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Indonesian President, Vice President Talk on Recent Situation
Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid exchanged views with Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on the recent political development in a "breakfast gathering" at the latter's official residence, a presidential spokesman said Wednesday.
In the course of the gathering, the president was accompanied by Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab, Chief of Staff of the Navy Adm. Indroko, the Air Force Chief of Staff Marshall Hanafie Asnan and Chief of the National Police Gen. S. Bimantoro, Wimar Witoelar was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.
"The president has discussed recent demonstrations in connection with the findings of the House special committee ( Pansus) on two financial scandals known as Bruneigate and Buloggate linked to him," Witoelar added.
But, however it appeared to be aimed at preparing anticipative measures by Wahid ahead of the House plenary session, during which all factions there would deliver their opinions on the Pansus findings.
The day before, the Pansus has disseminated its findings on the scandals to members of parliament. The House will decide whether to accept or reject the finding's reports on Thursday.
Sources earlier said the Pansus has drawn up a conclusion on the involvement of the Muslim cleric in the scams.
Massive protests, the biggest since Wahid took office in October 1999, took place in front of the parliament early this week demanding public accountability of the president in the scandals if he was found involved in the affairs. Protesters, mostly students, also demanded more political reforms in the country. Seven persons including two policemen were injured when a clash broke out. Political tension has been arising since then.
But Witoelar said that the tension would die down "if all parties concerned stand united and meet each other (to seek solution)," Witoelar said referring to the breakfast gathering.
Talking to reporters after the gathering, the president stressed he was supported by Megawati and the military. "There is no problem," he said.
Sources quoted the Pansus findings as saying that the incumbent president played a role in the withdrawal of 35 billion rupiah (US$3.3 million) of the State Logistic Agency (Bulog) funds locally so called Buloggate. They added that Wahid has misused a 2 million U.S. dollar donation of Sultan Hasanah Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam.
If the factions in the House accept the report, the legislative body would send a memorandum that would likely clear the way for the MPR's (the country's highest law-making body) special session in which Wahid might be impeached.
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