Wahid calls for calm

Supporters of Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid have been flocking to Jakarta ahead of Monday's parliamentary vote

In this story: Cabinet plea Prayer rally Special protection RELATED STORIES, SITES

By staff and wire reports

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesia's embattled President Abdurrahman Wahid has called for calm ahead of a Monday parliamentary meeting that is almost certain to end in him facing a second censure motion.

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He made the plea in a speech broadcast on national television read by his official spokesperson, Wimar Witoelar, in the presence of top government officials.

	MESSAGE BOARD
Troubles in Indonesia

Wahid himself could not deliver the written address because he is nearly blind.

Monday's expected vote in favor of issuing a second motion of censure would pave the way for parliament to begin impeachment proceedings -- a move that observers warn could trigger violence between Wahid supporters and opponents.

QUOTE "Don't be too hasty in judging me and then trying to oust me" - President Abdurrahman Wahid

In his speech Wahid asked to be forgiven for his mistakes and warned that dumping him would not solve the nation's deep economic and political crises

"Don't be too hasty in judging me and then trying to oust me," Wahid's address said. "If I am found to have done something wrong, then I ask ... to be forgiven,"

Wahid said Indonesia had been on "on the brink of collapse" in October 1999 when he became its first freely elected leader after decades of authoritarian rule under former president Suharto.

"Even if this state replaces its president 100 times, there is no one who can solve its problems quickly," he said, suggesting that the nation's constitution needed overhauling.

He pleaded for the people of Indonesia to give him a chance, and not attempt to oust him by "seeking faults."

He said now that he was president he was doing his best to serve Indonesia and was determined to stay in office.

Cabinet plea

Wahid made his speech after his cabinet made a last ditch appeal to lawmakers not to censure the president a second time, because they fear it may trigger violent protests.

Tens of thousands of police will be deployed on the streets of Jakarta in the event of clashes

Justice Minister Baharadun Lopa told reporters after meeting parliamentary speaker Akbar Tandjung that "the cabinet wants peace".

"The cabinet asked parliament not to issue the second censure. The cabinet is very concerned about how the situation is developing now," Lopa said.

With thousands of Wahid supporters reported to be heading for the capital this weekend police chiefs have warned they are ready to shoot any troublemakers.

Wahid has already been censured once for his role in two financial scandals, and a second censure motion would take him closer to impeachment after just 17 months in office.

Wahid has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in two corruption scandals worth about $6 million, saying that political rivals have manufactured the charges against him to push him from power.

Prayer rally

On Sunday thousands of Wahid supporters -- many from his home province East Java -- are expected to attend a prayer-rally organized by the 40-million strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organization, a body once led by Wahid.

NU officials said they expected between 200,000 to 400,000 people would attend the rally.

Some of them are die-hard supporters who have joined suicide squads and pledged their lives to defend the president.

With tensions high in Jakarta police have deployed extra personnel to protect foreign embassies fearing they may be targeted should clashes break out.

A police spokesman said embassies and offices of international organizations were receiving special protection in case riots broke out in the streets leading up to, or following, Monday's parliamentary session.

"We have deployed extra personnel to protect all embassies here, and also offices of international organizations such as the U.N.," said Anton Bahrul Alam, Jakarta police spokesman, on Friday.

"We don't want them to be nervous, or panic and leave Indonesia. It would be embarrassing for us and would worsen our country's already bad image."

Special protection

The official Antara news agency said that embassies, including the United States, Britain, Canada and the Netherlands, had requested special protection as the political heat mounted.

Spokesmen from the Netherlands, British, and Canadian embassies said they have issued advisories to their citizens in Indonesia, but denied reports that the diplomatic missions have sought police protection.

"We haven't asked for any special protection," said Lance Abbott of the Canadian Embassy, adding the embassy is closely monitoring the situation.

The U.S. Embassy refused to deny or confirm the special security request, but it said: "This embassy is in close communication with Indonesian police and security forces about proper measures in days ahead of parliamentary session on Monday."

The Australian Embassy, which was targeted by ultra-nationalist demonstrators protesting the country's interference in East Timor independence, also said they were not seeking extra protection.

"We aren't expecting protesters wouldn't target expatriates, but it is possible that they could be caught up in an undesirable situation," said Kirk Coningham, spokesman for the Australian Embassy.

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