SBY fields a full team for U.S. outing

Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, St. Louis, Missouri

To make his six-day diplomatic mission in New York a success, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono brings with him not only senior advisors like former chief economic minister Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, but also his personal masseuse, Lai Teng Piauw.

Dorodjatun, who says he enjoys his return to the University of Indonesia's School of Economics after serving as coordinating minister for the economy in the previous government, was present when the President held a limited Cabinet meeting by video conference from his hotel here. Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Dorodjatun's successor Aburizal Bakrie, Bank Indonesia Governor Burhanuddin Abdullah were in Jakarta. Aburizal is scheduled to join the President later in New York.

In his opening remarks, the President said: "Bapak Vice President if you see my eyes turn red, it is not because I am angry, but just because of jet leg."

Dorodjatun said he flew to the U.S. with the President in his capacity as a member of an advisory team for UN reform. His presence however sparked speculation among delegates that the President was not satisfied with his Cabinet's performance and planned to reshuffle it next month. Dorodjatun was Susilo's colleague in the Cabinet of Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The bald masseuse, meanwhile, proved his skills to several passengers who flew with the President from Jakarta.

"Megawati also often brought her private cook when traveling," said one of the passengers.

Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" also employed a personal masseuse, Suwondo. Gus Dur dismissed him in 2000 for his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal involving the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

Accompanied by First Lady Kristiani Herawati and their youngest son Edhie Baskara, the President arrived in St. Louis for acclimatization, and also to receive a honorary degree of law from Webster University on Monday. He earned a master's degree in 1991 at the Military Academy at Forth Leavenworth, Kansas, and trained at the 82nd Airborne Division at Forg Bragg.

On Monday Susilo flew to Kansas to have his name immortalized at the International Hall of Fame at the Military Academy in Leavenworth.

From Wednesday until Saturday, the President will attend the UN Summit in New York, meet other leaders including British Prime Minister Tony Blair and new World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz. He is also scheduled to receive top executives of several multinational corporations including General Electric. Other agenda items include a public lecture at Columbia University.

Palace officials offered him a visit to Broadway for leisure time. However, the President declined, apparently fearing that such a visit might provide ammunition for his critics.

Citing more urgent agendas at home, Susilo has canceled his scheduled visit to the Middle East. He will arrive in Jakarta next Monday.