JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – Telling family that he fears he could suffer a third and fatal stroke, ousted head of state Abdurrahman Wahid prepared to travel to the United States for medical treatment – vacating the presidential palace he has held in protest.
“If I have a third stroke, I will die,” Mr. Wahid was quoted Wednesday as saying by Emha Ainun Najib, a Muslim leader and poet.
Former Cabinet minister Mohammad Mahfud told reporters that Mr. Wahid will leave the country with his family and physicians Thursday and would remain in the United States for about two weeks.
The national assembly replaced Mr. Wahid as president Monday with his deputy Megawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of Indonesia’s founding president, Sukarno. On Wednesday, Ms. Megawati prayed and gave thanks at the grave of her father in Blitar, a town in East Java.
