Myanmar becomes ASEAN observer JAKARTA (JP): Myanmar took one step closer to becoming a member of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) yesterday as it was inducted as an observer of the seven-member organization. Myanmar's admission came in the midst of intense Western criticism over Yangon's human rights record.

Not quite Wright in Ubud: The Chedi Ubud hotel UBUD, Bali (JP): The design of the Chedi Ubud, the latest boutique hotel in Payangan, northwest of Ubud, Bali, shows evidence of the influence of the renowned American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, in some of its architectural and interior design elements. The overall design is an elegant architectural statement inspired by many other designs. It is indeed true that "nothing is new under the sun".

China key player for ASEAN JAKARTA (AFP): China's growing economic and military clout makes it a key outside player for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and there are worries Beijing is dominating relations, diplomats and analysts say.

Fishermen's children suffer from exploitation By Rita A. Widiadana and Fitriyanti Djoni Despite the fact that Indonesia has ratified the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, there are still many children living in exceptionally difficult conditions. The growing number of child workers, street kids and juvenile delinquents are serious problems faced by the Indonesian government in its attempts to manifest the convention into national policy.

'Resist pressure on non-trade issues' JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia asked fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday to resist the West's pressure to link environmental and human rights issues with international trade talks. The U.S. and western Europe have planned to discuss the "non- trade" issues at the forthcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Singapore, scheduled for December.

Children, indicators of a nation's progress By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): The progress of nations is usually measured by their military or economic strength, or by the splendor of their capital cities and public buildings. There will be a day, however, when a country's prosperity will be measured by the well-being of its people and by the protection it provides for the growing minds and bodies of its children.

Beijing's sea baselines to be questioned JAKARTA (JP): ASEAN will seek further clarification during either the ASEAN Regional Forum or the Post Ministerial Conferences on a recent Chinese declaration in which Beijing unilaterally defined its sea baselines in the South China Sea. Malaysia's Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Kamil Jafaar said that ASEAN will most likely pursue the matter in the coming week at a meeting which will involve Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen.

Questions on menstruation BOGOR, West Java (JP): Here are a few frequently-asked questions about menstruation: 1. "How much blood is there?" Sofi, my ten-year-old granddaughter, used to fear that she'd faint from the loss of blood. Tell your daughter that menstrual flow is heaviest in the first few days. The total discharge actually amounts to about half a cup, or about four to six tablespoons.

Jesse Jackson meets with local labor activists JAKARTA (JP): Jesse Jackson, a U.S. front liner in the civil rights movement, met with local labor activists yesterday to obtain first-hand information on labor conditions in Indonesia. Jackson visited the unrecognized Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union (SBSI) and the only government sanctioned labor union the Federation of All-Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) headquarters.

Regional mechanism for rights issue planned JAKARTA (JP): Human rights officials from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand will explore the possibility of establishing a regional mechanism to deal with rights issues. Marzuki Darusman, the deputy chairman of Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights, said yesterday the rights activists will discuss the plan with officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today.

Aroma Vera establishes itself in Jakarta By Marina Kanetti JAKARTA (JP): The magical effects of flowers and aromatic fragrances over the human body have been known for ages. In fact, as Marcel Lavabre, founder and CEO of Aroma Vera, Inc., and Linda Lie, cofounder and coowner of the Indonesian branch, L&L Aroma Vera, try to convince their customers, aromatic fragrances have as much effect over the human body, as they have over the human soul.

ASEAN FMs to discuss economic issues JAKARTA (JP): Foreign ministers from the seven ASEAN member countries will address wide-ranging economic issues from the Mekong basin project to free trade in a joint communique they will issue at the end of their annual meeting today.

Kuala Lumpur makes fresh plug for EAEC JAKARTA (Kyodo): Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday the proposed East Asian Economic Caucus (EAEC) promoted tirelessly by his country is being wrongly perceived as a potentially divisive force among the members of the 18-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Huge marine resources not yet tapped JAKARTA (JP): As a maritime country, Indonesia is proud of its abundant marine resources. Indonesia's territorial waters cover a 5.8 million square kilometer area. Some 3.1 million square km are under government control, with 2.7 million square km of exclusive fishing zone areas. The fish stock is estimated to reach about 6.7 million tons per year, comprising 4.4 million tons from Indonesia's territorial waters and 2.3 million from the exclusive zone areas.

Ismet insists on relinquishing PSSI seat JAKARTA (JP): Competition and league manager of the All- Indonesia Soccer Association, Ismet Tahir, is insisting on resigning from the soccer body and says it is his own decision. "Nobody is to blame except me. It's my guilty feeling that makes me resign," Ismet announced on Friday. It was Ismet's first public announcement since his letter of resignation addressed to chairman of the association, Azwar Anas, was leaked early this week.

Estee Lauder adds spice to life's little 'pleasures' By Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): From the creators of White Linen and Beautiful comes Estee Lauder's pleasures, the new offering that vies for one's olfactory attention in the fragrance market. It is certainly easy on the nose being an exceptionally light perfume, which assures a broad based appeal over a large age group. In fact, at Lauder, they hope to see it become the first fragrance that a girl buys.

ASEAN fund to be listed at two places TOKYO (AFP): A country fund targeting equities investment in member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is seeking to be listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange in Japan and the Stock Exchange of Singapore, a newspaper said yesterday. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun said in a dispatch from Singapore that applications were being filed with both exchanges for a simultaneous listing at the end of September.

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:25 Morning Focus 6:45 Healthy and Fit 7:00 Morning News 7:30 TV Series: Grandizer 8:00 Children's Program: Panggung Gembira Anak 9:00 English News Service 9:30 Focus: People and Event 10:00 Music: Album Minggu Ini 11:00 Children's Stories 11:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke Gelanggang 1:15 p.m.

Balinese inherit Ubud's flourishing tourist industry Text and photos by Amir Sidharta UBUD, Bali (JP): Famous as the cultural center of Bali, Ubud has recently seen much tourist development fueled by foreign investment. International hotel chains have appeared to profit from this apparently lucrative business. However, new developments recently opened here suggest that Ubud will remain Balinese.

Labuan children study the Koran at Madrasah LABUAN, West Java (JP): The clock strikes 1 p.m. Dozens of children flock into a decaying classroom at Madrasah Tunas Bahari, an Islamic school in the fishing village of Teluk in Labuan, about 160 kilometer west of Jakarta. About 50 young pupils between five and seven are eagerly waiting for Ustadz (religious teacher) Amin Mugmie to give them a lesson in the Koran and Arabic. Before the teacher arrives, some children recite Koranic verses.

Transit goods arrangement called for JAKARTA (Kyodo): Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) late Friday agreed on the need for some kind of regional arrangement to govern the transit of goods within ASEAN in three years and are expected to toss the idea to their economic ministers for fleshing out, ASEAN officials said.

Soeharto, 'Father of ASEAN' JAKARTA (JP): Singapore Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar lauded Indonesia's President Soeharto as "Father of ASEAN" for his unwavering commitment to the organization for the past three decades. "More than any other leader in this region, President Soeharto deserves the title of 'Bapak ASEAN' which has been conferred upon him by thoughtful observers of the growth and success of ASEAN," Jayakumar said yesterday in his opening address at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

More buses, please From Neraca Being a public transportation commuter, I do not object to drivers of Patas air-conditioned buses taking on more passengers than the seating capacity, especially in the morning. I feel that penalties taken against the bus drivers or companies will severely affect commuters. I do not mean to defend the bus owners, I am actually speaking up for myself.

Jewel of Asia show draws big crowds but few buyers By Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): If diamonds are indeed a girl's best friend, then last weekend the Jakarta Convention Center was transformed into a sorority's dream. At the Jewel of Asia show -- Indonesia's first international trade show on jewelry, thousands of gleaming gems drew an audience of three thousand jewelry buffs. Whole families gasped and gawked at the immense display of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones.

A mixture of tears and laughter at Tana Toraja funeral Text and photos by Mulkan Salmona TANA TORAJA, South Sulawesi (JP): The ceremony to bless the body of Maria Laik Andi, who died in November 1995, was held one solemn afternoon earlier this month in the Catholic Church of St. Mary in Kampong Buntulambu. It was quiet for a moment. Then, the priest's words broke the silence and the choir was heard.

Emmy Hafild feels at home at Walhi By P. Prasetyohadi JAKARTA (JP): "I come from a family which loves nature. We all love to travel and enjoy nature. I love adventure too," says Emmy Hafild, the activist elected recently to lead the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi). Emmy seems to be an ideal person to lead Indonesia's most influential and vocal environmental group.

Traditional fishermen fight daily battle for survival By Rita A. Widiadana and Fitriyanti Djoni JAKARTA (JP): They are poor, lazy, uneducated, wasteful and have no ethics or social conscience. That is the stereotype of the estimated 1.5 million traditional fishermen in the Indonesian archipelago. The days when thousands of adventurous, independent and brave fishermen roamed the waters of Indonesia and Asia are long gone.