Wahid stands by 'emergency' threat

There are growing fears of violence on the streets of Jakarta

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid is standing by his threat to call a state of emergency on Friday if the country's top legislature continues moves to impeach him.

Wahid said such a measure would not be implemented until the end of the month as he seeks to reach a political compromise with his critics to avoid impeachment.

"On the 20th I will still announce the emergency if there is no compromise at that time," Wahid said in Jakarta. "But it will be enacted on [July] 31st. This will give us eleven additional days to reach agreement."

A compromise seems unlikely after a senior lawmaker in the party of Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri -- Wahid's main rival and likely successor -- said a last minute deal would not be possible.

"I can guarantee that Wahid will be removed from office," Sophan Sophian said.

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This contrasts with the comments from Wahid's presidential spokesman, Adhi Massardi who said a declaration of emergency was unlikely as an accord appeared within reach, Antara reported.

Situation 'under control'

Wahid is due to face impeachment hearings on August 1 on charges of incompetence and allegations of involvement in two financial scandals.

If the embattled president proceeds with his state of emergency threat, parliamentary leaders warn they will launch impeachment proceedings immediately.

Police and military chiefs, as well as key Cabinet members, have said they would not support a declaration of emergency, which would enable Wahid to shut down the assembly and call early elections.

There were also concerns the Indonesian military might intervene should the political vacuum threaten stability in the country. However, a senior defense force official told CNN, the military will not act outside the law to solve the crisis.

"The action the Indonesian defense force will take will always be based on the authority given by the law and the constitution," Gen. Agus Widjojo, Chief of Staff of Territorial Affairs said.

"The Indonesian defense force will never take any action that steps beyond the boundary of authority as stipulated by the constitution."

Fears of violence

The military is increasing its presence in and around Jakarta, as troops braced for civil violence ahead of Friday's expected political showdown between the president and the country's top legislature.

Some 6,000 soldiers have been deployed to guard the parliament building amid fears of violence on the streets of Jakarta where thousands of Wahid supporters have vowed to defend the president with their lives.

On Tuesday more than 1,500 troops in the town of Tangerang, just west of Jakarta, staged a simulated evacuation of assembly members in case of violence at the impeachment session.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.