SBY fields a full team for U.S. outing

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.