Mega conducts final checks on summit preparations

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

President Megawati Soekarnoputri cast her eye over preparations for the ninth Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here on Friday to ensure the huge event runs as planned.

Arriving from Jakarta on a special presidential flight, Megawati went straight to a small meeting in the VIP room of the Ngurah Rai airport to hear the final report from Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and State Secretary Bambang Kesowo.

After the meeting, the President inspected the preparations at the Tampak Siring Presidential Palace, the venue for next Tuesday's state dinner for heads of ASEAN and dialog partner countries.

The Palace, built by Megawati's father, founding president Sukarno, has been fully renovated for the event and also to host a possible four-hour visit by United States President George W. Bush on Oct. 22.

Megawati was carefully looking into preparations at the venue, especially regarding security measures, food to be served and decorations for the room.

The President also inspected the general rehearsal of the opening of the summit on Tuesday at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC).

Indonesia hosted ASEAN's first informal Summit in Jakarta in 1997. ASEAN leaders last year warmly welcomed the President's plan to host the summit in Bali, as a demonstration of their support for Indonesia after the terrorist attacks on Oct. 12 last year, which claimed more than 200 lives.

On the sidelines of the Summit, Megawati will hold bilateral talks with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Indian Prime Minister Atal Beehari Vajpayee, Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyut and Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

The Bali summit will be the first overseas trip for Jiabao since he was elected Prime Minister late last year.

Meanwhile, Megawati will also host a grand farewell dinner for Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who recently announced he will retire.

The President will stay on the resort island until Oct. 11 as she also plans to take the opportunity to have a family vacation, including with her five grandchildren.