An alliance is always a two-way street By 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. ministerial talks in July 1996. The omission of Thailand and the Philippines from this definition reflects the fact that both states have recently shown unwillingness to help the U.S.

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. Doedie Gambiro, the federation's head of softball development, said yesterday that to achieve this Indonesia would have to beat the Philippines, the region's most powerful softball playing country.

Appeal to Telkom From Neraca I 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. Our telephone line (5542045) is often out of order, and we reported the matter to PT Telkom through its service number, 117.

Local use of terms in relationships prevents confusion By 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 another, as I pointed out with the term teman. Indonesians are among the most skillful at doing this because of their highly developed, innate sense of politeness.

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. During the inauguration ceremony at the Merdeka Palace, Soeharto presented his eldest and youngest daughters, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih, with a plaque and certificate signifying the late First Lady's achievements.

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. But such an atmosphere now is hard to find, and the solemnity of National Heroes Day has faded.

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. Jerome Goodman, 54, owner of Philippine Dive and Tours Restaurant in the town of Moalboal, was confronted in his establishment on Friday by Moalboal Mayor Marcelo Abrenica, who was angry about a billboard for the resort which Goodman had allegedly put up illegally.

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. Suwandi was leading 3-0 when Abdul Kahar retired because of a an injury to his left foot he suffered on Friday.

Lake Ranau accessible by land transportation Getting 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. Other daily flights leave from Halim Perdanakusumah domestic terminal in East Jakarta at 7:05 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m., and 4:20 p.m.

Sumatra's precious jewel Lake Ranau offers tranquility Text 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. With a population of over 100 million crammed together as if with a shoe-horn, the visitor is confronted by a roller coaster of sights, sounds and feelings. One minute elevated to heights of wonder, the next moment plunged to the mundane or the simply ridiculous. Sumatra is different.

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. The spokesman said the Malaysian consulate in Sydney had received some abusive letters, but he declined to specify their contents.

Heroism, nationhood key elements in promoting national unity By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): November 10 is a day for commemorating and honoring our fallen heroes.

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. The Jakarta Post asked a selection of people for their views on the subject. Rizal Ramli, a noted economist and Econit's managing director: "A hero does not necessarily have to be someone that is, or ever will be, buried in a heroes cemetery.

Sjoerd Bakker pictures the mysteries of nature By 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. There is a strong thread of grimly reflective, even pessimistic thought in his work, which is on display at the Erasmus Huis until Nov. 22.

Nov. 10, 1945 solemnizes Indonesians' fearless spirit By 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 Allied forces 51 years ago.

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. My comment was "that there is a considerable misperception of Jakarta, particularly in relation to traffic and pollution.