Top leaders meet in show of unity

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)