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)