Talks intensify between parties

JAKARTA (JP): With the People's Consultative Assembly special session drawing near, the major political parties are preferring to intensify discussions among themselves than to negotiate with the envoys of embattled President Abdurrahman Wahid, party figures say.

Hatta Radjasa, the secretary-general of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said that more frequent and in-depth talks have been taking place between the five parties that voted in favor of the House of Representatives' motions of censure against the President earlier this year in a bid to draw up a common agenda in preparation for the aftermath of the special session.

"Besides the House factions' regular meetings, the party secretary-generals have met several times to consolidate their political stances during the special session and draw up a common agenda to prepare for the possible emergence of a new government," he said here on Thursday.

The five parties are PAN, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), United Development Party (PPP), Golkar Party and Crescent Star Party (PBB).

Hatta refused to elaborate on the joint plan but said it would be brought before a summit meeting of party chiefs in the near future, possibly next week.

Pramono Anung Wibowo, deputy secretary-general of PDI Perjuangan, said the date for the meeting between party chiefs remained undecided pending the confirmation of PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri's attendance.

The ongoing lobbying, Pramono added, not only involved the parties' joint stand during the special session but also a common platform to overcome the political and economic crises.

Abdurrahman has tasked the Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs, Agum Gumelar, Minister of Defense Mahfud MD, Minister of Finance Rizal Ramli and Attorney General Baharuddin Lopa with the job of approaching the major political parties.

Amien Rais, the chairman of PAN, labeled the lobbying by the President's team as unproductive and a waste of time. He said the parties had gained nothing from the negotiations.

"The President's team has never met with me, let alone approached our party, while the other parties have expressed dissatisfaction with the team as they have proposed nothing to break the political impasse. So, it's better to call a halt to such fruitless lobbying," he said.

Later in the day, Amien reiterated his dismissal of a possible acceleration of the Assembly special session, saying that the event would kick off on Aug. 1 as scheduled.

He was speaking after the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday hosted by Muslim leader Habib Abdurrahman bin Al Habsyi at the renowned Kwitang Islamic Center in Central Jakarta. Also present at the celebration were Akbar, Megawati's husband Taufik Kiemas and former Indonesian Military chief Gen. (ret.) Wiranto.

The four prominent figures sat side by side in the same row. None of them were willing to comment on the rare gathering, which was also attended by thousands of Muslims.

Syamsul Mu'arif, chairman of the Golkar faction in the House, said the major faction leaders had agreed to draw up a common platform covering the political, economic and legal fields to be implemented after the special session, no matter who the president was.

Meanwhile, the PKB hailed the talks between the President's team and the party leaders.

"The team's successful lobbying of party leaders and the recent decision of the People's Consultative Assembly to prepare a draft decree on the acceptance of the President's accountability statement with conditions attached are good omens for the possibility of political compromise during the special session," Abdul Kholiq Achmad, deputy secretary of the PKB, said.

Deputy secretary-general of the United Development Party (PPP) Bachtiar Chamsyah admitted that during the interparty talks his party was holding out for the nomination of PPP chairman Hamzah Haz for the vice presidency.

"We are fighting it out by seeking support from other parties, especially the Golkar Party," he said.

A reliable source in PPP said that the Muslim-based party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) were in a tug-of-war for the vice presidential post as PDI Perjuangan would likely nominate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the former coordinating minister for political, social and security affairs. (rms)