Megawati might reconcile given certain conditions

Megawati might reconcile given certain conditions

JAKARTA (JP): The deposed leader of the Indonesian Democratic
Party (PDI), Megawati Soekarnoputri, has insisted she would only
be willing to reconcile with her ouster Soerjadi if she is
reinstated.

She acknowledged joining force with her rival would be a sound
strategy for the party and boost its popularity at the polls in
May's general election.

"There are conditions, however, before I could decide to meet
Soerjadi," she told The Jakarta Post Saturday. "I will do so only
in my status as PDI chairwoman."

She also insisted she be fully informed of such a meeting's
agenda before agreeing to it.

Political observers, many of whom have hoped for such a
meeting for some time, suggested Megawati "forgive" Soerjadi and
seek reconciliation.

The latest call came from former minister of home affairs
Rudini, who asked the opposing factions to set aside differences
and join hands to prepare the party for the election.

Megawati, however, said it would not be possible for her to
meet Soerjadi unless she had the opportunity to address the
questions of party structure -- now split into two camps -- and
various violations committed by a group of party rebels last
year.

"One thing is sure: I will reject the proposal for a meeting
if it is meant to obtain my blessing for the congress in June
last year," she said.

Megawati, who won the party's leadership in the 1993
extraordinary congress in Surabaya, was unseated by Soerjadi in a
government-backed congress held in the North Sumatra capital of
Medan in June last year.

Despite great pressure, Megawati has maintained she remains
the party's lawful leader.

The congress itself drew ire from Megawati supporters who
vowed they would remain loyal and retain hold of the party
headquarters. On July 27, however, Soerjadi followers and troops
forcibly took over the headquarters from the hands of Megawati
loyalists.

Megawati supporters that day mingled with an angry mob and
took to the Jakarta streets, going on a violent rampage. Five
people died, 149 were wounded and 23 others are still reportedly
missing as a result of the riot.

Megawati said the meeting, should one take place, must be held
in a formal forum attended by party officials and members.

She also rejected the possibility of allowing a mediator to
settle the dispute. "Receiving (a mediator) would put me in
position that could be interpreted as recognizing the results of
the Medan congress," she said. (imn)