Soeharto off to Europe for checkup

Soeharto off to Europe for checkup

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto left for an undisclosed
European country last night for a routine medical checkup.

Seeing off the President were Minister/State Secretary
Moerdiono, Minister/Cabinet Secretary Saadilah Mursyid and
Jakarta military commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso.

He was accompanied by four of his six children: Siti
Hardijanti Rukmana, Sigit Hardjojudanto, Siti Hediati Prabowo and
Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih, Antara reported.

Soeharto's third son, Bambang Trihatmodjo, was seen among the
few close relatives and officials escorting the President, while
his youngest son, Hutomo Mandala Putra, was not present.

As the Garuda Indonesia Airways' MD-11 airplane that carried
the President took off at 9:13 p.m., there remained no official
statement as to the country of destination.

Foreign news agencies reported over the weekend that the
President went to Frankfurt, Germany, for examination of heart
and liver problems.

The President, who performed no official duties on Saturday,
played a two hour, nine-hole golf round in the morning, the
Republika daily said.

Meanwhile, the Jawa Pos newspaper quoted Indonesian timber
tycoon Mohammed `Bob' Hasan, who played golf with the President,
as saying Soeharto looked healthy and "really enjoyed the golf
game".

Moerdiono said on Friday that the President would go to Europe
for medical examinations, while stressing that he was in "good
health." No official statement has been made since then.

In August 1994, Soeharto underwent a number of medical tests
at the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital, where it was discovered he
had kidney stones. The doctors later gave him a clean bill of
health.

Moerdiono had said that only a small staff entourage would
accompany Soeharto and that no ministers would be included.

He also said he could not determine when the President would
arrive back in Indonesia. (imn)