Mandela kisses Megawati after calling her father Soeharto

Mandela kisses Megawati after calling her father Soeharto

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri (left) receives a warm kiss on
the cheek from former South African president Nelson Mandela
after the two held talks at the State Palace on Wednesday.

During the impromptu press briefing inside the palace, Mandela
said that he came to see Megawati to get her support for his
foundation which focused on health, education and conflict
resolution.

He also reminisced about meeting Megawati for the first time
in Jakarta in 1990, despite warnings that it would create
problems with then president Soeharto.

A slight hiccup occurred when Mandela mistakenly named
Soeharto as Megawati's father. Though Megawati corrected Mandela
by pointing out her father was Sukarno, Indonesia's founding
president, the respected world leader called Megawati's father
Soeharto for a second time.

During the press briefing, Megawati held Mandela's hand as the
senior statesman had to use cane to walk.

Mandela is on his four-day visit to Indonesia, which officials
describe as private. He is slated to depart Jakarta on Thursday
evening.