Findings on Timor don't jar military DILI, East Timor (JP): The local military is not shaken by the National Commission on Human Rights' recent finding that troops violated basic rights when they killed six people in a Jan. 12 operation in Liquisa. Chief of the Udayana Military Command Maj. Gen. R. Adang Ruchiatna, who oversees security in East Timor, Nusa Tenggara and Bali, said the finding would not inhibit the military from carrying out its day-to-day duties.

Bird poaching In a recent article in the "Across the Archipelago Section," (Bird poaching declines in Irian Jaya, Saturday, Feb. 25, 1995), I am quoted as saying that poaching of Birds-of-Paradise in Irian Jaya is declining. I have never made any statement to this effect, and have no knowledge as to the current volume of Bird-of-Paradise poaching in Irian Jaya; indeed, I have not worked for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Manokwari since August 1994.

Clarification on visa Reading your letter in The Jakarta Post of Feb. 28, 1995 issue, I would like to clarify the situation to prevent any misunderstandings and subsequent disrespect of the Immigration Rules and Regulations set forth in Immigration Act No: 9/1992. We have several types of visas: 1. Tourist Visa -- for those in transit to their country of destination. 2.

UNHRC report not a setback JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia played down a United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) statement of concern on East Timor and denied there were any negative aspects to UN human rights commissioner Jose Ayala Lassio's trip to the province. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs here refuted suggestions that the UNHRC's findings were a setback to Indonesia's efforts at painting a positive picture of its development projects in East Timor.

Weekly Stock Exchange Review JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) continued its course sideways last week. A strong support line at 450 and resistance line at 455 kept the market trading within those limits. The JSX Composite Index closed the week at 452.88 on Wednesday, down 1.81 points (0.4 percent) from the previous week's 454.69.

Thais to make electric car BANGKOK (Reuter): U.S. Electricar Co and CEO Private Club Company Ltd of Thailand have formed a joint venture to make a wide range of electric vehicles for sale in Thailand, the companies said. The new venture, U.S.-Thai Electricar, will begin production in 1996 with 50 electric buses for Bangkok's traffic-clogged and polluted streets.

Ramos wants modern military BAGUIO, Philippines (Reuter): President Fidel Ramos on Saturday said the Philippines needs a modern military to protect and nurture the economic development of the southeast Asian country. Ramos said in a speech before 213 graduating cadets at the Philippine Military Academy in the northern city of Baguio the army must shift to the role of defending the nation from external foes after the end of internal security threats.

ASEAN ministers to meet BANGKOK (Reuter): Economic ministers from the six members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet next month on the Thai resort island of Phuket to discuss enhancing economic cooperation in the region, a Thai Foreign Ministry official said on Friday. Ministers from the six nations -- Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand -- will meet on April 28 and 29, the official said.

Three imprisoned for Dili rioting JAKARTA (JP): The Dili District Court here has sentenced three people to a total of 26 months in prison for their roles in the ethnic rioting late last year. A panel of judges chaired by Barita Sinaga sentenced Joao Alexio to 14 months, Julio Guteres to one year and Santiago Sanches Lajes also to one year in prison during separate trial sessions. The defendants were tried for their roles in three days of violence sparked by the Nov.

Bali needs grade school teachers DENPASAR, Bali: The regencies of Karangasem, Bangli and Buleleng are running short of elementary school teachers because few educators are interested in working in remote areas. Head of the provincial education and culture office, Brata Subawa, said many of the available teachers in the remote villages of those regencies face major constraints in continuing the teaching-learning process.

Vietnam's coal production HANOI (AFP): Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet has approved a general development plan for the coal industry through 2010, with a production target of 6.3 million tons of clean coal in 1995, the daily Vietnam News said. This development plan also forecasts production of 8.5 million tons of coal annually from 2000 to 2010, it added.

Where to go in Jakarta: Music * The Aryaduta Jakarta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambiente Italian Restaurant: Bonauli vocal group, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Lost Morenitos, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Ambassador Lounge: Amir (pianist), Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Jakarta String Fantasy Trio, Monday to Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Sunday from 12:30 p.m.

Letter writing movement From Suara Karya No less than the President and the Vice president have introduced the national letter writing movement in the context of the observance of the Indonesia's 50 years of independence. I am pretty sure that the appeal will be enthusiastically hailed by society, more over it has been a deeply rooted tradition for the Indonesian people to greet and send felicitations to each other on the Idul Fitri day.

The significance of Idul Fitri As we celebrate Idul Fitri, a sense of release prevails because we have completed the effort. We would like to emphasize that Moslems have performed the month-long fast in order to find a new balance on both personal and community levels. On the personal level, what we sought to achieve was to control and conquer our bodily desires. On the community level, we pay alms, which has a high degree of urgency in our society because many Indonesians still live in want.

Environmental damage From Bisnis Indonesia President Soeharto recently approved a plan for the reclamation of 2500 hectares of land along the north coast of Jakarta. According to the Jakarta Administration, the aim of the reclamation program is to preserve more land in the midst of continuous economic growth. The government believes that the city can only expanded northwards. In fact, the reclamation plan is a result of successful bargaining and lobbying by a few entrepreneurs.

Towards Indian Ocean cooperation By Hasyim Djalal JAKARTA (JP): Australia is reportedly planning to organize an informal conference in Perth in the middle of this year to study the possibility of developing a Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference (PECC) type of cooperation for the Indian Ocean. Some 27 littoral and hinterland countries around the Indian Ocean are expected to attend.

Award for city journalists JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta branch of Indonesian Journalists Association will name an award after Muh. Husni Thamrin, a pioneer of Indonesian journalism. The journalistic award will be given to Jakarta-based journalists. The chief of the branch office, Tarman Azzam, said that the award will be given to the best writer of city news, best photographer, best caricaturist and best writer of an editorial column.

Nurhuda's fails to grab Vuyani Bungu's belt JAKARTA (JP): This year's Idul Fitri was perhaps the most dismal ever for Indonesia's junior featherweight Mohammad Nurhuda. While his family celebrated the end of the Ramadhan fasting month at home, Nurhuda, out in Africa, not only broke into a sweat, but had his heart broken in the bargain. Despite his all- out efforts, South Africa's Vuyani "The Beast" Bungu, whose crown he craved so much, outpunched him to earn a unanimous points victory.

Bali's sky alive with 1,000 descents JAKARTA (JP): Up to March 17 the skies over the island of the gods, Bali, and its eastern neighbor, Lombok, will be seeing 1,000 descents a day. But it will not be the numerous Balinese gods descending against the islands' colorful sunsets, just 190 parachutists from Indonesia, the U.S., England, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Malaysia. "Most of the participants have world-class reputation.

Merpati to complete split from Garuda JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transportations Haryanto Dhanutirto said Merpati Nusantara Airlines will be completely separated from its holding company, Garuda Indonesia, later this year. Merpati's management has been separate from Garuda since last July to prepare for the break. The Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Finance have been sounding out further separation of the assets and liabilities.

Ocean Liner from Holland JAKARTA (JP): The Ocean Majesty liner with 450 Dutch passengers is scheduled to arrive at Tanjung Priok port today. The passengers, most of whom used to reside and work in Indonesia during the Dutch colonial era, will be welcomed at the port by Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Brouwer accompanied by Director General of Tourism Andi Mappisameng. Their arrival is part of a 17-day trip in Indonesia.

Variety reigns as millions celebrate Moslem holidays JAKARTA (JP): Moslems across the country celebrated this year's Idul Fitri holidays in a great many styles, garnering a wealth of experiences. People in rural areas were happy just to see their children and other relatives at home after they had long been caught up in the rat race of urban centers. Those who remained in the cities enjoyed the unusual lack of hustle and bustle with their families.

Jakarta deserted during Idul Fitri festivities JAKARTA (JP): The city was deserted over the Idul Fitri holidays, with only a few private cars and public buses using the major thoroughfares over the past three days. The scarcity of transportation left a great number of commuters stranded in city bus shelters. Many people, mostly low-income families, hoping to visit recreation centers or their relatives were forced to wait for hours to get public buses.

Freeport to raise copper production by end of year JAKARTA (JP): PT Freeport Indonesia, an American-Indonesian company operating a copper mine in Irian Jaya, will operate at full capacity after expansion facilities have been completed at the end of the year. "We informed President Soeharto that we will be at full production of copper and gold by the end of this year ... and 1996 will be the first year of full production at the new rate," James R.

U.S. universities try to lure RI students JAKARTA (JP): Many American schools and universities are launching large-scale promotion drives to lure new students from Indonesia and other Asian countries. No less than 24 American universities and colleges, in cooperation with the American-Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF), held a one-day education exhibition here yesterday.

NEC buys into Bakrie TOKYO (AFP): Japan's NEC Corp. has acquired about one percent of Indonesian telephone contractor PT Bakrie and Brothers for three million dollars, hoping to win orders for 750,000 lines, a spokesman said Friday. The spokesman said NEC also planned to help Bakrie develop a national television network across Indonesia and might take part in plans by Bakrie to expand its telecommunications business to Vietnam and other Asian countries.

Oil deposit in Covalima KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: A survey conducted by state-owned oil company, Pertamina, has found an oil deposit along the coastal area of Covalima regency, East Timor. Covalima regent Herman Sudyono told Antara here last week that the size of the deposit has yet to be estimated. "The survey's results have been brought to Jakarta to determine on whether or not the oil deposit will be explored," he said.

Financing urged for exporters JAKARTA (JP): The government should provide more export financing incentives to drive sagging non-oil exports, an official said. Chairman of the National Agency for Export Development Rudy Lengkong said last week that Indonesia is far behind other countries with the same level of development in providing export financing facilities to exporters.

Aussie team to join Malay's League SYDNEY (Reuter): Australia's National Soccer League champion, Adelaide City, has applied to join the Malaysian Premier League, a club spokesman said yesterday. Adelaide City marketing director David Jenkins said the South Australian club had contacted Malaysian officials following last month's announcement by Singapore that they were withdrawing from the league.

Bulog suffer a deficit of Rp 115 billion JAKARTA (JP): The National Logistics Agency (Bulog), which controls domestic trade of various agricultural commodities, suffered a deficit of Rp 115 billion (US$52.3 million) in 1993- 94. Chatim Baidaie of the Government Audit Agency (BPKP) said Bulog's 1993-94 financial statement shows that the deficit was partly caused by Bulog's inconsistency in adopting standardized auditing principles.

Life can be meaningful even behind prison bars By Imanuddin JAKARTA (JP): Being an inmate of a penitentiary does not, as one would imagine, mean the end of the world. Several criminals of the Salemba detention center and the Cipinang penitentiary have proved that being imprisoned can also be meaningful.

Fewer workers protest this year JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Chapter of Manpower Ministry Chief Freddy Tuamelly, has said that the number of demands for Idul Fitri bonuses substantially fell from 20 cases last year to only six cases this year. Freddy said on Thursday that five of the six cases have been settled and one case is now being examined by his office.