Talks should solve nation's problems: Mega

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)