'No common ground between Gus Dur - House'

'No common ground between Gus Dur - House'

JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
admitted that there remained a wide gap in the political position
between most legislators and President Abdurrahman Wahid, who
remained defiant over plans to seek a presidential accountability
at a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

"I would say there wasn't any common ground," he told
reporters after meeting a visiting team from the International
Monetary Fund.

"He (Abdurrahman) stated his position to us, and I made clear
ours," Akbar said.

Akbar, who is also Golkar Party chief, and United Development
Party chairman Hamzah Haz quietly held talks with Abdurrahman on
Tuesday.

Akbar, who insisted that the meeting was an informal one,
stressed that Abdurrahman remained defiant over the issue of
accountability, which he claimed could only be sought at the end
of his term of office in 2004.

If Abdurrahman fails to present his accountability, or if it
is rejected, it could spell the end of his presidency.

But according to Akbar, Abdurrahman remained stubborn in his
position.

"My job is to uphold the constitution and if necessary, I will
stay at the palace all by myself if I'm forced to do so," he
quoted the President as saying.

"To which I replied that the special session is
constitutional," Akbar said.

Abdurrahman, in his latest threat, warned on Monday that a
state of emergency could be imposed by July 20.

"I told him (Abdurrahman) that asking for a president's
accountability isn't reserved only for the end of his term,"
Akbar said, adding that he also urged Abdurrahman to give Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri a chance to lead the country.

Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Amien Rais charged that Akbar and
Hamzah were being inconsistent in their political stance by
"secretly meeting" with Abdurrahman.

"When Gus Dur invited them to hold a meeting at Bogor Palace,
they didn't go. Then, without informing anyone, they met the
President yesterday (Tuesday), and until now, the substance of
that meeting still remains a mystery," Amien said.

However, Amien, who is also the chairman of the National
Mandate Party (PAN), said that he didn't feel disappointed by the
meeting.

Separately, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab expressed
optimism on the recent political lobbying in a bid to seek a
compromise that could save Abdurrahman's presidency.

Alwi based his confidence on the results of the latest meeting
between the President, Akbar and Hamzah.

"I feel enthusiasm that this can lead to reconciliation and
can bring about a political solution," he stated on Wednesday at
his office, after signing a joint declaration from five
ministries to establish protection for Indonesian migrant
workers.

Alwi, who is the President's confidant, maintained that the
lobbying would continue, despite the determination of the House
to hold the special session.(bby/tso/bkm)