President Abdurrahman Wahid hopes to meet with his major political rivals over the weekend in a last-ditch effort to persuade them not to begin impeachment proceedings against him, a spokesman said on Friday. However, the proposed meeting looked in doubt as officials from major political parties said that they have not been invited yet and may not attend.
In another political development, Wahid installed former attorney general Marzuki Darusman as his new cabinet secretary. Darusman - a member of the Golkar party which is leading the impeachment drive - was fired on June 1 amid a major cabinet reshuffle. The position of cabinet secretary holds little power but functions as a close aide to the President. Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung later denied that speculation of the appointment was part of a political deal by Wahid to give Golkar more say in the running of the government.
Hostile lawmakers have summoned Wahid to appear before the National Assembly on August 1 to face allegations of corruption and incompetence during his 20-month administration.
Wahid, who denies any wrongdoing, has been desperately trying to negotiate a deal with legislators, most of whom say they will vote him out of office during the impeachment hearings and replace him with his popular deputy Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Bureau Report