Soeharto still loved by the people: ABRI JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) dismissed suggestions yesterday that President Soeharto had lost the people's confidence because of the ongoing monetary crisis. ABRI spokesman Brig. Gen. A.

Dili can't confirm death of Santana JAKARTA (JP): Military officials in Dili, East Timor said yesterday it could not confirm reports that Fretilin separatist leader Coni Santana had died in a car accident because his body has not been found. "Until today, we have not received any report on the car accident that supposedly killed Santana on March 11," Dili military spokesman Col. J. Surya Prabowo, said as quoted by Antara. Prabowo said he believes the reports are merely rumors.

Asia-Pacific may lose up to 12 million tourists MANILA (AFP): Asia-Pacific tourist spots can wave goodbye to up to 12 million tourists annually over the next three years amid the regional economic crisis, a World Tourism Organization (WTO) official predicted here yesterday.

No deal on new aid for RI TOKYO (Dow Jones): A senior Japanese finance ministry official said yesterday that no deals had been reached yet on either the Indonesia corporate debt problem or to restart the US$43 billion aid program between Indonesia and the International Monetary Fund.

Worse over, except Indonesia CHICAGO (Reuters): The worst may be over for most Asian economies with the exception of Indonesia, according to P. Jan Kalff, chairman of the board of managing directors for the Dutch bank holding company ABN AMRO Holding NV. "I think you have seen the worst of it for almost all countries except one -- Indonesia," Kalff told reporters Monday in Chicago.

Asian markets end mixed as Japan readies for reform TOKYO (AFP): Asian markets closed mixed yesterday as Japan readied for its Big Bang financial reforms to kick in with high hopes that they would boost the world's second biggest economy. Japanese share prices closed 1.6 percent higher as public funds were injected to lift the market on the final day of the current fiscal year, Tokyo-based brokers said.

Gambling, not confidence So, a bunch of foreign investors, especially large fund managers, are strongly interested in buying shares in the country's publicly listed companies, which, as our esteemed minister of finance refers to as "this strong interest indicates their continuing confidence in Indonesia" (The Jakarta Post, March 31). How's that for pure, unmitigated twaddle! It's nothing but speculation, period.