NU shuns succession debate

SEMARANG (JP): Chairman of the influential Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Abdurrahman Wahid, called on members to stay away from the presidential succession debate saying that the matter would be deliberated by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

"The presidential and vice presidential candidacies are not NU's concern. They are the MPR's. We have channeled our aspirations through the general election," Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, told thousands of NU members in Semarang on Sunday.

He asserted that NU's 30-million strong organization would focus more on the questions of national unity and cohesiveness. He said NU members should not debate over presidential or vice- presidential nominees.

The 1000 member Assembly will convene in March to elect the president and vice president for the 1998/2003 term and draw up the State Policy Guidelines.

In a related development, a national meeting marking the 38th anniversary of Pemuda Pancasila, a youth organization affiliated with the dominant Golkar faction, has also decided not to issue a political statement on the national leadership issue.

Pemuda Pancasila chairman Yapto S. Soerjosoemarno said the issue would be decided by the House of Representatives and the Assembly.

Yapto said the organization's central board has instructed its delegates not to sign the Indonesian National Youth Committee's (KNPI) political statement concerning the national leadership which would likely express support for Soeharto's nomination.

KNPI, which is an umbrella group for various youth organizations, will hold a national meeting later this year. (har/10)