Habibie and Tutut skip official dinner

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)