NU shuns succession debate

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)