Oral English As an English teacher at a state senior high school in Sidoarjo, East Java, I would like to express my feelings on how many job seekers, whether university or high school graduates, are unable to communicate in English orally. These graduates may have been a product of the 1984 or the 1994 curriculum.

Guess What? Siswono Yudohusodo If one day you are appointed transmigration minister, get ready to peek into the needs of every household in far-flung areas of the archipelago. Siswono Yudohusodo had his share of headaches when he held the job in a previous cabinet. "The span of control is so immense," he said at a discussion Wednesday at The Jakarta Post.

Foreign investors sought to rescue TV stations By Sylvia Gratia M. Nirang and Dwi Atmanta JAKARTA (JP): Television audiences may have noticed that they are not being subjected to as many ads interrupting their favorite shows these days. If you haven't noticed this, television stations certainly have since advertising is their lifeblood.

TV association out to end old bugaboo of self-censorship JAKARTA (JP): When news reports of a recent congress of television journalists was aired by their colleagues, they were distinctly different from the usual humdrum segments devoted to the goings-on of political organizations. The end of the congress on Aug. 9 marked a historic event with the founding of the union Ikatan Jurnalis Televisi Indonesia (Indonesian Television Journalists Association).

Soerjadi's camp blocked by rivals JAKARTA (JP): At least 60 pro-Soerjadi Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) members were blocked yesterday by pro-Megawati supporters at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport from boarding their flight to Palu, Central Sulawesi, to attend their party congress. The incident prompted the delegation to take refuge at the city police headquarters. Police sources said the pro-Soerjadi delegates arrived at the airport at about 4 a.m. in two buses.

Sanyo By Idrus Beneath the radio loudspeaker that had been rigged up in the village square sat Kadir, a fried-peanut vendor, whose basket was full of hot peanuts but whose pockets were empty. Over his head an oil-lamp flickered, like a beacon far out to sea. The air that night was so hot it was difficult to breathe. There were no takers for his peanuts; the ice-cream man was drawing the potential buyers instead.

TV team strive to put the bite in news By Edith Hartanto JAKARTA (JP): Television journalism is a relatively new profession here, essentially ushered in with the advent of five private TV stations since 1989. While print media employees often needle TV crews and say they have lot less to worry about with only a few minutes devoted to news items, behind-the-screen anecdotes reveal the hectic reality.

Sumadiyasa's 'emotion' on display DENPASAR (JP): Maps of Paris from a bewildering first-time visit were among inspirations for painter Made Sumadiyasa, who is now displaying his works in Ubud. Sumadiyasa points to a drawing with a blackened map of the city in his studio. "That was when I was lost in Paris. I didn't know who to talk to, the French only speak French." His exhibition of 100 works is being held in Museum Neka, Galeri Bamboo and Galeri Komeneka, all in Ubud.

Skeletons excavated from North Aceh grave By Pandaya LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh (JP): The skeletal remains of 12 bodies were dug up yesterday from a single grave at Bukit Sentang, North Aceh, lending further credence to local people's claims that the site had been used for burial of victims of military atrocities. The grave is only one of at least three pits on the remote small hill that locals said was used by the military to dump the bodies of suspected supporters of the Free Aceh movement in 1991.

Beijing tells Indonesia to act over ethnic violence BEIJING (AFP): China warned Indonesia's chief of police Saturday to stop prevaricating and take action against those responsible for atrocities committed against ethnic Chinese during civil unrest in May. "Chinese all over the world are waiting for justice to be done in Indonesia so that the souls of the victims can rest in peace," the official China Daily said in an editorial.

Amien Rais replaced as Muhammadiyah chairman JAKARTA (JP): Amien Rais was replaced yesterday as chairman of Muhammadiyah, an influential Moslem organization, because of his impending chairmanship of a new political party. He will be replaced by deputy chairman Syafi'i Ma'arif, who will serve as acting chairman till the next leadership meeting.

Inferior TV reruns keep couch potatoes happy By Antariksawan Jusuf JAKARTA (JP): This year has been marked by almost constant changes in scheduled TV programming, bringing about its own inevitable change in viewer habits. Before the crisis, when the national economy grew annually at between 6 percent and 7 percent, changes in the set lineup were rare.

Chugging along in nostalgic tour of teak forest By Tjahjono EP and Sumanto CEPU, Central Java (JP): The old locomotive moved on, its roar breaking the tranquility of a teak forest in Cepu. A number of Caucasians sat in the railway coach pulled by a 1928 German locomotive made by Berliner Maschinenbau. The steam locomotive usually covers a distance of only 35 kilometers, taking tourists into the teak forest or simply allowing them to experience the 1940s-era coach.

Jakarta today is a tale of two cities JAKARTA (JP): What difference can two months make to a vibrant city like Jakarta? In one sense, none at all. To a casual visitor on his first visit to this great city, everything seems normal. Five-star hotels are still charging their US$100-plus rates, though haggling may get some discounts. Nearby shopping malls are still crowded, especially on weekends. The notorious Jakarta traffic jams persist, as does their corollary, the three-in-one restriction.

Guess What? Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman Imagine Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman among a gaggle of journalists jostling for a precious quote. Hard to envision, perhaps, but true. "I may not look like it, but I was once a journalist," he said last Wednesday. He claimed he was quite familiar with what goes on in the newsroom after a stint at the Bandung-based Pikiran Rakyat in the 1960s.

Time for Surabaya artists to protest arts council By Sirikit Syah SURABAYA, East Java (JP): Councils aimed at fostering the arts in each province are coming under scrutiny and being targeted in protests just like local administrative heads. In Jakarta, artists' protests led to the resignation of seven members of the arts council, among others those alleged to be largely irrelevant to artists. Members were appointed, not elected, and were accused of not interacting with artists.

Sukraj, Rae set new records in track and field simulation JAKARTA (JP): Two new national records put an eleventh-hour spark into the final day of an otherwise lackluster track and field simulation at the Senayan Madya Stadium yesterday. Sukraj Singh of North Sumatra snapped a string of disappointing performances with a throw of 16.46 meters in the men's shot put. His effort measured 36 centimeters longer than the national best he held for only a few months.

Setting 'modern Indonesian art' straight Het Ideaal Van Een Moderne Indonesische Schilderkunst, 1900-1995 (The Ideal of Modern Indonesian Painting, 1900-1995); By Helena Spanjaard; Helena Spanjaard, The Netherlands; 276 pp + xii; 49.50 guilders AMSTERDAM (JP): Helena Spanjaard's study on modern Indonesian painting has been discussed for a long time in art circles. It is finally available in Indonesia, although in Dutch but with summaries in Indonesian and English.

Image blurs on future of TV stations Tomorrow, the nation's television industry celebrates its 36th anniversary in a glum mood, due to an unabated economic crisis. The Jakarta Post team of Ahmad Junaidi, Edith Hartanto, Sylvia Gratia M. Nirang, Kornelius Purba, Kosasih Deradjat and Dwi Atmanta, and contributor Antariksawan Jusuf, look at the issue.

60 rebels surrender ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): At least 60 rebels surrendered yesterday to military forces in the southern Philippines ahead of a new round of peace talks next week. Mohammad Murad, military chief of the Moslem seccesionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said the rebels were presented to Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado who was visiting an army infantry brigade in nearby South Cotabato province.

Two die in stampede near Estrada's office MANILA (AP): Men breaking into line set off a stampede yesterday at a presidential office that offers jobs and help for the poor, killing at least two people and injuring dozens, authorities and witnesses said. The staff at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center said two women died on arrival at the emergency room and two elderly women have been hospitalized for bruises and cuts. Dozens of people were hurt in the stampede.