Flurry of army weddings AUCKLAND (AFP): New Zealand soldiers about to join the Australian-led peacekeeping force for East Timor were rushing to get married over the weekend ahead of their departure Monday. The flurry of weddings -- nine this weekend -- was triggered by news New Zealand soldiers would be leaving for East Timor within days. Several young soldiers told Television Three they had brought their weddings forward because of uncertainty about when they would return from duty.

Indonesian Dance Festival brings impressive offerings Text and photos By Mukhti JAKARTA (JP): A female dancer suddenly appears from behind the stage, moving her body fast and then slow. Sometimes she stops her movements. The dancer, Korean-born Sen Hea Ha, illustrates a place of repose where a woman discovers her spiritual communal space and time within the complexities of modern life through her piece Lux Aeterna.

Humanitarian aid for East Timor We express our great concern about the fate of the people of East Timor. Hundreds of thousands of East Timorese people are displaced. Many of them took refuge in the mountains and the jungles. These internally displaced people, most of them women and children, are without food, without medical care and without shelter. A major disaster of starvation might occur if immediate humanitarian aid is denied to these people.

UN force chief to visit Dili on Sunday By Budiman Moerdijat DILI, East Timor (JP): An advance team of the UN-approved International Force in East Timor (Interfet) will arrive on Sunday for a three-hour visit here, the Head of the Restoration Operation Command in East Timor, Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri said on Saturday. "I still have not officially heard anything from Jakarta about the arrival of the advance team. But I've been told by the Australian Embassy defense attache that at 1:00 p.m.

Fashion shows step out on cafe circuit By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): A fashion show is no longer an exclusive event for Jakarta's fashion society. Fashion designers used to present their latest creations at a gala dinner in a five star hotel ballroom with selected VIP guests. Thanks to the increasing fashion consciousness of Jakartans, fashion shows now are a form of regular entertainment held in a variety of places, from hotels bars to street cafes.

Eddie Nalapraya reelected as IPSI chief JAKARTA (JP): Eddie Marzuki Nalapraya was reelected as chairman of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) in the three-day national congress at the Pencak Silat Training Center in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta. Eddie received support on Saturday from four of five regions representing IPSI's 26 provincial chapters in the country and representatives of pencak silat schools. He will serve another four-year term.

Indian dolls reveal the pageant of life JAKARTA (JP): Pained by present-day politics? Sick of counting stocks and shares? Stories of terrible terrorists becoming tiresome? Take a break then, and escape those streets of Jakarta that lead to financial pursuits alone for the sanctuary of the National Museum, where the vivid color of an exhibition of dolls from India is bound to return the smile to your soul. Dolls inspired by Indian women and the deliriously colored clothes they wear.

Viagra and politics of desire in Bali By Degung Santikarma DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The telephone number, connecting callers to an unlisted mobile phone, is busy day and night. No surprise, perhaps -- this is, after all, Bali, the land not only of beaches and the Barong dance, but of brokers and buyers of almost every imaginable commodity.

E. Timorese reporter tells of his great escape This is an account of an East Timorese journalist's escape from his homeland early this month. His story is typical of those fleeing persecution from pro-Indonesia militias. The journalist requested that his identity be concealed, because he fears for the safety of family members still in East Timor. Dili was already very tense on Wednesday (Sept. 1). People were talking about a massive sweeping operation by pro-Indonesia militias.

All Indonesian shuttlers sent home in ABC semis JAKARTA (Agencies): Indonesia's title hopes were snuffed out in the semifinals of the US$136,000 JVC Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Lone remaining men's singles representative Marlev Mainaky failed to fulfill his ambition to go one better than his final spot last year, losing to third seeded Malaysian Ong Ewe Hock 3- 15, 15-5, 7-15.

Better education system: A key to success Pasca-Indonesia Pasca-Einstein: Esei-esei tentang Kebudayaan Indonesia Abad ke-21 (Post Indonesia, Post Einstein, Essays on Indonesian Culture for 21st Century); By Y.B. Mangunwijaya; Kanisius, Yogyakarta, 1999; 335 pages JAKARTA (JP): Y.B. Mangunwijaya was a Catholic priest and national figure who was concerned with poor people.

Rexy urges PBSI to treat shuttlers better By Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): Rexy Ronald Mainaky is a familiar name to badminton fanatics, not only in Indonesia but throughout the world. With partner Ricky Ahmad Subagja, Rexy managed to stay on top for more than three years starting 1992. Rexy, 31, started his career in badminton in childhood thanks to father Jantje Rudolf Mainaky, who passed away in 1993 before his son's success at winning the 1996 Olympics gold medal.

Dian places acting career ahead of babies By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): In the film To Die For, actress Nicole Kidman decides not to have a baby for fear that the pregnancy would ruin her career as a television anchor. Indonesian actress Dian Nitami, in real life, has also delayed having a baby for the sake of her position as one of the country's leading television stars. Dian Meutia Nitami, who turned 28 last June, was recently married to actor Anjasmara.

Who is to be kissed? From Interaktif It is characteristic of President Habibie to kiss visitors on both cheeks, both on formal and informal occasions. A handshake is followed by a kiss on both cheeks, regardless whether it is a man or a woman. People wonder if it is Indonesian, European, American or Middle Eastern culture. It creates a certain intimacy that seemingly leaves a deep impression on the persons involved. Wait a minute! Not every visitor can become the recipient.

Planet Hollywood, DHL raise Rp 170m from Charity Golf Tournament There are many golf tournaments held in Jakarta all year round. However, very few can claim to be held for a truly worthwhile cause. Planet Hollywood and DHL have made an exception to the rule. This year, they staged their 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the prestigious Rancamaya Golf & Country Club in Bogor on Sept. 9. In September last year, Planet Hollywood and DHL launched their 1st Annual Charity Golf Tournament.

Spotlight Photo A: Art JP/msa ART ADMIRERS: Former Indonesian ambassador for Australia Sabam Siagian (right) and Erasmus Huis' councellor for cultural and press affairs director Geeskelien Wolters admire one of Kassian Cephas' photographs after opening the exhibition titled Transfixed Spectator: Kassian Cephas, Pioneer Photography. The event, which was held at Erasmus Huis on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta on Wednesday evening, will run through Oct. 8.

Call for friends of the arts made within oil society By Julianti Parani JAKARTA (JP): Art lovers of the performing arts society know well the high quality of Retno Maruti and her Padnecwara Dance group performances. They first appeared in the 1970s at the Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta Arts Center.

'Wild Wild West,' a wild special effects ride By Tam Notosusanto JAKARTA (JP): Is there really any American or British television series left unmade for the big screen? Every year, we witness how Hollywood digs up the tube culture's treasured past and comes up with repackaged material that are quintessential summer blockbusters. That has been part of Hollywood's own growing recycled culture: remakes of TV series, remakes of other movies and re-remakes of other movies.

Anwar's witness to wed KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The prosecution's key witness in Malaysian dissident Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial says he plans to marry a college student with whom he allegedly had illicit sexual contact, news reports said Saturday. Azizan Abu Bakar, Anwar's former family driver, was arrested Thursday and charged in an Islamic court with "close proximity" - a sexual offense - after police found him in a room with 22-year- old Norhayati Saad.

Kasongan earthenware center survives crisis Text and pictures by Tarko Sudiarno YOGYAKARTA (JP): Farmers in Kasongan, a poor village in Bantul regency, Yogyakarta, once spent their leisure time making traditional earthenware products such as vases, stoves, piggy banks and household vessels. Times change, and now, although the village still produces earthenware articles, the situation is considerably different.

Proindependence E. Timorese students hounded in Yogyakarta By Singgir Kartana and Tjahjono Ep YOGYAKARTA (JP): Proindependence East Timorese students living in Yogyakarta are not happy. Since the announcement of the results of the Aug. 30 ballot in favor of the proindependence group, they have been terrorized by prointegration people. Tragically, these students were forced to leave the East Timorese students dormitory and have nowhere else to go for shelter.

UN praises TNI's help, but wants aid limits lifted JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations praised the Indonesian Military (TNI) on Friday for its cooperation in distributing humanitarian aid to displaced persons in East Timor. However, it also expressed hope that Jakarta would cease restrictions on the sending of food aid to the more than 170,00 refugees in East Nusa Tenggara.

Spirituality through the art of 'macapat' By Muhamad Achadi YOGYAKARTA (JP): To the Javanese, traditional songs, or tembang, are not simply a means of comfort. If they are accompanied by rhythmical gamelan music and bodily movement in dances, these traditional songs may become magic spells of sorts to bring an individual to a mystical level.

Traumatized East Timorese tell of grieving tales By Singgir Kartana YOGYAKARTA (JP): Some people might wonder why almost 80 percent of East Timorese voted for independence. Why did they do it even though for more than 23 years they have received large amounts of funding from the Indonesian government to develop the region? Their choice might surprise those who have never been to East Timor or those who do not really know about their condition.

Book review Correction: The review of Bertahan Hidup di Gulag Indonesia (Surviving Indonesian Gulag), which appeared on this page in last Sunday's edition, was written by Pamusuk Eneste. The name was erroneously omitted from the copy. We apologize for the error. -- Editor