Include Soeharto in dialog: Gus Dur

Include Soeharto in dialog: Gus Dur

JAKARTA (JP): Moslem leader Abdurrahman Wahid made a fresh
call on Wednesday for former president Soeharto to be included in
a dialog for national reconciliation.

"Pak Harto, as well as President B.J. Habibie and Armed Forces
Commander Gen. Wiranto, should be included in the dialog if we
want to achieve national reconciliation," he told reporters after
receiving a delegation of several political parties at his
residence in Ciganjur, South Jakarta.

"Pak Harto still has a strong influence on Indonesia's
political affairs," he said. "Although he is no longer the
president of Indonesia, his opinions are still followed by many
people."

Asked to elaborate about his belief that Soeharto still
wielded considerable political influence, he said numerous
Indonesians were still loyal to the former president.

"I do not need to mention their names, but he still has lots
of supporters, including those holding important government
positions," said Abdurrahman, who is better known as Gus Dur.

In response to recent criticism over his "maneuver" meetings
with Habibie and Wiranto, Abdurrahman expressed confidence of his
mission to help develop national unity.

"I realize that my decision will not be popular with the
students."

"But, I don't care and will never care about how the students
respond," he said. "I have never cared about NU's response, or,
above all, other people's response."

Abdurrahman met with Wiranto last Wednesday and Habibie last
Saturday to discuss the planned national dialog for
reconciliation.

Several newspapers reported that he also met with Soeharto for
the same purpose on Sunday. Abdurrahman has dismissed the
reports.

Amien Rais -- who, along with Abdurrahman, Megawati
Soekarnoputri and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, formed the Ciganjur
group of reform leaders -- lamented the meetings because he
believed Abdurrahman had abandoned the group.

Abdurrahman, however, said the meetings were called on his own
initiative.

"I undertook all of them in my capacity as an individual, not
as one of the signatories of the Ciganjur declaration," he said.

"Pak Amien should not be bothered with my actions as the other
signatories, including Mbak Mega, have not said a word about
them," he added. Megawati is the leader of the more popular
faction of the splintered Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

Abdurrahman said he was campaigning for national
reconciliation out of concern for national unity which he
believed was not at risk.

"There are still efforts by certain parties to turn Indonesia
into a religious state," he said, but did not elaborate.

Abdurrahman dismissed speculation that personal ambition was
behind his political maneuvering. He said physical disability
hindered him from becoming president.

"I have problems with my sight," he said.

He, however, did not dismiss the possibility of joining the
presidential race if surgery, planned for next year in Australia,
restores his eyesight.

"Who knows if I'll be able to join the presidential race," he
said. (imn)