Habibie and Tutut skip official dinner

JAKARTA (JP): Former president B.J. Habibie and Siti Hardiyanti "Tutut" Rukmana did not show up for dinner at the State Guest House on Thursday evening, having been invited by President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Palace officials who announced the sudden cancellation of the dinner said Habibie was away on a private visit while Tutut, who was to attend on behalf of her ailing father former president Soeharto, declined without a clear explanation.

According to officials the two only informed the President of their impending absence just an hour before the 7 p.m. dinner. People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Amien Rais and House of Representatives (DPR) speaker Akbar Tandjung were also invited.

The president held the meeting with the intent of bridging differences between political elites of the past regime and the current government.

Abdurrahman has been staying at the State Guest House since his election as the country's leader last week.

He is scheduled to move to his official residence at the Merdeka Palace next week.

Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri will also move to her official residence at Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta. (prb)