Wahid fights his corner

The battle may not be over yet for Wahid (above) and his former ally Megawati

By CNN Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Call his tactics devious. Call his tactics brilliant. Adding another twist, President Abdurrahman Wahid shows he is bent on winning this battle -- although he may not have a strategy for the war.

Last week, Indonesia's President Abdurrahman Wahid said he would declare a state of emergency if legislators do not back down on their calls for impeachment, but even he was forced to concede several days later he would not have the support of the police and military.

Backed against the wall, on Wednesday Wahid claimed a compromise was in the works.

Since that was the case, he said he still planned to declare a state of emergency but that it would not take effect until July 31.

It seems like a minor technicality: the flailing tactics of a defeated man.

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But in one master stroke, Wahid postponed the public challenge to his authority by the police and military (if they decide NOT to follow the state of emergency), and he has moved the game onto the turf where he operates best: the kind of fast-paced backroom maneuverings that won him the presidency in 1999.

Back then, the sure bet was Megawati Sukarnoputri, whose party, the PDI-P, won the most number of seats in the legislature.

Faltering democracy

Largely because she refused to negotiate with other party leaders, she watched Wahid snatch the top post she believed was hers.

Now history repeats itself: party leaders furiously meeting, attempting to find a compromise, trying to find the path that would rescue this faltering democracy and give their parties the power they want for 2004 elections.

Wahid has succeeded in splintering the coalition against him which called for the special session of the assembly which would begin impeachment proceedings August 1.

By speaking with party leaders, he is again gaining credibility. They hope by negotiating with the recalcitrant leader, they can streamline the transfer of power.

Face-saving way

In effect, any agreement would leave the president with little power but give him a face-saving way out.

Again, Megawati is staying out of the fray, in the process, risking being left out of any alliance between Wahid's party, and the next two largest parties, Golkar and PPP.

Still, Megawati remains the pivotal figure. She will succeed Wahid should he be impeached, and most likely, any power-sharing compromise would give the lion's share of the powers of the executive branch to the vice-president.

Once known as the 'Dream Team" when they were elected in 1999, Wahid and Megawati have parted ways: Megawati reportedly refuses to speak with the president about political matters.

"It's obvious the vice-president is not satisfied with their relationship," says Wahid's brother, Salahudin. "We also know sometimes the president insults her."

'Clash between egos'

What's largely seen as a power struggle between Wahid and Indonesia's legislature, say some analysts, could boil down to what is increasingly becoming a personal fight between Wahid and Megawati.

"It's really a clash between two egos," says analyst Salim Said.

Still, as Wahid feints and dodges, the real figure to watch in the coming days is Megawati.

"What happens now," says Salahuddin Wahid, "and what happens at the end of this game depends on Megawati."