Protests greet Gus Dur in Bogor

Protests greet Gus Dur in Bogor

BOGOR (JP): Hundreds of students greeted visiting President
'Gus Dur' Abdurrahman Wahid with protests on Wednesday demanding
that the President pay better attention to agriculture and make
it a leading sector in the country's economy.

The protesting students were only some 30 meters away from the
stage where the President gave his address at the opening of the
veterinary center at the Institute of Agriculture of Bogor (IPB).

No violence was reported.

The students, who insisted to talk directly with Gus Dur, also
demanded that the President change his political attitude and
improve his pattern of leadership. They also wanted the
government to improve the life of traditional farmers.

"It's Time for Gus Dur to Stop His Maneuvers Which Do Not
Emphasize the People's Interest. Stop Your Overseas Trips and
Start To Tour the Archipelago To See How Your People Are," some
of the banners they were carrying read.

The students, who were reportedly from Jakarta, dispersed
quietly after Gus Dur refused to talk to them.

The President said in his address that IPB must be able to
combine traditional agriculture and technology. "It's a challenge
to the IPB academicians."

Gus Dur also donated Rp 1 billion for the construction of a
student's dormitory after IPB rector Amman Wirakartakusumah said
in his report that the student's dormitory project had yet to be
realized due to shortage of funds. (21)