NU leader seeks more info on 'Green Dragon'
NU leader seeks more info on 'Green Dragon'
JAKARTA (JP): The Central Java Chapter of the Nahdlatul Ulama
(NU) sought yesterday further explanation from chairman
Abdurrahman Wahid about his assertion there was an on-going
operation, code-named "Green Dragon", to discredit him and the
Moslem grouping.
"I've written to Gus Dur (Abdurrahman) because I'm not
familiar with the term. But I consider his statement a warning
for all NU members to be on the alert," chapter chairman Achmad
was quoted by Antara as saying in Semarang.
Abdurrahman went public with the allegations Sunday, calling
on all NU members to be vigilant for any attempt at provocation
by outsiders intent on creating instability and making NU the
scapegoat for recent and future unrest.
His allegations came in the wake of the riots in Situbondo
(East Java) in October and in Tasikmalaya (West Java) last month,
both predominantly NU-towns.
Abdurrahman used the phrase "Green Dragon" to distinguish it
from "Red Dragon", which he said was a covert operation to topple
Megawati Soekarnoputri from leadership of the Indonesian
Democratic Party last year.
Abdurrahman declined to say who was behind these operations.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono, when asked to comment on the
allegations about the "Green Dragon" operation, simply
acknowledged there had been attempts to sow instability in
Indonesia.
"Intelligence reports show some people have been coordinating
a certain mission here to create instability," Hartono told
reporters during a breaking of the fast meal at his official
residence in South Jakarta.
Hartono denied suggestions that the recent riots were intended
to discredit a certain mass organization or to put the blame on
it.
"I do not see the connection," he said.
When asked to specifically comment on the alleged motives
behind the "Green Dragon" operation, he said: "to my knowledge,
there are no attempts in that direction".
Separately, a member of the National Commission on Human
Rights, praised Abdurrahman yesterday for urging all NU members
to be vigilant.
Muladi, also rector of the Diponegoro University in Semarang,
said he saw the appeal as a measure that could prevent riots
involving NU members in other towns in the future.
"Surely, Gus Dur understands more the nahdliyyin (NU
followers)'s emotions, and the way he warned of danger has proven
very effective," Muladi was quoted by Antara as saying.
Muladi called on the Central Java office of the Agency for
Coordinating the National Defense and Stability to take
Abdurrahman's warning seriously and to look for effective
strategies to anticipate further riots. (03/imn)