He may be blind, but President Abdurrahman Wahid’s verbal gymnastics remain first-rate. Did he or did he not cast aspersions on the ability of his popular deputy, Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri, widely expected to succeed him if impeached?

Indonesian papers last week screamed in bold letters, yes, he had. The palace said of course not. Wahid has no doubts about Mega’s ability. But a transcript of his words obtained by TEMPO sug