Widodo quietly meets Megawati

Widodo quietly meets Megawati

JAKARTA: Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Adm. Widodo A.S. met
with President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Monday, but broke the
unofficial custom of calling a press conference to explain the
significance of the meeting.

Widodo held talks with the President for about half an hour at
the State Palace. He left through the palace back door to avoid
the horde of journalists waiting for him.

The meeting came amid reports of Megawati's plan to appoint a
new TNI chief in place of Widodo, who had his period of service
extended in 1999, postponing his retirement.

Coordinating Minister of Political and Security Affairs Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono has said that Megawati would submit a sole
candidate for the TNI top post to the House of Representatives
early in May. The House will resume its session on May 8, with
deliberations to approve the TNI chief candidate topping the list
of priorities. -- JP