'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)