China's H1 GDP to grow 8% BEIJING (Reuters): In a sign that China is defying the global economic slowdown, the government has forecast gross domestic product will grow near or at 8 percent in the first half of this year, a state newspaper reported on Tuesday. The Financial News quoted a preliminary forecast by the State Statistical Bureau as saying economic growth in the first half of this year could "roughly match" that of last year.

Asian currencies mixed late amid debate on Fed rate meeting SINGAPORE (Dow Jones): Asian currencies were mixed late Tuesday as participants refrained from taking aggressive positions in the market, amid uncertainty over the magnitude of an anticipated U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut, dealers said. Position squaring and the yen's gains the past two days bolstered the South Korean won, Singapore dollar and New Taiwan dollar, dealers said.

Govt rejects referendum in Irian Jaya JAKARTA (JP): The government turned down on Tuesday the Papuan Presidium Council's demand for a self-determination referendum in Irian Jaya, saying the troubled province remains part of Indonesia. Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. said the government would instead continue to encourage all sides, including the Irianese people, to seek a comprehensive solution to all problems related to the easternmost province. "It is better not to further consider the demand.

Stock quotations on JSX Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on June 26, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume --------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,475 -25 132,500 Adindo Foresta 115 -5 270,000 AGIS 140 -5 354,500 Alakasa 150 0 0 Alfa Retailindo 1,050 0 81,000 Alter Abadi 80 -15 15,000 Alumindo Light 625 25 1,000 Andhi Chandra 1,975 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 150 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,000 0 1,353,500 Apac Citra 330 -5 35,000 Aqua Golden...

Asian wheat demand seen steady PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters): Asian wheat consumption is unlikely to drop in the coming months despite higher world prices, a senior U.S. trade official said on Monday. Rising prices -- thanks to declining world wheat stocks -- are unlikely to deter importers such as Japan and South Korea, although other Asian countries might reduce demand, said Alan Tracy, president of the U.S. Wheat Associates.

Nureyev the star comes down to earth By Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): Put it down to a touch of exaggeration derived from nostalgia and love when one of the commentators in Nureyev: The Last Ten Years, a film which is part of the current exhibit of memorabilia of the late dancer at the National Museum, remarks, "He was bigger than Elvis, bigger than the Beatles" when he defected from the Soviet Union in the early 1960s.

RP '01 GDP seen at 2.6% MANILA (Dow Jones): The Philippine economy is expected to grow 2.6% year-to-year in 2001, a rate well below the government's target of at least 3.3%, according to a regional economic think tank funded by the Australian government. The forecast was made by the Asia Recovery Information Center, or ARIC, in an update to its March survey of East Asia's economies. At that time, it forecast the Philippines' gross domestic product expanding 2.7% in 2001.

Asia in danger of slipping into a recession: UBS Warburg SINGAPORE (AFP): Some Asian countries have a high risk of slipping into a recession because of the fragility of the Japanese economy, investment bank UBS Warburg said Tuesday. UBS Warburg's London-based chief economist George Magnus told a briefing the prospects of a recovery in Asia are not yet fully formed. "I think we still are on a cusp of a recession.

Myanmar-Thai ties 'back to normal' YANGON (AFP): Relations between Myanmar and Thailand are returning to normal after a rocky period where opposition groups attempted to "destroy" the friendship, a senior member of Myanmar's junta said on Tuesday. The regime's number three, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, said Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit earlier this month helped heal the rift.

Drug therapy essential in treating lupus By Maria Endah Hulupi JAKARTA (JP): "Rita" was an active young woman who woke up one morning complaining of painful joints. She felt better after seeing a rheumatologist, but a few days later an awful rash developed on her face and she had a mouth ulcer. Her face swelled and she suffered kidney problems. Doctors gave her different diagnosis and different courses of drugs. The nun became depressed, feeling that God had abandoned her.

Rabies claims three lives KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Rabies has killed three people here over the past two weeks, and infected dozens of other who are now receiving intensive medical care. The Eddy Sabara General Hospital told Antara that there had been 49 dog-bite cases recorded since January. Eighteen people, including an infant, were now being treated in the hospital.

Female independence activist dies JAKARTA (JP): Independence movement activist, Sihwati Nawangwulan, who is also the wife of former Indonesian minister for foreign affairs and ambassador to the United Nations Ruslan Abdulgani, passed away here on Tuesday morning at the age of 85. Sihwati, who received the "Guerrilla Star" medal in 1992 for her heroic involvement in the Indonesian independence movement, was buried at the Kalibata Hero Cemetery in South Jakarta at 1:15 p.m.

Why not resign gracefully? From Koran Tempo Politics is merely a game and a fact of life. Even Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid has become the president of the Republic of Indonesia. Gus Dur himself once said: "Who would have thought that a man who is unable to read can become a president". It is not unusual for a blind man to by heart the Holy Koran and become a cleric. But Gus Dur is the first blind man on this planet to lead a nation. This is a great honor indeed bestowed on Gus Dur.

BI's forex reserves up JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia said on Tuesday that the country's foreign exchange reserves slightly increased to US$28.67 billion as of June 22, compared to $28.50 billion in the previous week. The central bank said in its weekly indicator report that the increase was primarily due to oil and gas revenues. It added that net international reserves rose to Rp 127.96 trillion, from Rp 126.58 trillion, based on an exchange rate of Rp 7,000 per U.S. dollar.

Reports reflect a changed Australia By Rob Goodfellow WOLLONGONG, Australia (JP): The positive reaction of the Australian press to the visit of President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) demonstrates an ever-maturing level of sensitivity, insight and analysis into the complex bilateral relationship between Australia and Indonesia.

U.S., Belgium to supply arms to East Timor army DILI (Reuters): The United States and Belgium have agreed to sell East Timor weapons, including more than 1,200 assault rifles, for its new defense force, a senior UN official said on Tuesday. The weapons worth $1.6 million would be paid for out of the territory's current annual budget and would not be donated as aid, said the UN's Deputy Special Representative for East Timor, Jean-Christian Cady.

Arun work put on hold after bomb blast JAKARTA (JP): American oil and gas company PT ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc. has suspended works for the start-up of its Arun gas fields in Aceh, following a bomb explosion at one of its gas pipelines, an ExxonMobil official said on Tuesday. ExxonMobil spokeswoman Julia Tumengkol said the company suspended a section of its current repair works at its Arun gas facilities.

Fung to be nominated as assistant coach JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) will be nominating Fung Permadi, a shuttler who is ranked number 17 in the world, who is currently playing for Chinese Taipei, as an assistant coach in its training center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

PSSI-McDonald's futsal team in Balikpapan JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI)- McDonald's Indonesia futsal team will hold a coaching clinic in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, to help promote the new sport. "We hope East Kalimantan, particularly Balikpapan, will become a center for futsal development and make the sport more popular on the island," said Cepi S.

Police shoot fleeing prisoner BOGOR (JP): Cianjur Police officers arrested four out of eight prisoners who had fled separate locations on Monday evening, police said on Tuesday. The police shot one of the four fleeing prisoners, Dadang Mustofa, as he attempted to resist police arrest, Bogor Police chief Sr. Comr. Taufiq Ridha said. "Dadang is a suspect for various robbery and battering cases here.

BI sees 4.5% to 5.5% growth in 2002 JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia predicted that the economy would enjoy higher growth of between 4.5 percent and 5.5 percent in 2002, compared to between 3 percent and 4 percent estimated for this year.

PRSI to hold polo event JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) will organize a water polo tournament to scout new talent and to prepare for the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. "We set up two teams, composed of players being groomed for the Games, to compete against 14 other teams," PRSI vice secretary-general Dadeng Kurnia was quoted as saying by Antara on Tuesday.