PDI-P asks PAN not to accept compromise outside MPR session

PDI-P asks PAN not to accept compromise outside MPR session

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) stepped up its lobbying efforts here on Friday,
wooing the National Mandate Party (PAN) to ensure that no
political compromise to the deadlock with the President was
reached outside the special session of the People's Consultative
Assembly.

PDI Perjuangan member Taufik Kiemas, who is also Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri's husband, attended Friday
prayers with PAN chairman Amien Rais and Muhammadiyah chairman
Syafi'i Maarif at the Muslim organization's headquarters. After
the prayers, the three held talks.

"No, there was no agreement," Syafi'i said. "We were just
underlining to each other that the special session is the best
way to end the current crisis. God willing, after the special
session everything will be OK."

Syafi'i said the discussion after the prayers touched on
various political issues and focused more on the possible
grassroots conflict that could erupt as a result of the
Assembly's special session.

"But we believe that everything will be OK. There will be some
(minor) conflicts, but they will end," Syafi'i insisted.

He also said that during the discussion, Taufik underlined
that PDI perjuangan would not accept a political compromise ahead
of the special session.

"The main point is to hold the special session, as it was
planned with an agenda that has been decided on
constitutionally," Syafi'i asserted.

President Abdurrahman Wahid may be removed from office during
the special session if his accountability is rejected by the
Assembly.

If this occurs, Megawati, who is also the chairwoman of PDI
Perjuangan, will be named president to replace Abdurrahman.

There have been indications of a possible compromise in the
past few weeks, as talks intensified between aides to the
President and the Golkar Party, along with the United Development
Party (PPP).

Leaders of these two major parties have informally spoken of a
power-sharing scheme between the President and the Vice President
that would allow Abdurrahman to remain in office.

PAN and PDI Perjuangan were left out of the talks between the
major parties, despite assertions from the Golkar Party chief
that they were "consulted".

A PDI Perjuangan official told The Jakarta Post that PAN
chairman Amien Rais held discussions with Megawati on Thursday at
her official residence.

PPP chairman Hamzah Haz was also invited by Megawati to her
official residence on Friday afternoon. However, details of the
meeting were not disclosed.

PAN secretary-general Hatta Radjasa maintained that the
discussion following the Friday prayers were not significant.

"We just talked about the preparations for the special
session, nothing more," Hatta told the Post.

On the meeting between Amien and Megawati, Hatta said the two
discussed the possibility of moving forward the special session,
although they were of the opinion, at the time, that it would be
best to stick to the planned Aug. 1 schedule.

PPP secretary-general Alimarwan Hanan said he was not informed
of the substance of the discussion between Hamzah and Megawati.

"Maybe they were trying to find the best solution for the
country," he told the Post.(dja)