Mega breaks Marriott

Mega breaks Marriott
silence, kind of

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has finally spoken publicly
about Tuesday's suicide attack on the JW Marriott Hotel in
Jakarta -- but only briefly and only after last minute panic from
foreign ministry staff.

Just minutes before President Megawati Soekarnoputri was due
to read a prepared speech at the 36th anniversary of the
Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) at the ASEAN
Secretariat in South Jakarta on Friday, officials realized it
failed to mention the attack.

Foreign ministry officials scribbled two paragraphs about the
Marriott bombing on a separate sheet of paper, while Minister of
Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda informed Megawati about the
additional statement.

In the end, Megawati did not read the prepared paragraphs but
managed to add a few words to update her speech.

And the reference: "... and a few days ago at the Marriott
Hotel Jakarta."

In keeping with her reticent style, and as she did after last
year's Bali bombings, Megawati has kept to the sidelines
following the latest attack in the Marriott Hotel Jakarta and has
left senior security officials to do the talking. -- JP