Journalists irked by tardy texts

Journalists irked by tardy texts

JAKARTA (JP): The much-criticized bureaucratic protocol in the
past is still very much alive, at least according to journalists.

Members of the media upset by the fact that until Monday
afternoon palace officials were still unable to provide copies of
President B.J. Habibie's speech in his own defense, one day after
the event took place.

It was the second time that the journalists were angered by
the late distribution of copies of presidential speech. They were
similarly put out when Habibie addressed the Assembly last
Thursday.

"You can say whatever you want about former president
Soeharto, but at least he always gave us the copy of his speech
prior to his address," a journalist scolded a confused palace
media officer.

Copies of the speech were only available to Assembly members
on Monday evening. In the absence of the copies, the Assembly
members were forced to concentrate hard on the President's speech
earlier in that day.

"By not delivering the speech material to the legislators, the
President apparently wanted all legislators to listen to him,"
said the official. (prb)