April 28, 2003 Exiting IMF program There has been mounting pressure from economists, politicians and even some Cabinet ministers for the Indonesian government not to extend its program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after its expiry later this year.

24 organizations receive UNDP funds for elections JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the contribution of US$36 million to 24 Indonesian organizations for electoral activities. In a statement received by The Jakarta Post on Thursday, UNDP said the largest share of the funds was received by the General Elections Commission. The commission will receive $30 million for technical and material electoral infrastructure support.

Former BI governor to be prosecuted JAKARTA: A former governor of the central bank will be prosecuted soon in connection with the alleged misuse of Bank Indonesia liquidity support (BLBI) funds from 1997 through 1999, an official said. Attorney General's Office spokesman Antasari Azhar announced on Friday that the office had completed the case files of J. Soedradjad Djiwandono and would hand over them to the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office sometime next month.

RI to face China, Japan to see Thailand Agence France-Presse, Tokyo Angelique "Angie" Widjaja and Wynne Adiati Prakusya avenged their loss in the singles to win a doubles against Thailand and give Indonesia top place in Pool B at the Fed Cup tennis Asia-Oceania zone Group One on Friday. Angie and Wynne, who lost to Tamarine Tanasugarn and Suchanan Viratprasert Wednesday, defeated Napaporn Tongsalee and Prariyawan Ratanakrong 6-2, 7-5 in the doubles, which was canceled on Wednesday due to rain.

Govt gets thumb-up over terrorist network bust Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government's crackdown against an alleged terrorist network operating in the country has won praise from analysts and the United States.

GAM is untrustworthy From Koran Tempo The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government, inked in Geneva, Switzerland, some time ago, has allowed free rein to GAM's activities. Since the signing of the agreement GAM has openly committed some 300 acts of violence in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD). Why have we let it happen? Four months have elapsed and nothing of significance has been achieved.

RI, GAM asked to save peace Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's international aid donors are putting pressure on Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) to continue with their plan to hold a Joint Council meeting to salvage the fragile peace in Aceh. The United States, Japan and the World Bank said a successful Joint Council meeting would be necessary to save the Dec.

Be firm with separatism From Koran Tempo The signing of the Treaty on the Cessation of Hostilities on Dec. 9, 2002, in Geneva by the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) led to the hope that the conflict in Aceh, which has been going on for 26 year, would end and peace would prevail. Unfortunately, despite the signing of this peace pact, violence has continued, including raids, assaults, extortion, kidnappings, and shootings.

Russian fighters promise RI air superiority and massive bill Berni K. Moestafa and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Six years after the original purchase was aborted, advanced Russian Sukhoi 27 and Sukhoi 30 jet fighters will soon enter service with the Indonesian Air Force. With another economic crisis unlikely to stop the Air Force from getting its latest toys, the next question is: just how good are the Sukhois?

INKINDO to assist Papua consultancies JAYAPURA, Papua: Some 3,000 consulting firms might flood the resource-rich provinces in Papua to capitalize on their economic potential, said the Association of Indonesian Consultants (INKINDO) on Friday. "Papua will become an easy target in view of the province's underdeveloped business, and given its huge potential," said the chairman of INKINDO, Fredy Harman.

Boediono expects recovery in investment in 2004 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Finance Boediono said on Friday that investment activities in the country would improve significantly after the 2004 general election had been completed and a new administration is in place. He said that many investors had delayed their investment plans due to the uncertainty before the general election.

Antigovt rally staged in Yogyakarta YOGYAKARTA: Some 5,000 students and people of different organizations took to the streets here on Friday to demand President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz step down for failing to produce policies that best serve the public. Carrying banners and posters condemning Megawati and her government, they marched from two different points before meeting in front of the Gramedia bookstore on Jl. Jend. Sudirman.

Gandhi acquisition plan rejected JAKARTA: The city's elementary education office has turned down the request of Gandhi Memorial School in Ancol, North Jakarta, to acquire nearby plots where the SDN 01 and SDN 02 elementary schools currently stand. Iing A. Mukmin of the education office said that the request was rejected because there were many students studying at the two schools, and that their parents had strongly objected to relocating the schools.

On social-cultural visa The visa for a foreigner married to an Indonesian citizen is called Visa Kunjungan Sosial Budaya (visa for social and cultural visit). The procedure involved to obtain this visa is similar to that of a business or KITAS visa.