Warring sides in Aceh take steps to build trust and peace Nani Farida and Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Discussions to coordinate the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement have begun between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Free Aceh Movement (GAM), in order to build trust and attempt to impose peace in the war-torn province.

53 non-nationals deported in 11 months MEDAN, North Sumatra: A total of 53 overseas citizens have been deported from North Sumatra province over the past 11 months for failing to produce valid passport. Three of the deportees were citizens of newly-independent East Timor. They were Angelene Pina Lopes, Filomena Moniz P Govenia and Ana Rosalina da Silva.

Refugees call for speedy distribution of Italian rice aid The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thousands of East Timorese refugees called on the government to distribute 104 tons of rice, received as aid from Italy, which was being held by the East Nusa Tenggara provincial administration because of conflicting figures on the number of refugees in the province.

Extra security for holidays Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police will beef up security, particularly at churches, ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays amid heightened concerns of possible terrorist attacks following the recent bombing in Makassar, the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, which killed three people and injured 11.

Acheh or Aceh, Henry or Henri, Centre or Center? Who cares? The Jakarta Post Jakarta The historic agreement signed by the government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Geneva on Monday was a nightmare for writers and language experts, whose job it is to maintain standards and consistency over spelling.

Kendari residents complain of foul odor KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Residents living around a cattle- feed producing company in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, are complaining about the foul smell it produces. "The company is reckless as regards waste management in that it has been ignoring the foul smell, which has been greatly disturbing local people," said one resident on Tuesday.

Malls launch promotional events to lure shoppers The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an effort to lure more shoppers, many malls around town have planned to hold a string of events during the holiday season. In celebration of Christmas and New Year, Mal Taman Anggrek in Slipi, West Jakarta, will launch its second Happy Holidays promotion on Dec. 13, which will last until Jan. 5.

Creativity needed to draw people to museums Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It takes a lot of creativity to attract most Indonesians to visit a museum, especially during this year's Idul Fitri holiday, which is longer, as the government granted an extended period of leave to civil servants. The Transportation Museum at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), for example, staged a dangdut musical performance to attract more visitors.

Jakarta blasted for planned raids against newcomers Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In an effort to curb the flow of migrants into the capital, the Jakarta administration has plans to launch raids against newcomers this weekend amid much public criticism that it violates the Constitution. "We will conduct operations during peak days of passenger arrivals at railway stations and terminals," the spokesman Muhayat said.

Court rules Internet case can be heard in Australia Belinda Goldsmith Reuters Canberra Australia's highest court ruled on Tuesday that a defamation case sparked by a story on a U.S Web site could be heard in Australia, opening a legal minefield for web publishers over which libel laws they must follow.

On concern over the TPM Bali Post of Dec. 3, 2002 reported on the concern of the Muslim Lawyers Team (TPM) if the trials of Amrozi, Imam Samudra and their accomplices are held in the Denpasar District Court in Bali. It is feared that they will be on public trial. In this context I would like to give some advice to the defending team as follows: 1. The Balinese community is generally a lover of the arts; creative, diligent and hard working.

Asia piracy costs $25 bln a year, says expert Jane Macartney Reuters Singapore Piracy, mainly along Asia's busy sea lanes, is costing the world's economy US$25 billion a year and the threat is growing as modern buccaneers equip themselves with the latest technology, a regional expert said on Tuesday.