Govt covers Gus Dur's U.S. trip expenses

JAKARTA (JP): The new government of President Megawati Soekarnoputri has approved and funded the visit of her predecessor Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid to the United States, an official said on Sunday.

A media official at the state secretariat, Indrawadi Tamin, said in a statement that the government was covering air fares and accommodation of the former president and his entourage as well as his medical expenses at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

"The financial assistance was disbursed after prior approval of President Megawati Soekarnoputri," the statement said.

The media release was responding to a statement made by head of presidential protocol affairs Wahyu Muryadi who complained that the government had not assisted in Abdurrahman's U.S. trip. Wahyu is among the former president's 13-strong entourage, which also includes Abdurrahman's wife Sinta Nuriyah and two of their daughters.

Abdurrahman was ousted in a snap Special Session of People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) last Monday, clearing the way for his deputy Megawati to take over. The two have not met since.

Departing on Thursday, Abdurrahman arrived in Baltimore for the medical checkup on Friday (Saturday Indonesia time).

In an interview with Antara ahead of his checkup, Abdurrahman insisted that the MPR Special Session and its results were unlawful, but wished Megawati success.

He said he was not disappointed with Megawati's decision to accept the MPR's offer.

"I was just shocked," Abdurrahman said.

A group of Indonesian citizens visited the former president at his room at Harbor Court Hotel.

The medical checkup will be conducted on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, the former president will fly back to Jakarta and will head for his private residence in Ciganjur upon arrival.

One of Abdurrahman's daughters, Zannuba Arifah Chafsoh Rahman, said that during her stay in Baltimore she had bought a lot of books, mostly on history and politics, for her father. (amd)