GOLKAR, PDIP REACH AGREEMENT: KALLA

Jakarta, April 24 (ANTARA) - The Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) have reached agreement to continue stronger relations in the face of the upcoming presidential race and for a strong government, Golkar General Chairman Jusuf Kalla said.

"The meeting with the PDIP chief patron and other PDIP executives was held in the framework of consolidating future relations for the establishment of a strong government," Kalla said after the meeting here on Thursday night.
He said that the two parties agreed to continue increasing relations and on Friday night the general chairman of Golkar and PDIP leader Megawati Soekarnoputri were scheduled to meet to discuss the agreement further.
Kalla said that the aim of the cooperation, no matter what form it would be, coalition or not, was to build a strong government for unity and integrity of the nation.
In the meantime, PDIP chief patron Taufik Kiemas expressed happiness for being able to meet Golkar executives and the general chairman during the meeting.
"Tomorrow night we will accompany the Golkar general chairman to meet and talk from heart-to-heart to the PDIP general chairwoman in order to discuss the nation's problem and its settlement as soon as possible," Kiemas said.
On Wednesday, Golkar executive board decided to terminate its
political communications with the Democratic Party (PD)after both parties failed to yield any accord towards a coalition.
"After a week of intensive political communications on continuing the SBY-JK government between Golkar and PD, the two parties have not been able to find a meeting point to from a coalition," Golkar Secretary General Sumarsono said on Wednesday.
At its special national leadership meeting here on Thursday, the Golkar Party decided to name Jusuf Kalla as its presidential candidate who will contest the July 8 election.