What makes people poor? JAKARTA (JP): What makes one poor? There are many factors that lead to poverty, including poor work ethos, lack of skills, and lack of opportunity to improve one's life. Loekman Soetrisno, a sociologist from Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, said that disparities of economic development are the major source of poverty. He was referring to the concentration of industrialization in urban areas.

Yayuk blasts her way to semifinals MONTREAL (Agencies): Indonesian unseeded Yayuk Basuki blasted her way to the semifinals of the Canadian Open women's tennis championships after scoring yet another upset, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5, win over 13th seed American Amy Frazier here on Friday. The surprise victory, Yayuk's third in a row in the US$926,250 tournament, opens up a chance of writing a piece of history in her six-year career as she now plays joint world number one Monica Seles, also from the U.S.

ABRI chief of general affairs confirms his dismissal JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) chief of general affairs Lt. Gen. Soeyono has confirmed that he had lost his job but denied that this had any connection with his health. "I have received the Armed Forces Chief's decree and am ready to quit my post," Soeyono told reporters here on Friday night when attending Singapore National Day celebrations at the Singaporean embassy.

The door: It lets you in or shuts you out JAKARTA (JP): No, I don't have the slightest idea who invented the door. Nor do I know who first put doors in their homes. I could only guess that even the caves where Fred and Barnie and their families lived had bathroom doors, since I could never envision myself using a bathroom that has no door. In the civilized world, a door is needed to give ourselves some privacy. At the same time, it also helps us avoid offending others.

10K run offers Bimantara car JAKARTA (JP): Two Bimantara Cakra cars are up for grabs in the men's and women's Caltex 10-kilometer run today. National men's record holder Eduardus Nabunome and his female counterpart Suryati Marija will join 4,000 runners vying for the top prizes -- worth Rp 38 million each -- in the race which is being held in conjunction with the oil company's 60th anniversary.

A Japanese security role in Southeast Asia? There are several scenarios that could lead to a Japanese security role in the region By Lee Poh Ping The recent visit to Japan by American President Bill Clinton has led to a reaffirmation of the U.S.-Japan security agreement which had been thought to be in danger of unraveling as a result of the Okinawa rape incident.

RP volcano erupts, two dead MANILA (Reuter): A volcano in the central Philippines erupted yesterday and police said at least two mountain climbers, a Belgian and a Filipino, were killed. Twelve other members of a 15-member climbing team were injured while one was missing in the wake of the eruption of Mount Canlaon, police radio operator Gladys Trabadillo said by telephone from La Carlota town near the volcano.

Urban poor fed up with rich getting richer from coterie By Rita A. Widiadana and T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): Most people want to be rich. Some get what they want, some don't. Some might get rich because of their hard work, while others are wealthy because they get certain "facilities" from the government, or because they have good connections. Poor people exist everywhere, even in rich countries. There is nothing unusual with the gap between the rich and the poor.

Aspac dunks Indosyntec to retain Kobatama title JAKARTA (JP): Panasia Indosyntec of Bandung stayed close in the first half of its Kobatama basketball league championship final against Aspac Jakarta yesterday but it was never enough to save it from a 69-100 rout. It was the third final-meeting in a bitter rivalry between the two clubs. But defending champion Aspac enjoyed an easier job this time than the previous two encounters.

Nuclear power and principles of science From Warta Ekonomi The principles of science note that we should not reject the existence of nuclear science. Science is the foundation of civilization. Rejection of science is, therefore, an uncivilized act. Moving from this point of view, I am of the opinion that Indonesians should master nuclear science for further growth, striving for the ultimate level.

Youths need proper channels: Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto acknowledged yesterday the need for proper mechanism for youths to channel their aspirations to avoid apathy and frustration. "If we have proper channels, youths will become Indonesia's tremendous development force," the President said when opening National Technology Awakening Day.

When does 'teman' rally mean ' friend'? By John Phillips JAKARTA (JP): For perhaps the millionth time an Indonesian person (usually my wife) has confused me by referring to someone as a teman -- friend -- when they really mean something else. Now, I am wondering what Indonesians really mean when they use the term teman or its presumed English equivalent, "friend". And I am wondering why I am still always confused after all these years.

KL power firm chairman KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday power company Tenaga Nasional chief Ani Arope, who has come under severe criticism for last week's mass blackout, would be replaced. Mahathir said Ani, who is Tenaga's executive chairman, would be replaced by Ahmad Tajuddin, director-general of the Standards and Industrial Research Institute Malaysia. "Ani had completed his contract last month.

The poor survive by helping each other The words ghetto and slum conjure up visions of filth, dilapidation, poverty, misery, crime. Much of the destruction in Jakarta's recent riots has been attributed to frustration with social as well as political conditions. The Jakarta Post recently visited three urban slums near the affected areas and talked to the people to find out about their way of life, their dreams and their expectations.

Science blended with religion to help patients By Prapti Widinugraheni JAKARTA (JP): Frustration, disappointment and stress are a part of the everyday life many Jakartans lead. They can build up slowly, harmlessly and even unnoticeably at first, but gradually becoming more and more uncomfortable, more unbearable and, finally, there is little choice but to let them all come out -- in some way or another.

Guess What? Which is more valuable? A car or a painting? For an art collector, a painting is the answer. Mien Uno, director of the John Robert Powers School, hesitated when faced with a work of Yogyakarta's artist Saptohoedojo. Entitled Jer Basuki Mawa Bea, meaning one's effort will not succeed without money, the painting captured her interest when she attended the opening of Sapto's exhibition at Bentara Budaya Jakarta Wednesday evening.

Shadow puppetry emvedded in Yogyakarta life By Marina Kaneti YOGYAKARTA (JP): In a world of terrorist bombings, crashing markets, and concern about global warming there seems to be less and less room for art. This must be especially true about art based on stories and tradition born around the time of the Athens Olympic Games and embraced and valued by people centuries before Shakespearean drama established itself as one of the most precious stones in the crown of Western art tradition.