VP Megawati offers her favorite food to Gus Dur

VP Megawati offers her favorite food to Gus Dur

JAKARTA (JP): After letting President Abdurrahman Wahid have
breakfast without her at her residence last week, Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri prepared one of her favorite East Java
specialities nasi rawon (rice with beef soup) for the President
and the military top brass on Wednesday.

Abdurrahman, who is facing a possible impeachment threat for
his poor performance in government, apparently tried to regain
her heart by using his skill at making jokes.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said during the
75-minute meeting that they did not discuss the second memorandum
of censure issued by the House of Representatives (DPR) against
the President on Monday.

Abdurrahman and Megawati have not met since last Wednesday. On
Tuesday, the President played down rumors about their worsening
relationship.

"The atmosphere of the meeting was friendly. The memorandum
was not discussed, and as usual the President told jokes,"
Endriartono said after the breakfast.

Also present were Coordinating Minister for Social, Political
and Security Affairs Gen. (ret.) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and
Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S.

Megawati's aides recounted how Abdurrahman often used his old
tactics when she was upset with him.

"I miss your cooking. I have come here just because I want to
eat, please," the official said, recounting Abdurrahman's typical
flattery.

"Despite still being angry with him, Ibu still cooked for him.
And after eating, the President pretended not to know that Ibu
was still upset and made several jokes," an official who was in
charge of her household recently told The Jakarta Post.

The President continued this style of diplomacy when the two
leaders attended the commemoration of National Education Day at
the Merdeka Palace later after breakfast.

While Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin was still
speaking, the President whispered several times to her and
laughed.

During the ceremony, Megawati asked for candy and tissue from
her adjutant. She also sometimes used her fan.

Muhaimin himself talked about reconciliation among conflicting
people. "Rather than watching each other with suspicion let us
shake hands sincerely and in friendship," Muhaimin remarked. Both
of the leaders smiled.

In his speech Abdurrahman expressed his relief at Megawati's
recovery from her flu.

"I am very happy with Ibu Vice President because she has
recovered from her sickness," said the President, and received a
big smile from Megawati.

As he finished his speech, he went to his chair, assisted by
his adjutant, instead of Megawati, who used to help him sit down.

Separately, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi
reiterated that Megawati's personal relations with Abdurrahman
remained excellent, although as Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman, she is politically opposed
to him.

"Megawati has to follow the aspirations of other party
executives," Muzadi said in Surabaya, when asked about Megawati's
position. (prb)