Megawati may attend Susilo's inauguration

Megawati may attend Susilo's inauguration

Kurniawan Hari and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Departing President Megawati Soekarnoputri has yet to
congratulate president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, but
relations between the two are cordial enough that it appears
Megawati will attend the swearing-in ceremony of her former
security minister.

People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid said
on Friday his office had sent an invitation to Megawati for the
swearing-in ceremony on Oct. 20.

"We sent an invitation to Ibu Megawati on Thursday," Hidayat
said.

However, an official at the Presidential Palace said an
invitation to the ceremony had been received last week. Another
source confirmed the President would likely attend the event at
the Assembly. Several foreign leaders are also expected at the
ceremony.

Megawati's willingness to accept the invitation shows she is a
"stateswoman", Hidayat said.

The President has been roundly criticized for her refusal to
congratulate Susilo on his election victory, or to meet with him
to help ensure a smooth transfer of power. However, she has
ordered all of her ministers to prepare reports that will be
given to their successors. The new Cabinet is also scheduled to
be sworn in on Oct. 20.

Hidayat said that during the ceremony Megawati would sit next
to Susilo, beside the Assembly leaders. Outgoing Vice President
Hamzah Haz and vice president-elect Jusuf Kalla are also to
attend the ceremony.

Hidayat said it would be "respectful" for Megawati to attend
the inauguration of Susilo.

This tradition began in 1999, when outgoing president B.J.
Habibie attended the inauguration of Abdurrahman Wahid as the
country's fourth president.

Invitations to the ceremony for foreign dignitaries are being
organized by the Assembly, not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said.

Marty also confirmed on Friday that Australian Prime Minister
John Howard and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
would attend the inauguration.

"We appreciate and welcome their initiative to attend the
ceremony," he said. He said Japan would also send a special envoy
to the inauguration.

Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri of East Timor, whose separation
from Indonesia in 1999 was marked by bloodshed, has also
confirmed his attendance.

The Assembly's secretariat is coordinating with the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and the National Police on protocol and
security for the ceremony.

Megawati's running mate in the presidential election, Hasyim
Muzadi, said he would attend the inauguration if he was invited
by the Assembly.

When asked about a possible meeting between Susilo and
Megawati, Hasyim said: "As far as I know there has yet to be any
invitation from Susilo to meet with Megawati. I think it would be
better if the winner took the initiative to invite his
predecessor."