Indonesia: president unfit to govern?

Battle for the political survival of the Indonesian President Mr.Abdurrahman Wahid took a new turn last Friday, when four doctors informed a hostile Parliament that Mr. Wahid is medically unfit to perform his duties. The Speaker of the lower house Mr. Akbar Tanjung is quoted by the media saying that the Parliament had received a report from a neurologist, an optical specialist, a physician and a psychiatrist. All four are expected to appear before the House on 2 April. The 60-year-old President is clinically blind, cannot walk without assistance and suffers from diabetes. Indonesian media say the doctors' report claims the leader's health problems affected his behaviour. The head of the President's own medical team claims the four doctors did not observe his patient directly. A clause in the Indonesian constitution allows for the Head of State to be removed on the grounds of impaired health. The battle goes on.

HENRY L. MARCONI PRAVDA.RU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA