Habibie visits Nasution on 1st day of Idul Fitri

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie spent the first day of Idul Fitri Muslim holiday on Tuesday receiving illustrious well- wishers, among them ministers and ambassadors, and visiting some of the country's elders, including Gen. (ret) A.H. Nasution.

His predecessor, Soeharto, in his first Idul Fitri as a private citizen in 32 years, met with relatives and neighbors at his mansion in Surakarta, Central Java.

Along with 2,000 orphans, Habibie attended the Takbiran prayer on the eve of Idul Fitri -- popularly called Lebaran -- at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Central Jakarta on Monday. After addressing about 5,000 Muslims at the mosque, he beat the traditional bedug drum.

About 100 protesters greeted the Soehartos soon after they arrived at their mansion, Dalem Kalitan, on Monday afternoon. Some of the 150-strong Soeharto entourage flew from Jakarta on a private plane.

"Bring Soeharto to court!" read one of the protesters' posters.

"Let us strengthen our self-control following the (fasting month) Ramadhan. Let us face the problems ahead of in a rational and cool manner, rather than with emotional outbursts, thinking only of groups' interests," Habibie said at Istiqlal on the eve of Idul Fitri.

On Tuesday morning, after saying their Idul Fitri prayer at the same mosque, the Habibies held a three-hour open house for well-wishers. Habibie was accompanied by his wife Hasri Ainun Besari, his two sons Ilham Akbar and Thariq Kemal, and their spouses.

Nearly all Cabinet ministers and Armed Forces top brass, including Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo H.S., were present. Habibie hugged and kissed his guests. Ilham's children, Nadia and Pasha, stood next to their grandfather as he greeted guests.

Absent was Cooordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, still in Tokyo for a bilateral discussion with Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.

Former vice president Try Sutrisno and his wife were the Habibies' last guests.

Later on Tuesday, Habibie and Ainun visited Habibie's predecessors as vice president, Gen. (ret) Umar Wirahadikusumah and Sudharmono. Habibie was vice president from last March to May. He replaced Soeharto on May 21.

Habibie also visited the residence of the country's most senior living general A.H. Nasution, and former Pertamina president Lt. Gen. (ret) Ibnu Sutowo, who in 1974, upon Soeharto's instruction, arranged for Habibie's return to Jakarta from Germany. Habibie worked for Pertamina until 1978 when he joined Soeharto's Cabinet.

Habibie listened attentively as the 80-year-old Nasution explained about his leg problem.

"This is a private visit, which he usually made, too, when he was still a minister," Nasution said afterward.

On Wednesday, the First Family visited Bandung, West Java, where Ainun's family and Habibie's widowed mother live.

Soeharto said his Idul Fitri prayer at Al Fajar Mosque next to the Kalitan mansion. He was accompanied by his sons Sigit Harjojudanto, Bambang Trihatmodjo and Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra and their spouses. His three daughters, including Siti Hedijati Herijadi Prabowo, were also present.

Her husband, Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto, implicated in the abduction of activists last year, was not seen in public.

On Thursday, the former president's family will hold a religious service in memory of Soeharto's wife, Tien, who died on April 28, 1996. The 1,000th day commemoration of her demise will fall on Thursday.

They will visit Tien's tomb at the private Giribangun cemetery compound on Friday, and say the Friday prayer before their returning to Jakarta. (prb)