Gus Dur's right eye in 'excellent condition'<\/p>\n
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (JP): Doctors in the United States
\ndeclared on Friday (local time) that President Abdurrahman
\nWahid's right eye is in excellent condition, but indicated his
\nvision is not likely to fully recover.<\/p>\n
Randal J. Olson, director of the John A. Moran Eye Center at
\nthe University of Utah, said the President's vision was actually
\nbetter than it was before and there is no need for any additional
\nsurgery.<\/p>\n
\"We see no reason for any concern about the stability of his
\nvision or his health; he really seems to be doing extremely
\nwell,\" Olson, a cornea specialist, told a news conference at the
\neye center.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman underwent a two-hour eye check up at the center on
\nFriday afternoon.<\/p>\n
\"We think that his clear cornea is the reason why he is seeing
\nbetter, he can see more colors, he can see more form and he can
\nrecognize things better,\" Olson added.<\/p>\n
He admitted, however, that doctors did not expect any
\nsignificant improvement in Abdurrahman's vision.<\/p>\n
\"I know that there is always room for a miracle and other
\nthings, but medically speaking, I think the vision he has now is
\nall that he is going to have,\" Olson said.<\/p>\n
When asked whether technological devices could help improve
\nAbdurrahman's vision, Olson replied: \"Artificial vision is
\ncertainly a possibility in the future but it will be a long time
\nbefore it is better than what we have now\".<\/p>\n
He said that throughout the eye treatment, \"President Wahid
\ncontinues to have a great sense of humor and I found that he and
\nI both like Linda Rondstadt's music\".<\/p>\n
Olson recommended Abdurrahman return for further observation
\nand possible treatment within six to eight months.<\/p>\n
He also announced that a new ophthalmology cooperation between
\nthe Moran Eye Center and Indonesia has been initiated.<\/p>\n
\"The first part of the program will be my visit to Indonesia,
\nwithin one month and I am going to visit all of the major
\nophthalmology programs there and we are specifically going to
\nlook at what we can do to help Indonesia to bring its eye care to
\na world class level,\" he said.<\/p>\n
After a checkup last year, doctors here said in November that
\nAbdurrahman's vision in his left eye was permanently impaired due
\nto the combined effects of diabetes and high-blood pressure.<\/p>\n
Vision through the right eye was said to be about 20 percent.<\/p>\n
Clinton<\/p>\n
During Friday's checkup, the American doctors were accompanied
\nby several Indonesian doctors, including neurologist Jusuf
\nMisbach and Abdurrahman's younger brother, Umar Wahid.<\/p>\n
First Lady Sinta Nuriyah and their daughter Zannuba Arifah
\n\"Yenny\" Chafsoh Rahman were also present.<\/p>\n
In a late breaking development before leaving Salt Lake City,
\nForeign Minister Alwi Shihab said there was a likelihood that
\nAbdurrahman might be meeting with U.S. President Bill Clinton.<\/p>\n
\"We have received a signal that Clinton would like to meet
\nwith Gus Dur on Monday in Washington,\" he told journalists on the
\nway to the airport.<\/p>\n
\"But there's no confirmation yet,\" he added.<\/p>\n
If the meeting does take place it will have to be squeezed in
\nbetween the president's visit to Baltimore and New York.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman and Clinton also met last year when the Indonesian
\npresident went for a medical checkup.<\/p>\n
Alwi also revealed that he had been informed that U.S.
\nSecretary of State Madeleine Albright will visit Jakarta before
\nAugust.<\/p>\n
The president and his entourage in their initial schedule are
\ndue to leave for Missouri on Saturday morning to meet with a
\nnumber of senators.<\/p>\n
The president is also due to undergo another medical checkup
\nat the Wilmar Eye Center, John Hopkins University, in Baltimore
\non Sunday and Monday.<\/p>\n
In Baltimore, Abdurrahman is due to meet with the U.S. Chamber
\nof Commerce, a number of senators, congressmen and local business
\npeople.<\/p>\n
Flying a Garuda Indonesia Airbus A-330, the President left
\nJakarta on Wednesday for a two-week overseas trip.<\/p>\n
His first destination was Japan, to attend the funeral service
\nof former Japanese prime minister Keizo Obuchi.<\/p>\n
From Baltimore the president's official itinerary is to fly to
\nNew York to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
\non Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Crossing the Atlantic he will continue his trip to Paris to
\nreceive an honorary doctorate degree from Sorbonne University.<\/p>\n
His next destinations are Tehran, Islamabad, Bahrain and Oman.<\/p>\n
Before returning to Jakarta he will stay for two nights in
\nCairo to attend the G-15 summit which brings together 15 leading
\ndeveloping countries.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will host next year's summit in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The visit to Cairo will also be a homecoming for Abdurrahman
\nwho studied there in the mid-1960s.<\/p>\n
The President is scheduled to arrive home on June 21. (byg)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-durs-right-eye-in-excellent-condition-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }