers if street protests in the House vicinity turned violent
during Monday's plenary session.

The plenary session will also determine whether to issue a
second memorandum of censure against Abdurrahman, who is under
increasing pressure to resign over his erratic style of
leadership and alleged involvement in corruption.

A water-filled fiberglass barricade has also been set up to
deter people from trying to breach the security cordon.

Several television stations will also broadcast the session so
that people can watch it from their homes, the officer said.

Akbar said the House was determined to hold the plenary
session in the DPR building.

A total of 7,000 police and military personnel will be
deployed in vicinity of the DPR out of some 40,000 troops
dispatched to safeguard the capital.

The coordination meeting also decided that the House would not
receive any guests on April 30, saying that anyone attempting to
forcefully enter the House compound, including by jumping over
the fence or removing the water-filled barricade, would be shot
by security officers.

Meanwhile, President Abdurrahman, and top Cabinet members and
security officials went ahead with their weekly breakfast meeting
at Megawati's official residence on Wednesday morning, despite
the latter's absence.

Megawati is on a two-day working visit to Bali and scheduled
to return to Jakarta on Wednesday evening.

Speaking to media after the meeting, Wimar said the President
and top security officials discussed security preparations ahead
of the April 30 House plenary session.

Wimar's statement came as security personnel deployed armored
cars and reinforced security at the DPR building later in the
day.

Present at the breakfast meeting were Indonesian Military
chief Adm. Widodo A.S., three military chiefs of staff, the
National Police chief Surojo Bimantoro, Coordinating Minister for
Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
and defense minister Mahfud M.D. (byg/edt)