Jayapura, NU Online
Former President Abdurrahman ’Gus Dur’ Wahid said people should not stage a protest against the upcoming visit of US President George W. Bush to Indonesia in the name of Indonesian Muslims.

"They hold demonstrations on behalf of the Muslim people, while  the majority of them do not have a grudge (against the visit)," Gus Dur said here Tuesday.

<>Bush is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on November 20 for talks with President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono at the presidential palace in Bogor, some 60 km south of Jakarta.

Gus Dur said it was the president’s prerogative to invite any foreign counterpart including the US president to Indonesia.

"Constitutionally, it is the president’s prerogative to invite any foreign leader," he said.

Gus Dur was here to meet the Papuan Customary Council (PAP)’s invitation and to receive an honorary plaque from a Papuan customary community.

Meanwhile Antara reported from Surabaya that East Java police would guard the border between East Java and Central Java to keep groups of people from travelling to Jakarta to stage a protest against Bush’s visit.

East Java deputy police chief Brig. Gen. Sunaryono said in Surabaya on Tuesday the groups of people who wanted to hold a demonstration against Bush’s visit may trigger violence and riots.

Many groups launched a protest against Bush’s visit in the name of the Islamic community. (ant/rif)