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Indonesia's Wahid calm coup fears unfounded

JAKARTA: The Indonesian army on Friday warned that an escalating battle-of-wills between the country's first democratically elected president and a defiant ex-military chief was becoming dangerous, but ruled out a coup.

General Wiranto has refused to bow to President Abdurrahman Wahid's demand that he quit the cabinet after being named in a report on last year's atrocities in East Timor when he was armed forces commander.

"In principle, the situation is getting more dangerous and uncertain," the official news agency Antara quoted army chief of staff General Tyasno Sudarto as telling reporters.

He said the military as an institution would not launch a coup though he added he could not supervise each officer.

Wahid, who is on a European tour, said he was confident that fears of a coup were unfounded but ducked a question about whether he certain Wiranto would resign.

"In Indonesia, the power lies with the people," he told reporters in Rome after meeting Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema.

"Despite all that has been said by the international press and the domestic press that there is a challenge maybe the possibility of a coup d'etat.I don't see it in that way because our armed forces have a different tradition.

"They have a tradition of loyalty to the government. Because of this I am not afraid and the fact that I leave the country in this situation means I am confident enough we will be safe. I hope at least this belief will be proven," he said.

D'Alema said anyone threatening the legitimate, elected government of Indonesia "would pay the highest price of isolation and rejection by the international community".

Wahid was due to have an audience with Pope John Paul on Saturday morning and to meet the Roman Catholic peace group, the Sant'Egidio Community.

A defiant Wiranto appears ready to hang on to his post as coordinating minister for political and security affairs until Wahid returns to Indonesia on February 13. Wahid said this week he wanted Wiranto to resign before he returned home.

Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono said earlier he had formally asked Wiranto to comply with Wahid's order to quit, adding that the general had not replied.

"We have agreed to wait until the president returns," Juwono said, without explaining. "I urge everyone to be patient."

But military spokesman Air Vice-Marshall Graito Usodo played down coup fears.

"I don't think it's dangerous," he said. "In fact, I can give you a guarantee that while.Wahid is away there will be no coup, or any sort of trouble.

"The TNI (Indonesia's military) as an institution or as individuals will not launch a coup. I can assure you of that."

A face-to-face showdown is likely to be damaging to Wahid as he tries to cement his own fragile position and keep the lid on a fractious military angry at efforts to get it out of politics.

"It's not that he can't fire Wiranto, but he doesn't want to expend political capital," said political analyst Wimar Witoelar.

The president's order to Wiranto shook the country, sparking fears it could trigger a coup and topple Wahid after just three months in office. The stand-off has also rattled financial markets, driving the rupiah to a three-month low.

Although Wiranto refused to budge, many analysts said the once-powerful general's days in politics appear to be numbered.

Wiranto has denied any wrongdoing and has made no public comment or appearance since a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

U.N. investigators in East Timor said on Friday they believed Indonesian soldiers and police were involved in the massacre of more than 50 East Timorese men in the bloody days after the territory voted for independence on August 30.

The slayings, in which the men were hacked and beaten to death at Passabe in the East Timorese enclave of Oecussi, is the worst uncovered so far since U.N.-mandated troops moved into the territory in September to restore peace.

Analysts say that while the military is unhappy with Wiranto's treatment, it lacks the strength or will to launch a coup and Wiranto's stand is a bid to put pressure on Wahid to give him immunity from prosecution in return for a peaceful departure.

"He wants to make a point...and he wants to cut a deal," said a Jakarta-based Western diplomat. "But he will go."-Reuters