(7 Jul 1996) Natural Sound

The 75yearold Indonesian president, Suharto, is en route to Europe for a health checkup.

The Minister at the State Secretariat, Murdiono, says it's just a routine medical check something Suharto has twice a year.

Although Murdiono declined to name the city and hospital where the president will be treated, it's widely expected to be Hanover, Germany.

Indonesian president Suharto left for Europe Sunday for what his staff called a routine medical health checkup.

His staff gave him a warm sendoff at the Halim Perdanakusumah military airport.

Although the appointment is said to be routine, a presidential source said Suharto will be treated for kidney stones.

He has had problems with stones since 1994 when a stone was also found in his urinary tract.

SOUNDBITE:
"According to an examination by the president's team of doctors on the 29th of last month it was decided that the president needed to be checked more intensively because we don't have the equipment here. Tonight the president and a small group has left Indonesia for Europe to have its medical checkup in one of the countries in Europe. The checks will begin next Tuesday and will go on for several days."
SUPERCAPTION: Minister at the State Secretariat, Murdiono

The ailment raises questions about Suharto's plans to run in 1998 for a seventh term as president.

Doubts over Suharto's political future were also raised after his wife, Tien, died in April of a heart attack.

The president had appeared to be in good health when he met US legislators on Thursday and a Japanese delegation on Friday.

Suharto's last official appearance before leaving for Europe was to wish the Indonesian Olympics team good luck on their way to Atlanta.

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