President Wahid challenges his critics

The president of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, has challenged politicians who have called for his resignation to proceed with their attempt to impeach him.

The speaker of Indonesia's highest legislative body, the National Assembly, Amien Rais, has said President Wahid should resign, following his failure to solve the problems that have afflicted the country, including ethnic violence and corruption.

President Wahid responded by saying that his critics should call a special session of parliament, and mentioned that he had never wanted to be president anyway.

He said his critics were ignoring the achievements of his first year in office. President Wahid has also been attacked over his alleged involvement in a financial scandal, involving the embezzlement of four million dollars from the state logistics agency, Bulog.

The Indonesian police have since cleared him of involvement in the scandal.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service