Wahid's dilemma

However daunting the problems facing President Abdurrahman Wahid now that at least 600,000 Acehnese have backed the call for a referendum on the province's future, it is abundantly clear that the new regime has already altered the face of Indonesian politics.

Weeks ago, a rally of any size that represented opposition to the central authority would have been crushed. Yesterday not one uniform was in sight. But peace on the streets does not mean the threat to unity has receded. Mr Wahid knows Aceh is the greatest challenge to his authority. He must find a formula to bridge the gap between the growing call for independence and his need to hold the country together.

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