Swiss watchmakers optimistic about future Although Swiss watch production is widely supported by hi-tech equipment, a small number of watchmakers remain committed to the country's centuries-old tradition as the world's best producer of complicated hand-crafted timepieces. Singapore's Sincere Watch Ltd invited a number of Asian journalists, including The Jakarta Post's Rita A. Widiadana, to visit the headquarters and workshops of Franck Muller and DeLaneau in Switzerland.

Guess What? Sometimes celebrities need gossip to help them gain public attention, although not all of them are ready to admit it. But Indonesian singer Yuni Shara is frank about her appreciation of people who gossip. "Sometimes artists need them, but once they are famous, they no longer need gossipers," said Yuni, whose name has been skyrocketing to fame since the release last year of her first album, a compilation old Indonesian songs titled Tiada Maaf Bagiku (No Forgiveness For Me).

Transforming the Indonesian uplands At least 30 million people gain their livelihoods in Indonesia's upland regions. Tania Li looks at developments there.

New version of 'Ramayana' at Dunia Fantasi By Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): A scow carrying 20 people slowly enters a green tunnel before dropping suddenly, splashing water on the passengers' clothes. Getting wet is only one of the many surprises awaiting visitors to Wahana Rama Sinta, the latest ride at Dunia Fantasi ("Dufan") at Ancol, North Jakarta. Inaugurated by Governor Surjadi Soedirdja on Tuesday, Wahana Rama Sinta offers a modern version of the epic Ramayana.

'Sunken Kingdoms of Indonesia' opens at German museum By Kunang Helmi Picard HILDESHEIM, Germany (JP): Visitors to the Roemer-und Pelizaeus Museum in Hildesheim, Germany can see "Sunken Kingdoms of Indonesia", an important show of 252 artifacts celebrating Indonesia's 50th year of independence. It is indeed a bumper year for Indonesia enthusiasts.

Garuda and Merpati Not only did The Jakarta Post take more than two weeks to print my recent letter on the service, or rather non-existing service of Garuda/Merpati on domestic flights, but the contents were edited in such a way that, apart from grammatical mistakes, which were brought in, the meaning of what I really wanted to say also got lost in the process.

U.S. offers F-16 fighters to RI WASHINGTON (JP): U.S. President Bill Clinton offered the sale of F-16 fighters to Indonesia during his nearly one-hour meeting with President Soeharto at the White House on Friday. "President Clinton said the United States is ready to sell a number of F-16 aircraft to Indonesia," Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono told reporters after the meeting.

Guess What? If a contest were held for the most active woman in health organizations, Poppy Hayono Isman, wife of the minister of youth and sports, would have a good chance of winning. She is active in the Indonesian Cancer Foundation, the Indonesian Thalasemia Foundation, the Indonesian Asthma Foundation and the Indonesian AIDS Foundation.

Songwriters summit creates new melodies By Johannes Simbolon DENPASAR, Bali (JP): On Ungasan hill, just south of here, a number of exciting new melodies have been born at the Pacific Music Rainbow songwriters convention, which began last Thursday. Celebrated composers from the U.S., Indonesia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam filled the morning air with music at the Bali Cliff Resort, which is hosting the gathering.

Parents face problems in explaining what rape is By Djoewerian Poorwo Soedarmo JAKARTA (JP): Rape. A word that makes one shudder. Rape cases are so frequently published in the papers nowadays that it leaves us scared and highly cautious. In horror we keep wondering, what if it happens to our beloved teenage daughters or the younger ones and in exceptional cases even to our little sons?

Santet By Dewi Anggraeni The heat is becoming increasingly oppressive though relief from the late afternoon's humidity is slowly descending. Bob and Riyadi leave the modest building which serves as their clinic, each carrying his case. Riyadi stops to take his cigarette pack out of his trouser pocket. Bob, still puzzled by the day's events, slows down to let Riyadi catch up with him. This morning when he came to the clinic, Rohana, his nursing aid, was talking to the cleaner, Udin.

Learning the art of queuing JAKARTA (JP): Consider this: Indonesians are good at doing great things, but lousy at trivial matters such as queuing. It is, for example, easier for Indonesians to build an airplane than to queue. Now you may disagree with me, but what about the following facts? How long did it take for the nation to build its first airplane? Fifty years, with Independence Day as a starting point. How long has it taken for Indonesians to learn how to queue?

Exhibition traces influences of Kay It By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): The strange and comic pot-bellied terra-cotta figures now appearing in Jakarta gardens, their elongated hands playing the gamelan, never fail to bring to my mind the wealth of creative genius that originates in Bali. These figures, which are products of Bali, have become one of the most prominent Balinese handicrafts and can be seen everywhere, especially in the major centers of tourism on the island.

TV today TVRI 7:00 a.m. Morning News 7:30 Healthy and Fit with Berty Tilarso 7:40 TV Series: Space Keteers 8:05 Among Us 8:35 Children's Stories 9:00 People and Events 9:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 9:45 Music 10:45 Youth Program 11:15 Indonesian Cuisine 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke Gelanggang 1:15 p.m.

Painting review I always enjoy reading the articles of my colleague and fellow art writer, R. Fadjri. He usually offers good writing and analysis of the Indonesian fine arts scene. However, I must take exception to his most recent article, about Yogyakarta photo- realist painter Bambang Pramudiyanto (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 15, 1995).

Malaysia maintains communal harmony Aidit bin Haji Ghazali provides a perspective of Moslem and non- Moslem relationships in contemporary Malaysia. What appears new, occurs when something which is seemingly difficult becomes manageable, and that which is unexpected is realized. This is the scenario against which the relationship between Moslems and non-Moslems is gaining attention in this world of different races, religions, nationalities, cultures and tastes.

Wongso works to promote Indonesian cuisine By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): "Visitors to Indonesia have often asked me a simple yet difficult question: 'What is Indonesian food?'" says Indonesian culinary expert William Wirjaatmaja Wongso. Before he was able to answer the question, he had to consult all the local cuisine books and taste the rich variety of dishes from the country's 27 provinces.

RI riders to handle tough horses JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian riders may have to waste time training horses during equestrian events at the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai. Ardi Hapsoro, Indonesia's ace rider in dressage competition, said yesterday that he and his teammates were forced to try out many horses after hearing that the host country would provide inappropriate horses.

ASEAN: From turbulent past to promising future Milton Osborne argues that while ASEAN should not forget its past, it should constantly subject its thinking to scrutiny so as not to be caught unaware by events. The countries of ASEAN have every reason to be pleased with the present and bullish about the future. With major conflicts banished from the region and economic growth figures promising even better times to come, there seems little reason to dwell on past difficulties.

Vietnam intends to solve border disputes peacefully How will Vietnam's membership in ASEAN affect its border disputes with neighboring countries? Ramses Amer tries to answer that question. With Vietnam becoming a member of ASEAN, integration in Southeast Asia can be expected to be strengthened in the economic, political and security fields. However, could this process be hampered by current territorial disputes? Vietnam's membership in ASEAN brings to the forefront a number of such disputes.

Youth Pledge Day celebrated in style JAKARTA (JP): The 67th anniversary of Youth Pledge Day was celebrated yesterday in grand style at the Jakarta Convention Center. Dances and patriotic songs enliven the celebration where Vice President Try Sutrisno and numerous cabinet ministers were among the 5,000 young people on hand.