Megawati promises to review stance

Megawati promises to review stance

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post,
Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri broke her silence on Friday
over the U.S. attacks on military targets in Afghanistan and
promised that the government would review its "soft" stance on
the attacks.

Speaking in a joint press conference with House of
Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung, Megawati promised
to take into account the demands of House leaders that Indonesia
should take a more resolute stance against the attacks.

"The government will take note of developments and at the
appropriate time will issue a new statement," the President said
after a two-and-a-half hour meeting with House leaders at the
State Palace.

Megawati, nevertheless, claimed that the government had the
backing of the House in its resolution to combat international
terrorism.

"The DPR totally supports our stance that terrorism must be
eradicated. The actions of the government have received the full
support of the DPR. We must encourage international cooperation
in facing this (terrorism),"

"On the problems that have emerged after the tragedy in the
U.S. and the ongoing military campaign in Afghanistan, we have
had good and intensive discussions. The House has urged that the
government should actively monitor the rapid developments," said
Megawati.

This was for the first statement from Megawati since the U.S.
attacked military targets in Afghanistan on Sunday night. She has
been criticized for remaining silent while daily protests have
erupted in several Indonesian cities and radical groups have made
threats against Americans, Britons and Japanese here.

When asked why she did not hold a dialog with Muslim leaders,
Megawati replied: "We have done that. Before issuing the
statement we also sought their views."

While Megawati was addressing the media, Akbar was busy
reading his own notes.

"The government's position seems unclear," Akbar said in his
statement.

"The government should ask the U.S. to stop its attacks. If
the U.S. genuinely wants to eradicate terrorists it should find
their hiding places. These attacks on cities and towns are
causing many civilian casualties," said Akbar, who is also
chairman of the Golkar Party.

Despite his strong remarks, the speaker also praised the
President's explanation. "We are quite satisfied because the
government comprehends the will of the House".

During the meeting, Akbar was accompanied by four deputies,
representatives of all House factions and leaders of six House
commissions.

The President, meanwhile, was accompanied by Vice President
Hamzah Haz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda,
Indonesian Military Chief Adm. Widodo A.S. and her three
coordinating ministers -- including Coordinating Minister for
Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Presidential secretary Kemal Munawar disclosed that besides
Megawati, foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda also briefed
legislators about the cautiously worded communique issued by the
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting in Doha earlier
this week.

Hamzah Haz, nevertheless, did not give any comment during the
meeting although Megawati requested him to express his views.

"The Vice President did not speak at all during the meeting,"
Cabinet deputy secretary Erman Rajagukguk said.

Meanwhile, House deputy speaker A.M. Fatwa quoted the
President as saying that she strongly criticized the U.S. attacks
in her meetings with American leaders.

"But we want the government to criticize the attacks openly
not just behind closed doors," said the politician from the
National Mandate Party (PAN).

Legislator Ishak Latuconsina, from the Indonesian
Military/National Police faction, described the consultative
meeting as very positive.

"We had very good discussions with the President and we fully
understand the government's stance," Ishak noted.

The National Awakening Party (PKB), the staunch supporter of
former president Abdurrahman Wahid, was quick to attack Megawati.

"The focus of the meeting was not clear," said its faction
chairman Ali Masykur Moesa.

During the meeting, several palace security guards panicked
when they saw smoke coming from Admiral Widodo's car. The car's
carburetor malfunctioned shortly before the admiral was to get
into his car.

"Terrorists?" a palace official joked to a shaken palace
security officer.