Try keeps lid on vice presidency

Try keeps lid on vice presidency

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno just smiled
yesterday when journalists tried to coax statements out of him
about the possibility of him being reelected the second most
senior official in the administration.

Try met yesterday with President Soeharto at the Bina Graha
presidential office. It was his second visit to Soeharto's office
in the past several weeks.

Before he met Soeharto, Try unexpectedly entered the press
room, adjacent to President Soeharto's working room.

"This is a nostalgic visit for me," said Try, who celebrates
his 62nd birthday today.

Try is familiar with the press room. He used to chat with
journalists there while serving as Soeharto's adjutant from 1974
to 1978.

Try was coy on the vice presidency saying, "I just want to
give a brotherly statement". He did not elaborate.

Since becoming vice president in 1993 he has rarely given
statements to the press but remains amiable toward them.

During the press meeting, the retired Army general drew
attention to the photos of Soeharto and himself on the wall.

Pointing to Soeharto's picture, a journalist joked about the
vice presidency saying, "Many people are already queuing for the
(vice presidential) position".

"No comment. I am afraid you will make news about this," he
said smiling. After a 15-minute meeting with Soeharto the two
leaders walked to Baiturrahim Mosque inside the palace compound
for Friday prayers. (prb)