AFC launches war on drug abuse KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched an all-out war on drug abuse in the sport, its general secretary Peter Velappan said yesterday. "All national associations are now required to step up efforts to eradicate this menace from the sport," he said in a statement. Velappan said this would be done through campaigns to educate all officials, players and coaches on the negative influence of drugs.

Naoko to face Yuka in all-Japanese finals at Open JAKARTA (JP): Second seed Naoko Sawamatsu will face seventh seed Yuka Yoshida in an all-Japanese Finals of the Danamon Indonesia Women's Open today at the Senayan rebound ace court. The finals will be aired today live at 10 a.m. on ANteve. Sawamatsu had to stretch her muscles to overcome Rita Grande of Italy 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-1, in a two-hour-and-11-minute match.

Kartini Orchestra tunes into women's achievements JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of prominent guests packed the auditorium for a rare and unusual event -- a music concert organized and performed exclusively by women in celebration of their achievements. Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI) organized the all-female Kartini Orchestra in celebration of Kartini Day at the Plenary Hall of the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center last Monday night.

The 'Post' celebrates its 14th anniversary JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Post celebrated its 14th anniversary with a cocktail party at the Jakarta Convention Center's Cendrawasih Room Friday evening. Among the 800 guests were the minister of tourism, post and telecommunications, Joop Ave, the chairman of the national committee for sports affairs, Wismoyo Arismunandar, the director general of press and graphic affairs, Subrata, the armed forces' spokesman, Brig. Gen.

Spotlight Photo A/B: Joop JP/Suyoto JP/Suyoto The minister of tourism, post and telecommunications, Joop Ave (above photo, left), talks seriously with businesswoman Dewi Motik at a cocktail reception for The Jakarta Post's 14th anniversary at the Jakarta Convention Center. The director general of press and graphic affairs, Subrata (below photo, left), chatted with businessman Peter Gontha of Bimantara Group at Friday's party.

One fine morning at Rawabelong flower center By Devi M. Asmarani and Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): The flower sellers carry on a playful but intent banter with passersby, urging them to take notice of their wares. "What are you looking for? Roses? Jasmine? Orchids? They are as beautiful as you," a seller calls out teasingly to a female visitor.

Pickpocket on bus From Kompas On March 3, around 1:20 p.m., I went to Jakarta Hospital for a blood test. After the test, I took a bus from the hospital on Jl. Sudirman to Blok M. When I entered the front entrance of the bus, a fat man in a blue t-shirt grabbed the left leg of my pants and pinched my back. This action confused me. I could only think of this man and wondered if he might know me. When the bus started moving, I reached into my right pocket and discovered that my money was gone.

Samirin wins Liberty Bell Open easily By Kristianus Liem JAKARTA (JP): The 1997 Liberty Bell Open, the 29th meet in the Philadelphia series, saw GM Ilya Smirin win easily. The young Israeli, formerly of Minsk, Belorussia, won his first four games, including victories over GM Arthur Bisguier and NM Emory Tate, then drew with IM Jonathan Yedidia and beat GM Alexander Ivanov before finally drawing quickly with White against GM Nick deFirmian.

Presidential suites illuminate lifestyles of rich and famous By John Aglionby JAKARTA (JP): Lionel Ritchie has a claim to fame probably no other visitor to Jakarta can match. He was kicked out of one of the city's five-star hotel's presidential suites. Not on account of his singing but because Gen. John Shalikashvili, the chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, and his entourage wanted the Sahid Jaya's most luxurious accommodation at the same time.

All election contenders conclude final preparations JAKARTA (JP): The race is on. All raring to go, the United Development Party (PPP), Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) completed yesterday their final preparations for the nationwide election campaign which kicks off today. PPP's chairman, Ismail Hasan Metareum, is starting this morning in Medan, North Sumatra, armed with speeches saying his party will fight for democratization, social justice and rights.

Erica depicts whimsical images of her own dream world By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Galeri Santi from Indonesia, will have the privilege of presenting the promising young artist Erica Hestu Wahyuni, in Singapore, from April 24 to 29. Erica's paintings will appear alongside work from 30 galleries worldwide at the Fifth International Fine Art and Antiques Fair for Asia, Tresors 1997. The paintings of the up and coming Erica Hestu Wahyuni are whimsical and surreal.

U.S. to keep Myanmar out of ASEAN WASHINGTON (Reuter): The United States came out on Friday in open opposition to Myanmar joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and said it was lobbying the group to drop a proposal to admit Rangoon this year. "We don't believe that ASEAN should take this step," State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said. His comments appeared to step up long-standing Western unhappiness about the plan to admit Myanmar, where Washington banned new U.S.

RI's flower industry a late bloomer JAKARTA (JP): A vast country blessed with a wealth of natural resources and a fertile tropical climate, Indonesia should rightfully belong among the top ranks of the world's flower producers. But studies show Indonesia's flower production lags far behind many other countries, even small ones like the Netherlands, the world's largest producer of flowers. According to the Indonesian Flower Association (Asbindo), production in the country last year reached Rp 57.

'TPI' presents maternity-theme trilogy By Marselli Sumarno JAKARTA (JP): Three renowned directors, Garin Nugroho, Slamet Rahardjo and Teguh Karya, have something in common. Each of them has made a film with the same theme of maternity. The trilogy is produced in cooperation with John Hopkins University, the National Coordinating Family Planning Board and TPI.

Flight delays continue to beset haj operation JAKARTA (JP): The government's operation to bring home Indonesian haj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia continued to suffer delays yesterday, with most flights arriving way behind schedule. But the delays were shorter than the up-to-19-hour delays of the first flights bringing home pilgrims Wednesday and Thursday.

Cigarettes smuggled from RI SINGAPORE (AFP): A Singapore court imposed a record fine of S$9.25 million (US$6.6 million) on a man who pleaded guilty to smuggling two tons of cigarettes from Indonesia, a report said yesterday. Fong Weng Liong, 42, who was also jailed for two years, will have to serve an additional five years in jail if he cannot pay the fine, the Straits Times reported.

Indonesians conquer Mt. Everest JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian climbers reached the top of Mt. Everest (8,848 meters) for the first time yesterday at 3.15 p.m. The successful climbers were Sergeant Misirin and Corporal Asmujiono of Indonesia's Special Forces and their Russian coach. They were part of a 16-member team consisting of 10 Special Forces' officers and six nature lovers from the University of Indonesia, Wanadri and FPTI. They left Indonesia in March and will return in May.

Flower business blooms in the city Time and distance will become less important constraints in communication among people with advanced technology. But those in the growing flower and plant business know that flowers remain among the simplest way to express what words cannot. The Jakarta Post reporters Devi M. Asmarani, IGGP Bayu Ismoyo, Imanuddin, Kosasih Deradjat, Primastuti Handayani, Riyadi and Sri Wahyuni, look at this promising business and what still has to be done.

Norquist takes third round lead at Satelindo Golf Open JAKARTA (JP): Seven birdie putts gave American Gerry Norquist the sole lead by two strokes on 209 (71 69 69) after yesterday's third round of the Satelindo Indonesia Golf Open championship at the Jagorawi course near here. Norquist, who started the day in fourth place at 140, three shots behind overnight leader Craig Parry of Australia, birdied the 2nd, 6th and 7th, where he dropped putts from 30 feet and 35 feet respectively.

Caring more about packaging than... JAKARTA (JP): I look around and notice that these days people care more about the packaging rather than the content. Just take a look at some ladies decked in their Armani suits, Gucci shoes and Prada handbags. They want to show that they are somebody. Most of the time, if you talk to them, they don't know much about what's going on around them, let alone talking about what is happening in this world.

Tommy denies taking advantages as president's son JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Hutomo Mandala Putra denies that being the son of President Soeharto gives him the advantage of winning major projects in Indonesia. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Fortune magazine, Soeharto's youngest son, known as Tommy, acknowledged that it was not unusual for him to receive special treatment from government officials. "I have the advantage, especially when I want to meet with government officials.

Freedom of expression pressed The International Freedom to Publish Committee of the Association of American Publishers strongly condemns the verdict and sentence handed down to Andi Syahputra, printer of the underground magazine Suara Independen (Voice of Independence), and calls on the government of Indonesia to cease its assault on free expression. On April 7, Syahputra was convicted in Jakarta District Court of insulting the President and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Taman Bunga is a vast collection of flowers CIPANAS, West Java (JP): It was 8:15 a.m on a public holiday. The flower park had not opened for the day, but some visitors had already arrived. They parked their cars and waited for the clock to strike 9 a.m., when the gate would open. They walked around the parking area, which was adorned with neat flower beds. Some posed for pictures among the flowers, while some took a rest and relaxed after the long drive to the park.

Decorative plant rental business is blooming By Sri Wahyuni JAKARTA (JP): Starting a business doesn't always require lots of capital. Take two entrepreneurs, Mauritius L. Budi and Iin Hasim, catering to the promising markets of decorative plant rentals and floral arrangements. Budi, art director and owner of Maurist Florist in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, started to make a business out of his hobby in 1986. He had just Rp 2 million to set up his firm.

Fire destroys Miss Tjitjih playhouse JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta's Miss Tjitjih play house, which was set up in 1930, was burnt down yesterday in a fire which also razed at least 350 houses on Jl. Soeprapto, Cempaka Baru, Central Jakarta. The center moved several times before moving to the building in 1987. At least 800 families became homeless including about 60 actors' families but no casualties were reported. The buildings destroyed included about 50 small business including many garment makers.

Florist grows business from small beginnings By Sri Wahyuni JAKARTA (JP): Growing flowers and plants is serious business for Iin Hasim, a successful florist in Jakarta. The 60-year-old now runs her own company, PT Inkarla, which employs more than 100 staff. Her talent with plants has brought her to the Presidential Palace every Independence Day since 1985 to provide floral decorations for the ceremonies.

Unspoiled East Timor is beautiful for all the wrong Text by Dini S. Djalal, photos by Arief Suhardiman DILI, East Timor (JP): "We don't get many tourists around here," the taxi driver said as he took a turn down another empty street. I smiled sheepishly and asked him to head to the souvenir shop. Feeling safe with my guidebook-carrying identity, I continued taking photos of the dreary sights. But at the traffic light, reflex prompted me to drop my camera.

The sticky business of making a living in West Bogor Text and photos by P.J. Leo BOGOR, West Java (JP): Traditional edibles such as tahu, have stood up well to the onslaught of foreign foods. Tahu, or tofu varies in both size and quality. You can buy it from vendors at the traffic lights, in warungs and in classy Chinese and Indonesian restaurants. Most people know that tofu is made from soybeans, but not much about the production process.