Traffic and pollution Congratulations on your excellent coverage of Indonesia's MICE (Meetings, Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions) market in Sunday's The Jakarta Post, Nov. 3, 1996.I would like to correct one of my statements on Jakarta as a MICE destination.

Nov. 10, 1945 solemnizes Indonesians' fearless spiritBy K. Basri JAKARTA (JP): There are lot of heroic stories in Indonesia's history but the country marks its heroes on Nov. 10, Heroes Day. The date marks a bloody clash between Indonesian freedom fighters in Surabaya, East Java and the British-led...

Sjoerd Bakker pictures the mysteries of natureBy Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): The limited number of aquatint prints on view here show an artist whose primary concern is nature.Sjoerd Bakker, the artist, uses landscape to express the mysticism and magic of the natural world that surrounds us.

Do we still need heroes in the present day? JAKARTA (JP): What is a hero? Do we need heroes? Can we find a "real hero" in the present day? Such simple questions probably emerge every November 10 when Indonesians celebrate National Heroes Day.

Heroism, nationhood key elements in promoting national unityBy Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): November 10 is a day for commemorating and honoring our fallen heroes. On this particular day in 1945, freedom fighters -- in Surabaya particularly, and in East Java in general -- had rejected an ultimatum...

Australian police probe threats to Asian envoys SYDNEY (Reuter): Australian police are investigating abusive letters sent to some Asian diplomats and vandalism at the Chinese consulate, a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

Sumatra's precious jewel Lake Ranau offers tranquilityText and photos by Graham Simmons LAKE RANAU, Sumatra (JP): "Culture shock" is a common term nowadays. But what does it mean?Maybe Java is a good example.

Lake Ranau accessible by land transportationGetting There: Merpati Airlines (a subsidiary of the Indonesian flag carrier Garuda) flies daily from Jakarta to Bandar Lampung, leaving Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 12:55 p.m. and 2:25 p.m.

Suwandi qualifies for national selection JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's former number one tennis player Suwandi needed only seven minutes to emerge as Group D champion after Abdul Kahar MIM withdrew early in the first set in the national preselection tournament yesterday at the Senayan clay courts.

American shot dead in RP MANILA (AFP): An American national operating a diving resort in the central Philippines was shot dead by a town mayor's bodyguard after the American struck the mayor in an argument, police said yesterday.

Is National Heroes Day still dignified? JAKARTA (JP): What should one expect during a ceremony to commemorate National Heroes Day? Ideally, a solemn and serene atmosphere where everyone reminisces about the days of violent combat and the sacrifice made by those who died to found the country.

The late Mrs. Tien Soeharto declared a national heroine JAKARTA (JP): Mrs. Tien Soeharto, the late wife of President Soeharto, was proclaimed a national heroine yesterday for her role in the independence movement and in promoting national development.

Local use of terms in relationships prevents confusionBy John Phillips JAKARTA (JP): In this age of political, cultural and linguistic correctness, it is becoming increasingly difficult to figure out what people mean when they say something because they are always saying one thing when they mean...

Appeal to TelkomFrom NeracaI am appealing to PT Telkom to listen to subscribers' complaints so they would serve them in all earnest and at the same time, to upgrade the company's consumer service. The reason behind this appeal is our experience over the past several months with our telephone.

Softball body wants a clean-sweep in SEAG JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia Amateur Baseball and Softball Federation has set its sights on making a clean-sweep of the two gold medals in softball at the 19th Southeast Asian Games here next year.

An alliance is always a two-way streetBy Robyn Lim The United States continues to need allies in the Post-Cold War era. Southeast Asians will have noted that no ASEAN state was included in the definition of American strategic anchors in the Western Pacific at the Australia-U.S.