President's report to MPR finalized, approved by Gus Dur<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Aides to President Abdurrahman Wahid said the
\npresidential annual report to the People's Consultative Assembly
\nhas been finalized and will be read on Monday by Vice President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
Minister of Mines and Energy Lt. Gen. (ret.) Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono disclosed on Friday that the President, after intensive
\nconsultation with Megawati, has approved the final draft.<\/p>\n
The final discussions on it were reportedly held between
\nAbdurrahman, Megawati and Susilo at Merdeka Palace on Thursday
\nevening.<\/p>\n
The speech itself was prepared by a special team, which was
\ncomprised of several experts and officials including Susilo,
\nafter receiving reports from all ministers and heads of related
\nstate agencies.<\/p>\n
But Susilo was vague on the contents of the speech.<\/p>\n
"The content of the speech is in line with the main agenda and
\npriorities of the government over the last 10 months. The
\ncritical issues we are facing, what we have achieved and what we
\nmust still continue to do in the next year," the minister said
\nafter meeting with the President at Merdeka Palace on Friday.<\/p>\n
Susilo said the written speech would outline the Cabinet's
\nfundamental achievements since October and detail its targets
\nover the next year.<\/p>\n
"The President himself will convey an opening remark and in
\nhis oral commentary the President of course will select what is
\nmost essential to be conveyed directly to the Assembly and to the
\npeople," Susilo said.<\/p>\n
According to Susilo the President had agreed to avoid
\nspecific details and just touch on general affairs to avoid
\nunnecessary controversy.<\/p>\n
Megawati is expected to need about one-hour to read the
\nspeech.<\/p>\n
The presidential progress report will mark the opening, and
\nprobably the highlight, of the Assembly's 10-day session. The 11
\nfactions in the Assembly will convey on Tuesday their official
\ncomments on the President's report.<\/p>\n
Birthday<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, on Friday morning the First Family went to Cipanas
\nPresidential Palace, about 75-kilometers south of here, to
\ncelebrate the President's 60th birthday.<\/p>\n
"We chose Cipanas just to avoid too many guests coming because
\nthis is only a simple thanksgiving party," said the President.<\/p>\n
Assisted by their four daughters, First Lady Sinta Nuriyah led
\nthe ceremony, which was attended by close relatives, family
\nfriends, and some Cabinet members.<\/p>\n
The guests included Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab,
\nMuhammdiyah executive Malik Fadjar, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman
\nHasyim Muzadi, State Minister of Research and Technology A.S.
\nHikam and Jakarta Bishop Cardinal Julius Darmoatmodjo.<\/p>\n
The main menu, included deer satay, and traditional Sundanese
\nfood.<\/p>\n
Wahyu Muryadi, head of the presidential protocol bureau, said
\nMegawati could not come as scheduled due to her tight schedule.<\/p>\n
"Ibu Mega is quite busy today," Wahyu explained.<\/p>\n
In the evening the President watched a wayang kulit (shadow
\npuppet) show at the Jakarta Playhouse, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The show was sponsored by Nina Akbar, the wife of the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung.<\/p>\n
The President had earlier in the afternoon been scheduled to
\nmeet with representatives of the Papuan Presidium Council.<\/p>\n
However, according to Presidential Press Bureau Chief
\nDharmawan Ronodipuro, the Papuan leaders unilaterally canceled
\nthe meeting without an official reason.<\/p>\n
"They just said they could not come without any explanation,"
\nsaid Dharmawan.(prb\/byg)<\/p>",
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