Talks should solve nation's problems: Mega

JAKARTA (JP): The deputy secretary-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said here yesterday that the party chairperson, Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also Vice President, wanted the talks between political leaders proposed by the President to be about solving the nation's problems.

"She will not attend the reconciliation talks proposed by President Abdurrahman Wahid if they are only about political bargaining (between the parties), instead of solving the political crisis which is the country's main problem," Pramono Anung said on the sidelines of a seminar on politics here.

Pramono failed to explain if Megawati had briefed him or other party officials about her stance on the meeting.

Megawati has so far been tight-lipped about the issue.

President Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur as he is familiarly known, had earlier aired his plan for talks involving himself, Megawati, the Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Amien Rais, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Akbar Tandjung.

In another development, the chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction in the House, Taufiqurrahman Saleh, expressed his appreciation for the President's proposal.

"The main topics they should discuss at the meeting are the current threats to the country's integrity and restoring the country's economy," Taufiqurrahman said.

Meanwhile, former coordinating minister for political and security affairs Gen. (ret) Wiranto suggested here that more figures should be invited to the meeting.

"In the current democratic atmosphere, I think all political leaders who have constituents should be invited to share their opinions," Wiranto said.

He stressed that in such a difficult situation, every leader should put the national interest before his group or party interests during the (planned) discussions.

Response

Hamzah Haz, chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), and Yusril Ihza Mahendra, chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB), said separately on Monday that the President's call for reconciliation would not receive a positive response from the major factions in the House as they no longer had confidence in the government.

"It would be better for the President to step down voluntarily than to call for reconciliation," Hamzah said after attending the opening ceremony of the Indonesian Youth Committee's national congress here on Monday.

He was of the opinion that a solution to the conflict between the President and the House was not in the hands of the four leaders, but rather in the hands of the main House factions.

"Gus Dur's fate will be decided by the main factions in the House and a second memorandum of censure will likely be issued because of the President's disappointing reply to the first memorandum," he said.

Yusril concurred and said a second censure of the President was inevitable as he had failed to make the necessary corrections.

Akbar said in Salatiga, Central Java on Sunday that both Hamzah and Yusril must be invited in the meeting. "They both lead political parties with a huge number of supporters."

Minister of Defense Mahfud MD said that the attempt at compromise was an effort to avoid conflict at the grassroots level.

"It is wrong to reject compromise," Mahfud said on the sidelines of the Air Force's 55th anniversary celebrations at Halim Perdanakusuma air base in Jakarta.

Mahfud suggested that the four leaders hold a limited preliminary meeting to formulate the agenda.

When asked whether the government would act resolutely against the President's supporters who had been undergoing training in preparation for a Jihad (Muslim holy war) in defense of Abdurrahman, Mahfud said that "there will be no sanctions as long they don't engage in violence."

Meanwhile, a political observer said in Yogyakarta on Monday that it was too late for Gus Dur to initiate such a meeting.

Ichlasul Amal, who is rector of the Gadjah Mada University, believed that the meeting would not be fruitful.

"The nation's problems cannot be solved by these four figures alone," said Amal.

"Furthermore, the meeting will not boost Gus Dur's legitimacy, and will not let him of the hook as regards the second memorandum (of censure)," he said. "I also doubt whether the proposed meeting will cool down the tension at the grassroots level."

According to Amal, the nub of the current political impasse was the fact that President Abdurrahman had been gradually losing legitimacy.

"The point is, those opposing the President won't accept anything he (the President) does," said Amal. (dja/02/rms/23/sur)