Word: megawati
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...TIME: Does this mean you'll send more troops to these regions or will you take a different approach? Megawati: As the chairman of the Democratic Party for Struggle, I have a standing instruction not to use violence. I always stress three points: the democratic mechanism, constitutional process and non-violence. The party has experienced extremely bitter times and violence such as the incident of July 27, 1996. The problems of Aceh and Irian Jaya are being addressed by government regulations and presidential instructions...
...TIME: Some commentators suggest that you will be more inclined than Wahid to use the military and more repressive means to settle conflicts in restive regions such as Aceh and Irian Jaya. Is this your plan? Megawati: (Laughs.) The media may say this but I have had a bitter experience with violence. My whole family experienced it. We have laws and the 1945 Constitution, which makes it obligatory for me to preserve the unity of this country...
...TIME: Why was it more important for you to make this trip and not join the fifth anniversary commemoration of the July 27 incident in Jakarta? Megawati: That was a critical moment for my party, but now I have to look at all aspects of this country and its future. I'm still the party chairman but my obligation now is to serve, process and prioritize the tasks of running Indonesia...
...TIME: How will your administration differ from former President Abdurrahman Wahid's? Megawati: It was (Wahid) who was more inclined to causing problems than his government...
...TIME: Will your Vice President have the same degree of power you had in that job? Megawati: There are already regulations that state that the Vice President is supposed to be the President's assistant. But there will be a difference. The last annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly resulted in a presidential decree that handed more responsibility to the Vice President because of (Wahid's) shortcomings. That decree will be revoked and those tasks returned to the hands of the President...