U.S. Senator to visit E. Timor JAKARTA (JP): Visiting U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell yesterday held an exchange of views with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas concerning East Timor and human rights. "We just had a general exchange of views. I don't want to go into specifics," Senator Pell told journalists after meeting with Alatas here.

Dickenson drafts 'Blueprints for Creative Entertaining' By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Entertaining guests is really not an easy job. It needs accurate planning. Margaret H. Dickenson has all the entertaining answers. After accompanying her diplomat husband, Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia Lawrence T. Dickenson, in 28 years of foreign service, she has accumulated a lot of important know-how in entertaining guests.

Sri Bintang's new party For years many people have complained that Indonesia's current political system is outdated and should be reformed in line with new developments. One should remember that the current system was created and tailored by the New Order government some 25 years ago to depoliticize the country in order to achieve the "national stability" which was perceived as a prerequisite for the national development drive. Under this system only three political parties are allowed.

YLKI slams express bus fare increase JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) yesterday blasted the Land Transport Owners Organization (Organda) for increasing the fare of air-conditioned express buses from Rp 1,300 to Rp 1,800 (78 US cents). YLKI chairperson Tini Hadad asked the organization to review its decision and set the fare lower than Rp 1,800. "The organization should not feel it will `lose face' by doing that," Tini said yesterday.

Sinar Mas revamps its multifinance company JAKARTA (JP): PT Sinar Mas Multiartha, a publicly-listed multifinance arm of the Sinar Mas Group, said yesterday it will change its line of business because, under its current standing, it does not comply with government rulings on multifinance firms.

Local steel grating company optimistic JAKARTA (JP): PT Webforge Indonesia, a manufacturer and fabricator of steel grating whose prices are said to be 20 percent lower than imports, is optimistic that its products will win a place on the domestic market.

Bimantara Citra to launch national cars in July JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed Bimantara Citra, controlled by President Soeharto's son Bambang Trihatmodjo, plans to unfurl its "national" cars -- to be called Bimantara -- in July. Bambang said here yesterday that Bimantara's automotive arm, PT Bimantara Cakra Nusa, had acquired brand licenses from the government to produce the Bimantara Cakra car, with a 1,500cc engine, and the Bimantara Nenggala car, with a 1,600cc engine.

Fair employees protest over retirement money JAKARTA (JP): Representatives of more than 300 former employees of the Jakarta Fair Foundation filed a complaint with the city council yesterday over their future severance pay. Employees said their current employer, a joint venture including the foundation set up in 1992, is considering those with up to 20 years of service as new workers.

Health workers face difficulties By Stevie Emilia BELU, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Yeswelda Mali, a midwife in Lamaknen district, wakes up at the first cockcrow, bicycles to the Weluli village clinic, and often waits hours before a pregnant woman finally comes in for an examination.

Sukamto raises Amcol stake SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesian businessman Sukamto Sia, preparing for a boardroom battle later this month, has bought 1.55 million more shares in trading firm Amcol Holdings Ltd, bringing his stake in the company to more than 13 percent.

Firm gives bonus shares JAKARTA (JP): PT Bakrie Sumatra Plantations has announced that it is to split its stocks and distribute bonus shares and dividends. The company said in a statement that its annual shareholders meeting yesterday agreed to the company's plans to split stocks and issue bonus shares. For every five existing shares holders would be eligible to get nine bonus shares.