History repeated Politics is the art of possibility but in Indonesia it has more often appeared as the agony of frustration. The feeling is seemingly shared by most of the voters in last year's general election, who pinned their hopes for political reform on the changes promised by contestants from the two official opposition parties. Change was not expected from Golkar, the ruling faction.

Nissan recycles TOKYO: Nissan plans to recycle 90 percent of parts from scrapped cars, on a weight basis, for new models introduced in and after 2000. The plan is based on an initiative drawn up last year by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, aiming to raise the recycling ratio to 90 percent for all car models to be marketed from 2002. Toyota has already drawn up its own action plan which will surpass the ministry-instructed target by two years.

Harjanto made German consul SURABAYA (JP): The government of Germany has appointed Indonesian Harjanto Tjokrosetio as its honorary consul here, in a bid to improve economic and cultural relations between the European power and East Java. Harjanto was sworn in at a reception Thursday hosted by German Ambassador Heinrich Seemann, who expressed hope that the appointment will result in increased German investment in East Java. German investment in Indonesia is concentrated in East Java.

Student rallies at campuses not wrong: Sjafrie JAKARTA (JP): The city military commander, Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, said yesterday that staging rallies at campuses was not wrong but he encouraged students to make their protests through the appropriate channels. "I suggest that young college students communicate their aspirations to those (certain people or institutions) who have to listen to them.