Top leaders meet in show of unity

JAKARTA (JP): Top political leaders confirmed here on Monday that they had held a private meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid to consolidate ranks and ensure the continuity of the government for the sake of national stability.

Stopping short of describing the meeting as a "reconciliation", People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais and House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung separately said the meeting was the precursor of a collective public stance to show the people that the nation's leaders were united in their efforts to bring the nation out of its woes.

The meeting took place on Thursday night here and was attended by Abdurrahman, Amien, Akbar and Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab.

Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri was the most notable absentee from the meeting. There is no available explanation on Megawati's absence.

Akbar said the meeting symbolized their commitment to create a more peaceful political condition and to assure the general public that nothing destructive will happen in the People's Consultative Assembly general session in August.

"It is the intention of all national leaders ahead of the general session to assure the public that there is no need to worry and we are committed to create political stability in the country," Akbar told journalists on Monday.

Akbar claimed the Thursday meeting was initiated because of their concern about many of the country's unresolved problems.

When asked, he also insisted that there was no political bargaining during the meeting.

He further said that the three of them will hold a public appearance to declare their commitment to stability before the August general session.

"As for myself, in order to support political harmony I will be ready to make any kind of statement. We are still finding the right time and place to make this public declaration of our commitment," he remarked.

Akbar further said that it will be the responsibility of everyone to ensure that the current administration, which is dominated by civilians, will work successfully and maintain control of the country.

Separately Assembly Speaker Amien Rais said on Monday that during the meeting he told the President while there may be strong criticism of him during the session, none of it is meant to topple him.

"I told the President, Gus, that the possibility of an impeachment is unlikely and the interpellation motion is a simply a means for the House to exercise their rights, so there is no need to worry," Amien said referring to Abdurrahman by his nickname.

Amien, who is known for his sharp comments about the President, underlined that it is important for the government to stay calm and conduct their duties, while the House and Assembly will continue to criticize and provide input for them.

"Please do not see the harsh and upfront criticism as an effort to topple the President. The legislators are paid to state their criticism of the government. It is part of democracy," Amien remarked.

Amien also denied that there has been a deep conflict between himself and Abdurrahman, saying that it was the media who invented the idea and created the situation of a "dispute".

On Sunday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab told The Jakarta Post that the meeting was the first sign of reconciliation and marked the political elites' intention to try to see things eye to eye again.

Alwi, who is known as a close confidant of Abdurrahman, also claimed that there were some guarantees during the meeting that Abdurrahman will not be brought down during the August sessions.

One of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chiefs, Saifullah Yusuf, when asked by the Post, played down Megawati's absence, saying that the Vice President has often held meetings with Abdurrahman and Akbar.

On the interpellation motion, Akbar urged the President to fulfill the summons and give an opportunity for legislators to hold a dialog with him.

Akbar urged the President to come to the House before July 20 so legislators have time to respond and hold a dialog over the President's explanation.

Abdurrahman has asked the House to delay the initial schedule of the interpellation motion from July 13 to July 20. However, the House looks set to reject the request as it is to begin recess on July 21.

Akbar said the House's consultative body will hold a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the President's schedule for the interpellation motion.

"I will contact the President once another schedule is set, but Abdurrahman should consider appearing before July 20," he added. (dja)