Earlier, Wahid had confidently declared that the Aceh problem would be resolved by March. For a while, rumors circulated of an impending military takeover of government. But the top brass denied any such plot. Wiranto asserted that he would have already seized power if he had wanted to. If the army had ill intentions, there were opportunities.
Informed observers think an outright coup is unlikely.
For one thing, the military itself is divided between reformists and hardliners. Also, the generals have been anxious to maintain an appearance of legitimacy - something that would go up in smoke if a putsch were to take place. And that is perhaps Wahid's biggest trump card. He has no lack of critics. Some accuse him of being too slow in making decisions.