Soeharto supports planned govt and media forum on policy

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto gave his blessings yesterday to a proposal to have senior editors and cabinet ministers in a forum to harmonize their perceptions on government policies.

"The President said this forum is important for both sides to develop mutual understanding about state affairs," said Alwi Dahlan, vice chairman of the Agency for the Propagation of Pancasila (BP7).

Alwi, accompanied by BP7 Chairman Soeprapto, met with Soeharto at Merdeka Palace to report on the agency's latest activities.

"The President said the idea is very good. Such a forum is needed by the mass media and the government so that they both attain better insight," Alwi said.

Sixty-nine chief editors recently took part in a 10-day advanced level course on Pancasila called "Manggala" in Bogor, about 60 kilometers south of here. The course was opened by the President.

Alwi claimed that at the end of the course, several participants suggested gatherings be held between them and senior cabinet officials in order to exchange views and harmonize perceptions on various problems facing the nation.

He added that the President noted how misperceptions and a lack of information on particular issues often created spats. Alwi then pointed out that sometimes even officials have a less than accurate understanding of the press.

Alwi said no fixed date for the gathering had been determined but promised "it will be held soon".

He added that BP7 would soon hold Pancasila courses for managing editors of the mass media.

In his report to the President, Soeprapto said BP7 has concluded Pancasila courses of the Manggala level for all provincial governors and high-ranking civil servants with 813 total participants.

Manggala courses have also been held for 632 state university rectors and deans as well as 95 rectors and deans from private universities.

Over 7,800 level-two officials have taken part in courses held by BP7, while bureaucrats of level three, four and five throughout the country will soon be trained.

Both Soeprapto and Alwi claimed that participants found the courses helpful, allowing frank discussions about realistic issues in everyday life. (mds)