Wahid expects to be impeached

Wahid expects to be impeached but would not quit his elected post

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid has said he expects to be impeached over two financial scandals but if that happened he would contest the presidency in 2004.

Wahid also said he would not quit as Indonesia's first democratically-elected leader, setting the stage for a bruising showdown over the Muslim cleric's political future.

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At a seminar in the presidential palace, Wahid said for first time he expected to lose his job.

"If a special session is held and I am impeached, then go ahead I am not scared," he told members of a military think-tank, Associated Press reported.

"If that happens, I will campaign again in the next election to become president," he said.

"I will campaign continuously. This is a pledge from a citizen who is going to be impeached."

Wahid has denied any wrongdoing and accused lawmakers of "committing a huge violation" of the constitution by demanding his impeachment.

He said he would not resign because six provinces would break away and Indonesia would disintegrate.

Leading politicians have said Wahid is heading towards an impeachment hearing, expected by August, over the two scandals following two censures by parliament.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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