* Headlines: Tough times ahead for Megawati without Akbar2 * National: Hamzah denies PPP link to PT QSAR4 * Archipelago: Military bullet cases found at shooting site5 * Opinion: RI, the Philippines and anti-U.S. sentiment7 * City: Expert warns about contaminated tap water8 * Sports: Birdie put in playoff gives Rollins Open title9 * World: Iraq 'could make' nuclear bomb11 * Business: Critics assail Fed chief for 'mistakes' 16 * Features: Baird calls Indonesia second home20

Asia-Pacific air travel making rebound Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Singapore Air travel is making a solid rebound nearly one year after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with carriers in the Asia-Pacific region enjoying relatively blue skies, a newspaper survey of travel agents showed on Monday.

How international brands affect consumers' choices Satyasuryawan, Contributor, Jakarta Who hasn't heard of the Hard Rock Cafe? Once just a dream for Jakartans, its arrival ten years ago allowed people here to really enjoy its world famous ambience. Today, the strong marketing of the Hard Rock Cafe not only lies in its restaurant business or merchandise sales, but has spilled over into other areas with Hard Rock FM radio and Hard Rock Hotel in Bali.

Japanese, Asean youth to visit museum MANADO, North Sulawesi: As many as 350 youths from Japan and Asean countries are scheduled to visit the city's state museum on Oct. 2, to view historical objects from colonial times. The museum curator, K. Pantouw said here Saturday that arrangements have been made to welcome the overseas visitors so they may gain a comprehensive understanding of the objects stored in the museum.

Arrogance precedes shameful downfall In The Jakarta Post (Aug. 23) I read a complaint about an Arrogant lecturer from the University of Indonesia (UI) by Irvan Septiardi. The complaint letter was reprinted from Bisnis Indonesia. I am nearing 77-years-old and have had many experiences of being treated like a nothingness "when I was young". I accepted that! Looking back I discovered that the persons, who were arrogant, had many troubles later in life when they become old.

Residents block damaged road in Bekasi JAKARTA: Residents of Jejalen subdistrict in north Tambun, Bekasi regency, blocked the three-kilometer main road in the area on Monday from 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. to protest the condition of the seriously damaged road. They made their protest as developers of several housing estates in the area had earlier ignored their demand to repair the road.

Shrimp farmers seek debt relief TULANGBAWANG, Lampung: Shrimp farmers belonging to the Association of Dipasena Prawn Breeders (P3UW) are appealing to the government to write off their debt owed to the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA). They also urged the government to separate their assets from those of their foster company PT Dipasena Citra Darmaja (DCD) owned by tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim.

U.S. Asian allies not in one voice over stand on Iraq Agence France-Presse, Singapore/Manila Two staunch supporters of the United States in Southeast Asia region, Singapore and the Philippine, took different preliminary stance over the possible U.S. attack on Iraq. Singapore, a staunch supporter of the U.S.-led war on terror, was keeping silent on Monday on whether it would support U.S. military action against Iraq.

Mayasari depot accused of polluting TANGERANG: The Sukanegara Village Representative Body (BPD) in Cikupa district of Tangerang have asserted that lubricant motor oil from a local bus depot has polluted ground water in the area, forcing residents to buy drinking water.

Lost attraction An international survey shows that Bali's attractiveness for tourists dropped from the top spot down to the eighth. What happened? Did the "Island of Paradise" lose its charm, its beautiful environment, its hospitable people? Maybe a little bit of all. What to do to get the No. 1 spot back?

Unconvincing, predictable verdict in Akbar's case Teten Masduki, Chairman Indonesian Corruption Watch, Jakarta The law in Indonesia used to be helpless against those with political and monetary influence. But this time it departed from the usual practice. The Central Jakarta district court sentenced Akbar Tandjung to three years in prison, with his two accomplices Winfried Simatupang and Dadang Ruskandar getting an 18-month jail term each.

ICCAT plans to boycott RI tuna products Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Members of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) are threatening to launch an embargo against Indonesian tuna products over alleged improper fishing practices, according to Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Rokhmin Dahuri. "We received embargo threats from the ICCAT members via the Japanese government on Feb. 28 and Aug.

Convicted Akbar attends AIPO meet Agence France-Presse, Hanoi Indonesian parliament speaker Akbar Tandjung was attending an annual meeting of Southeast Asian legislators here on Monday despite his conviction last week on corruption charges. Akbar, 56, wearing a traditional Indonesian hat or kopiah, took his place among the 350 parliamentarians who gathered in Hanoi for the opening ceremony of the 23rd general assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organization (AIPO).

Thousands rally to thwart reelection of Sutiyoso Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a last minute attempt to foil governor Sutiyoso's nomination in the gubernatorial election on Wednesday, thousands of people from various groups - some brought along two cows with them - packed the City Council building on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta on Monday. Arriving in dozens of minibuses bajaj and three-wheeled taxis, the protesters caused massive congestion on Jl.

Growth and environment The House of Representatives appeared to ease its outright opposition to the government's proposal that 50 foreign companies, which had invested heavily in their concession areas in protected forests, be allowed to resume open-pit mining operations. The House Mining and Energy Commission said last week it had set up a special team to review the mining contracts and to set tougher criteria for selecting mining concessionaires that would be allowed to resume operations.

Tax chief refuses to publish names of large tax evaders Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Directorate General of Taxation has dropped its earlier threat to go public with the names of the country's largest corporate tax evaders, arguing that such a move would violate the existing taxpayer secrecy code.

Only 48 parties to contest election BUDAPEST: President Megawati Soekarnoputri predicted here on Monday that out of the 200 political parties that had registered with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, only 48 would qualify for the general election in 2004. "The 1999 election was contested by 48 political parties. The 2004 election will have more or less the same number of contestants," Megawati said at a get-together with members of the Indonesian community living in Budapest.

RI launches clean-squad campaign for Busan Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The National Sports Council (KONI) has launched a drug-free campaign for its contingent by conducting a dope test for 20 of the athletes ahead of their departure to the 2002 Asian Games. "We are taking the initiative to check whether our athletes are involved in possible drug-taking as early as possible.

People cannot live without water. Unfortunately, most water in the city is contaminated by hazardous substances and pathogens. As a result, many people are forced to spend money to buy potable water, adding yet another financial burden to the majority of city residents. Rizka, 27, a housewife who resides in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta with her husband. She moved from Magetan, East Jakarta two years ago: I wonder which parts of Jakarta are free from water pollution.

Where to go in Bandung for Tuesday, September 10, 2002 Performances * Operetta Wah Cakepnya, Taman Budaya, Jl. Bukit Dago Selatan no. 53 A (Tel. 022 2504912), 2 p.m., 4 p.m., Sept. 11 - 14. * Traditional Performance Gelar Bulan Purnama, Taman Budaya, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 21. * Modern Theater Tuan Kondektur by LAIN Theater, Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Tel. 022 4233562), 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Sept. 13.

Asian monies down on yen, threat of war Nirmala Menon, Dow Jones, Singapore Asian currencies were on a softer note late Monday, tracking the yen in quiet trading underscored by a reluctance among market players to take strong positions ahead of the Sept. 11 anniversary, coupled with the threat of a war with Iraq. The Singapore, Taiwan, Philippine and Thai currencies lost ground, while the Indonesian rupiah and the Korean won remained steady.

Hamzah denies PPP link to PT QSAR Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz flatly denied on Monday any connection between the political organization the agribusiness company PT Qurnia Subur Alam Raya (QSAR).

Asian watercolor artists paint lives Yusuf Susilo Hartono, Contributor, Jakarta The slabs of stone, large and small, are in a row. They are silent and remain in their own places, basking in the tropical sunshine. The slabs of stone seem to groan, reminding us of the hard lot of Indonesian migrant workers now stranded in Nunukan following their eviction from Malaysia, where they pin their lives and their future.

Rights trial proposed for Dili JAKARTA: Due to the difficulty in bringing in victim witnesses from East Timor to testify in the human rights trial of Brig. Gen. Tono Suratman, an ad hoc prosecutor has proposed to move the hearing to the neighboring country's capital of Dili. Prosecutor Gabriel Simangunsong said on Monday that a legal breakthrough was needed as he found it difficult to make the witnesses appear in court.

ASEAN MPs urged to tackle terror, drugs, piracy Ben Rowse, Agence France-Presse, Hanoi Terrorism, drugs, piracy and the trafficking of women and children are among the key issues which must be tackled to ensure regional peace and stability, Southeast Asian legislators meeting in Hanoi were told on Monday.

Court to continue Manuputty's trial JAKARTA: The North Jakarta District Court ruled on Monday to continue the trial of Maluku Communication Forum figures Alex Manuputty and Wailairumy Sammuel, who are facing subversion charges. The decision followed the judges' dismissal of an objection raised by the defendants, who said the trial was unlawful and baseless.

EU delegates hold talks with junta MYANMAR: European Union (EU) delegates held talks in Yangon on Monday with officials of Myanmar's ruling military junta as part of their three-day mission to assess the country's progress in political reforms, officials said. The first European delegation to visit Yangon since the May release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with deputy foreign minister Khin Maung Win, sources in the ministry said.