Tougher times for Thai elephants David Longstreath BANGKOK (AP): Elephants were once big magic for Thais. At the turn of the century, an estimated 100,000 roamed the countryside. They played a major role in everything from art to language and were revered. Thai temples are adorned with Ganesha, the elephant Hindu god. Today, elephants are treated more like oversized curiosities in a carnival show than with the respect they used to command. And there are only about 5,000 to 6,000.

Forming an opposition in Indonesian govt Membangun Oposisi: Agenda-Agenda Perubahan Politik Masa Depan (Forming Opposition: The Agenda of Future Political Changes); By Eep Saefulloh Fatah; PT. Remaja Rosdakarya, Bandung 1999; xxviii and 216 pages; Rp 17,500 JAKARTA (JP): Like it or not, the Indonesian era of reform has created a remarkable blast of democratization. Since the power of the New Order withered, this country has gone through a drastic political transition.

Heri Dono surrealistically ridicules political realities By Pandaya JAKARTA (JP): When Soeharto ruled Indonesia with an iron hand for 32 years, he made enemies of artists who dared to express the truth of sociopolitical realities in their own way. In the 1980s, numerous art performances were banned on the pretext that the plays could stir "social unrest" or "sow hatred toward the government" that would eventually create instability in the development Soeharto pursued at any cost.

Guess What? A Javanese princess is usually portrayed as an elegant, soft- spoken noblewoman who is universally regarded with awe. But the stereotype does not completely fit Surakarta princess Koes Moertiyah, who loves to position herself as a populist politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). During the May 19 to June 4 campaign, she was a political butterfly. She would appear on stage, five months pregnant, to address party supporters.

'Just a little wheel in the IMF machinery' By Yenni Djahidin WASHINGTON, DC (JP): For a man who has brought billions of dollars into the Indonesian economy, his appearance is hardly glamorous and his office looks simple and neat. Dr. Hubert Neiss, the Asia and Pacific Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), gives the impression of a quiet and serious person, but one that always has a smile on his face.

Yimika villagers make salt using unique methods Text and photos by P.J. LEO WAMENA, Irian Jaya (JP): White, pristine salt, a mineral substance in the form of grains used to season and preserve food, has been considered a valuable commodity since time began. What we know of salt, in the form of minute cubicle grains, is that it has its origins from sea water. However, in Yimika village, Wamena, Irian Jaya, locals do not make salt from the sea water.

Up to 15 killed in Aceh LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh (Reuters): Up to 15 men died on Saturday in Indonesia's troubled Aceh province in a battle between police and separatists, police and rebels said. The clash occurred mid-morning as an elite police unit patrolled near Matang Sejuk village in North Aceh, around 80 km (50 miles) east of Lhokseumawe, the official said. The area is a stronghold of the pro-independence Free Aceh Movement.

India is seeking bilateral solution to Kashmir conflict NEW DELHI (Reuters): Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said on Saturday the border conflict in Kashmir was a bilateral issue that would be resolved between New Delhi and Islamabad, the Press Trust of India reported.

U.S. names new envoy COLOGNE, Germany (DPA): Robert Gelbard, the American special envoy for Bosnia, has been named the next U.S. ambassador to Indonesia, the office of U.S. President Bill Clinton announced Friday during the Group of Eight summit meeting in Cologne. Gelbard, a career diplomat, was named special envoy to Bosnia in 1997. His previous postings included chief of the U.S.

The Nagas: A tribe lost in history By YR Prahista BANDUNG, West Java: Visitors to Kampung Naga, a small hamlet located in Tasikmalaya regency, often wonder about the origins of the residents, the Naga tribe. So far, there has been hardly anybody who can tell exactly where they came from and why they are called Suku Naga, the Dragon Tribe. Even the local office of the Ministry of Education and Culture cannot give any answers.

Biak's tourist heyday: A story of the glory days in the past By Zita Meirina BIAK, Irian Jaya (Antara): From aboard the aircraft approaching Frans Kasiepo Airport, the sprawling islands dotting a clear blue ocean are colorful, almost like rainbows. The beautiful panorama can briefly be enjoyed before the aircraft lands on Biak Island, whose main town bears the same name.

Three Indonesian judokas compete in Asian C'ships JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Judo Association (PJSI) is sending three judokas to compete in the Asian Judo Championships in Wenzhou, China, in an attempt to qualify the athletes for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. PJSI deputy secretary-general Aji Kusmantri said after meeting National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar the three judokas had to finish among the top three at the Asian championships to qualify for the Olympics.

The whole-in-one vacation at Ciputra Golf Villa Surabaya When you visit Surabaya, your best move is to stay at Ciputra Golf Villa. Nestled in the elite fully integrated satellite city CitraRaya, the Surabaya business district can be reached in 30 minutes and Surabaya airport toll road is just 10 minutes away by car. Each Villa unit is fully furnished with two or three bedrooms, dining room, living room, kitchen, private garage and servants quarters.

Mahathir unveils crony list in counterattack KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's party, trying to bury damaging allegations of cronyism, on Saturday released a list of big government projects it said were awarded to family and friends of his former deputy. The list of 27 projects valued at 34 billion ringgit ($9 billion) was posted at the annual general assembly of Mahathir's United Malays National Organization (UMNO).

Elect Muslim son as president: PPP JAKARTA (JP): United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz expressed hope on Saturday that all Muslim members of People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) would stand united in the country's search for and election of a Muslim son as president. Speaking to journalists after meeting with President B.J. Habibie at his private residence in Patra Kuningan, South Jakarta, Hamzah urged the Muslim members not to be swayed by their faction's position.

New restaurant marks new life for Jasmine By Yenni Djahidin WASHINGTON, DC (JP): She made news in May last year when her house burned down during the anti-Chinese riots that forced former president Soeharto to step down. Today her name is written on a sign hanging outside an Indonesian restaurant in a suburb of Washington, DC. Jasmine Wibisono, the daughter of economist Christianto Wibisono, decided to leave the country after the tragedy.

Bagong still alive Had I not read an article Butet Kartaredjasa dreams of a saner Indonesia in The Jakarta Post's June 13, 1999 edition (page 10), I would not have known that the Post made one small but intolerable mistake and another small mistake which was tolerable. "The fifth child of a noted dancer, choreographer and painter, the late Bagong Kussudiardjo..." (column 1, paragraph 6). "He credited...

Political leaders give assurance to IMF JAKARTA (JP): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) first deputy managing director, Stanley Fischer, expressed optimism on Saturday that Indonesia's next government would continue with IMF-sponsored economic recovery programs. Fischer said he had received assurances from Indonesia's top political leaders that they would remain committed to the IMF- prescribed economic programs.

Dagadu products flourish amid fake threat By Tjahjono Ep JAKARTA (JP): Yogyakarta is popularly known as gudeg city after the popular food, student city for its numerous schools and cultural city for its rich cultural life. One day, it may also be known as Dagadu city. Dagadu is a new but familiar word in Yogyakarta's tourist industry.

Painter Juni Wulandari moves from society to family By Chandra Johan YOGYAKARTA (JP): Change is a common thing for a painter, even though not all painters are willing to change, especially if their works are already popular. Changing could create new problems. An artist needs guts to change as they have to face the risk of losing fans. It is therefore interesting to observe the solo exhibition of Juni Wulandari in Bentara Budaya, Yogyakarta.

Motinggo Busye dies at 62 JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has lost one of its most prolific writers, Motinggo Busye, who died at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital here at 3 a.m on Friday. Survived by his wife Lashmi and six children, Busye died of liver and heart complications due to diabetes. Born in Telukbetung, Lampung, as Boestami Bin Djalid Bawazeer, Busye also dedicated his life to the development of the movie industry. He started writing at the age of 11 and wrote his first film script at 14.

Building an Indonesian Hall of Shame JAKARTA (JP): "We can't even scratch our head without the IMF telling us which part of the head to start with," said a contributor to my old friend Andreas, who was in the process of designing the first Indonesian Hall of Shame. The said contributor sent his poster to be displayed in the proposed hall of shame the way basketball supporters post their complaints after their favorite team loses.

Iran's cultural heritage to change image ESFAHAN, Iran (AFP): Dorothea, a 69-year-old German, stands mesmerized before the blue dome of the King's Mosque in Esfahan. Iran is counting on Dorothea Aschever and thousands like her to change the country's image abroad. "I was a little nervous about it before coming, but we have not had any problems during our stay," said Dorothea.