Papuans stuck in PNG want to return home The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As many as 14,000 Papuan border crossers, including suspected separatists, are currently languishing in numerous makeshift camps across neighboring Papua New Guinea (PNG) and most of them want to return home. Indonesian Ambassador to PNG J.R.G. Djopari asked on Saturday the Papuan administration to accept the border crossers once they return to their homeland.

FOR COUNTRY PROFILE This article is provided by the Japanese embassy "Walk together, advance together" Indonesia is not only has a close historic relationship with Japan but also maintains close relations in trade and investment. Below is an interview with Japanese Ambassador Yutoko Iimura about the Japanese government's committment to further assist Indonesia in achieving stability.

POLICE REFORM: Japanese police advisors assist Indonesian National Police Reform through a pilot project on enhancement of civilian police activities (crime scene identification and communication and command control for police deployment) at Bekasi Police Resort, Jakarta Metropolitan Police.

Indonesian consumers pessimistic about economic recovery: Survey The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian consumers were among the most pessimistic in Asia- Pacific, believing the economic recovery would not materialize until 2004, a survey said. The AC Nielsen Asia Pacific Regional Survey on consumer confidence trends showed that the prolonged economic crisis, crime and the recent bombing in tourist haven Bali, might dampen consumer confidence in the economic outlook.

Indonesia still respect the "one China policy" Jusuf Wanandi Founder and Member Board of Trustees Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta If there is one country that understands more fully what China's "one-China policy" means, that country is Indonesia. Indonesia, a diverse country encompassing a huge archipelago, has faced challenges of separation since she was established in 1945, and still faces some demands for independence in Aceh and West Papua.

Restoring public trust in the media Thomas Hanitzsch Technische Universitat Ilmenau Germany As we come closer to the end of the year, media practitioners and researchers tend to reflect and ask themselves: Was 2002 a good year for the Indonesian media scene? Economically, yes it was! Even though the country has not yet recovered from the economic turmoil of the late 1990s, total ad expenditure is expected to reach Rp 12 trillion at the end of the year, from Rp 9.7 trillion in 2001.

Rufriadi weeps over justice in Aceh It was still fresh in the mind of Rufriadi, 28, when a number of uniformed members of the security apparatus raided his Legal Aid Institute (LBH) office in Aceh earlier this year. "We were all told to take off our clothes and crawl to an old truck," he said, smiling bitterly. Of the 15 people nabbed, only Rufriadi was not a university student. "When they hit me, I had a relapse of my asthma.

GPP Maluku faces challenges right after establishment It is virtually unimaginable to many people in Ambon, or in Maluku province in general, that amid the escalating sectarian conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and inflicted billions of rupiah in material losses, there is still a group of Muslim and Christian women with a keen sense of humanity and a desire for peace.

Sudibyo M. Wiradji Contributor Jakarta Cafes, restaurants promise unforgettable night While most Jakartans will usually stay at home watching television during New Year's Eve, clubbers and party goers will be treated to a variety of live extravaganzas at cafes, restaurants, hotels and public parks to count down the remaining hours of 2002. For clubbers and party goers, cafes and restaurants might be the preferred place to welcome in the New Year.

Stocks, rupiah to get firmer A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta stock market is expected to move higher this week driven mainly by cheap bluechip shares, analysts say. Zulfikar, a stock analyst at brokerage firm PT Mandiri Sekuritas, said over the weekend that among the bluechip companies considered to be undervalued were auto conglomerate PT Astra International, and telecommunications firms PT Indosat and PT Telkom.

Indonesia still respect the "one China policy" Jusuf Wanandi, Founder and Member, Board of Trustees Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta If there is one country that understands more fully what China's "one-China policy" means, that country is Indonesia. Indonesia, a diverse country encompassing a huge archipelago, has faced challenges of separation since she was established in 1945, and still faces some demands for independence in Aceh and West Papua.

RI, RP to boost antiterror cooperation: Minister Agencies, Jakarta Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda emphasized on Saturday the need for Jakarta and Manila to enhance security cooperation to tackle the increasing terrorist threats in the region. Speaking at a press conference at the end of his two-day visit to the Philippines, the minister said cooperation in intelligence information, immigration and police control would be vital for the two countries.

Budiono leads detikcom out of the storm Fitri Wulandari The Jakarta Post Jakarta This year's Idul Fitri holiday season gave workaholics, such as Budiono Darsono, a rare break. Budiono deserved the extended rest from Dec. 5 to Dec. 10, as it was the first time he has taken a break since the birth of detikcom, the online media he co-founded in 1998 and which survived the worldwide dotcom business crash last year.

Maluku government denies entry to 67 foreigners The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least 67 foreigners have been denied entry to the conflict- ridden province of Maluku since the civilian emergency authorities there imposed a travel ban on non-Indonesians last April, a local government officer said on Saturday. Head of the Ambon immigration office Wiryono did not explain why the 67 foreigners were prohibited from visiting Maluku, saying most of them tried to come as tourists holding valid passports.