Recent dialog may ease tension: Wiranto

Recent dialog may ease tension: Wiranto

JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander General Wiranto
has expressed hope his recent meeting with opposition and reform
leaders, including Amien Rais and Abdurrahman Wahid, will help
ease tensions in the country and prevent new ones from
developing.

Wiranto said on Wednesday a dialog -- "or whatever it is
called" -- may be held at the national or local levels, but must
involve all sectors of society. He was speaking before attending
a Cabinet meeting on political affairs and security.

On Sunday, Wiranto, who is also defense minister, invited a
group of public figures, including opposition leader Megawati
Soekarnoputri and scholar Nurcholish Madjid, for a meeting. On
the agenda, according to Abdurrahman Wahid, was the security
situation, including Wiranto's conviction he knew some people
behind recent outbreaks of unrest.

Wiranto said they discussed nationalism, with a focus on the
reform process.

"We all have responsibilities and roles (to play). Let us
carry out these roles using the same reference, which is to bring
the reform process toward its goal."

The effort to come to a common stance could be realized
through both local and national dialogs, he added.

"Whatever it (the dialog) is called, the most important thing
is that we all agree the current situation in the country is
alarming," he said.

"The violence in several parts of the country is a social
problem. Do not see it as a political matter."

Communal clashes in Ambon, Maluku, last week claimed more than
55 lives.

Putting the problem in the right perspective would make it
easier for security forces to solve, Wiranto added.

"We should prevent (this violence) from becoming a political
problem, or from being used for certain political intentions."

Wiranto said results of his meeting with public figures must
be effectively disseminated through the mass media.

"Everyone can read and respond to the (results of the meeting)
easily. I highly appreciate the mass media's positive attitude
toward it."

He said he also hoped the meeting would return a normal
situation to the country.

"I understand that the people are worried about the recent
social unrest and this is not good for the life of the nation."
(prb/swe)