Susilo's first speech delivered at Palace

Prior to his inauguration President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono must have expected that he would deliver his inaugural speech before members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and scores of foreign leaders who attended his swearing-in ceremony.

Learning that the outgoing president Megawati Soekarnoputri would not attend the ceremony, political factions at the Assembly then decided that Susilo would not be allotted time to deliver an address.

Assembly Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid argued that Susilo was directly elected by the people, therefore, did not have to address members of the MPR.

Susilo finally delivered his much-anticipated speech later in the afternoon at the State Palace before journalists from local and foreign media, who were sitting or standing on the carpet.

"I had prepared this speech to be read after my inauguration, according to political tradition ... But I deferred because I honor the decision made by the People's Consultative Assembly," Susilo said before delivering his maiden speech.

Susilo apparently made a slight change in the draft of his speech, as it said "my fellow countrymen", instead of "Assembly members" and "honorary guests". -- JP