Megawati asked to detail results of her U.S. trip

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Leaders of several Muslim political parties demanded on Tuesday that President Megawati Soekarnoputri explain to the House of Representatives (DPR) how Indonesia benefited from her U.S. trip and what it has offered in return.

They insisted that this was important to avoid any misperception that she had offered too much amid rising anti-U.S. sentiment in the country.

"It needs explanation, because it seems that Megawati has not protected the Muslims' interest," Nadir Muhammad of the United Development Party (PPP) said on Tuesday after a hearing with State Secretary Bambang Kesowo.

Nadir hailed Megawati's decision to extend sympathy to the people and the government of the U.S., but he urged the President to disclose to the public if there were talks about the U.S. plan to attack Afghanistan. "If the talks were held, they have to be explained to public," he told The Jakarta Post.

Samuel Koto of the Reform faction also said the President should invite Muslim leaders to discuss her stance on and relations with the U.S. government in the fields of politics, economy and culture.

"That will have consequences for every (future) government in its execution of foreign policy," Samuel told the Post.

He added Megawati should seriously consider the wishes of the Islamic groups in order to avoid any crucial problems that may occur should she ignore the Muslims, who account for more than 85 percent of the country's population.

Yasril Ananta Baharuddin of Golkar, who accompanied the President on her visit to the U.S., said the government's stance on this issue was clear. "We fully support the efforts to fight terrorism. We need to cooperate with all countries because terrorism can take place anywhere," he said.

The government, however, was not in a position to offer support to the possible U.S. campaign against Afghanistan, which is believed by Washington to be harboring alleged terrorist attack mastermind Osama bin Laden. "Our stance is definitely clear. We would strongly oppose any U.S. attack," he added.

He also made it clear that there was no pressure put on the Indonesian government to support a U.S. military strike from the U.S. government during the bilateral talks. (08)