Indonesia's debt Regarding Hadi Soesastro's interview on the Indonesian debt situation (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 30, 2001: Demand for debt cuts will raise new problems), I would like to make a few comments. First, it is not correct that the Paris Club does not provide partial debt cancellation to countries that are as indebted and in the same income category as Indonesia.

Police accused of abusing students JAKARTA (JP): The police physically abused two student activists arrested during a demonstration protesting the recent fuel price hike, their lawyer told a court here on Wednesday. Heppy Sebayang, the lawyer, said during the trial of the two students that several police officers had violated the students' human rights during their arrest, questioning and detention.

Australian teachers in Flores MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Australian Volunteers International will soon send English language teachers to several junior and senior high schools on the island of Flores. The head of Australian Volunteers International's representative office in East Nusa Tenggara, Leon Jones told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that the project was the realization of an agreement made by his organization with the provincial office of the Ministry of National Education.

Mega to unveil budget draft on Friday By Kanis Dursin JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri is expected to unveil the 2002 state budget draft on Friday, which is likely to have little impact in stimulating economic growth. Economists said that a relatively large amount of the budget would be allocated for servicing public debts, and little to financing development programs.

Rupiah Rates Sept.5 JP/11/Conversion Rupiah Rates Sept.5 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Yogyakarta to host EATOF meet YOGYAKARTA: Seven out of nine founding provinces of the East Asia Inter-Regional Forum (EATOF) have confirmed their attendance at the EATOF annual meeting to be held in Yogyakarta from Sept.9 to 12, 2001.

Askes' service unsatisfactory From Pikiran Rakyat My relative and his wife are both civil servants and holders of state health insurance scheme (Askes) cards. He is on the fourth wage scale and his wife is on the third. His wife underwent medical treatment as an in-patient at Al- Islam hospital on Jl.Soekarno-Hatta, Bandung, from Aug. 15, 2001, to Aug. 20, 2001. As members of Askes they at first hoped that the scheme would provide special assistance or services.

Youth attack shop-house site JAKARTA (JP): A nearly completed shop-house building was attacked by a group of youths on Jl. R.E. Martadinata in North Jakarta on Wednesday following a land dispute but no arrests were made following the incident. North Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Andi Chaeruddin said that when police arrived at the scene the rioters had already fled. "But we are still studying the case right now.

Local rights body proposed SURABAYA (JP): The East Java chapter of the National Awakening Party (PKB) proposed on Wednesday the establishment of a regional commission on human rights to uphold human rights in the province. "The establishment of such a regional commission is expected to help improve the upholding of the human rights, thereby convincing foreign investors intending to enter the province," Fathorrasyid, head of the PKB faction in the East Java legislative assembly, said.

House divided over retirement age for police JAKARTA (JP): Major factions in the House of Representatives special committee in charge of deliberating the bill on the National Police were divided over a proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age for police officers from 55 to 60 years old.

Scholars call for extensive change to system of govt JAKARTA (JP): Political analysts say that the current debate on constitutional reform will be fruitless unless it is accompanied by an exploration of an entirely new system of government. "We should put an end to the current MPR system as it can be used to restrict the people's sovereignty.

On refugee crisis Reference is made to Robin Goodfellow's article in The Jakarta Post on Sept 4, 2001 titled Howard fails to consult Indonesia on refugee crisis. While I disagree with many of the comments made by Mr.

Myanmar intelligence chief wraps up Thailand visit BANGKOK (AFP): Myanmar's powerful chief of military intelligence, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, left Thailand Wednesday after a three-day trip aimed at smoothing over a row centered on border issues and the drugs trade. Thai authorities clamped a heavy security presence around the junta number-three during the visit, fearful that exiled dissidents would embarrass the government by staging disruptive protests.

We are tired of searching for Tommy: Police JAKARTA (JP): The chief of detectives of Jakarta Police confessed on Wednesday of being "very tired" of searching for fugitive Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, as it had used all its resources during an unsuccessful manhunt, which had lasted for more than 10 months. "The exhaustion is not only physical, it is more than that. We never thought that this would drag on for so long," Sr. Comr. Adang Rochana said.

Suwardi revives dead 'gentha' gamelan sounds By Riyadi Suparno JAKARTA (JP): After more than a century of silence, the beautiful and haunting sounds of the officially extinct Javanese gentha (bell) gamelan traditional orchestra reverberated through the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (Jakarta Playhouse) on Wednesday evening. To Javanese ears, however, the sound of gentha gamelan performed by A.L.

Five nations to fight HIV migrants PHNOM PENH (DPA): Representatives from four countries neighboring Cambodia gathered in the capital on Wednesday to sign an agreement to curb HIV transmission among the increasing number of migrants in the region, especially workers, officials said.

Becak drivers stage violent rally JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of becak (pedicab) drivers staged a violent protest at the office of the head of Pademangan Timur subdistrict on early Wednesday following official raids conducted against the operation of their vehicles in Penjaringan and Pademangan areas several hours earlier.

New schedule set for Megawati's visit to Aceh JAKARTA (JP): Although President Megawati Soekarnoputri does not have a clear plan to meet with members of the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in her visit to Aceh on Saturday, GAM insists that a dialog between her and its top leader be held in Sweden to initiate further dialogs between the two sides.

Asia-Pacific nations meet to battle global gloom JP/ Asia-Pacific nations meet to battle global gloom SUZHOU, China (Reuters): Asia-Pacific finance ministers, grappling with a global slowdown and wide divisions over how to deal with it, gather this week in one of the few countries managing to thrive despite the slump -- China.

Punish judges who fail to declare their assets: NGO JAKARTA (JP): A non-governmental organization involved in the effort to create a just, fair, and independent judicial process has urged the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) to take resolute action against judges who fail to declare assets. A.

Basketball hall must be integrated with mall: Sutiyoso JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso threatened on Wednesday to demolish the Senayan Sport and Trade Center (STC), now under construction, if the developer failed to abide by its promise to build an indoor basketball hall inside the center.