Archive: 29 April 2005
80 articles found
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Hypnotic 'professor' released by police
Hypnotic 'professor' released by policeThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Bogor Police released on Thursday Sawaran Singh, 63, who was detained on Wednesday for allegedly trying to swindle the rector of Ibnu Khaldun University (UIK) in Bogor.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Fishermen's lives expressed in movement
Fishermen's lives expressed in movementBlontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, SurakartaCarrying storm lanterns, two men enter the arena from different sides. They walk slowly and stealthily in darkness.When their figures disappear, a man hurries down the stairs of a pole standing erect behind the main...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
BPK to get foreign help in Aceh fund audit
BPK to get foreign help in Aceh fund auditUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta PostAn independent advisory board comprising representatives of international state audit institutions will be established to assist the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) in coordinating and carrying out the auditing of tsunami aid for...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Few in RI turn to financial advisers
Few in RI turn to financial advisersYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungFew people in Indonesia make use of financial advisers, with only 1 percent of the country's five million middle-class families availing themselves of the services of a financial adviser.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Rupiah Rates April 28
Rupiah Rates April 28 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Australian dollar 1 7,802.21 7,020.20 7,450.78 7,371.40 Brunei dollar 1 6,097.34 5,486.40 5,822.70 5,760.87 Canadian dollar 1 8,033.14 7,229.74 7,671.31 7,591.42 Swiss franc 1 8,420.74 7,578.43 8,041.45 7,957.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Tsunami survivor takes up new challenge - college education
Tsunami survivor takes up new challenge - college educationJasbant Singh, Associated Press/Kuala LumpurRizal Shahputra, the poor Indonesian village laborer who survived the Dec. 26 tsunami and an eight-day solo ordeal at sea, began college on Thursday, the first step in his ambition to become an...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
2 headings for page 21 -- potpourri
2 headings for page 21 -- potpourri 1. KAMORO -- 3 x 20 Kamoro of West Papua exhibit art works in Jakarta Rolex calls entries to enterprise awards
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
On Mount Semeru
On Mount Semeru I am writing in response to the photo and caption published on the front page of The Jakarta Post on April 17. The photo displays Mount Semeru, located southeast of Surabaya. The caption states that Indonesia lies along the geologically active "Pacific Ring of Fire" and has more...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Artists accused of blasphemy
Artists accused of blasphemyHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThey fight "infidels", they rail against city nightlife, and now they have turned their overzealous worldview against popular soft rock band Dewa.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Govt to play by the rules on Theo
Govt to play by the rules on TheoMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government has vowed to enforce the law indiscriminately in the case of Investment Coordinating Board chief Theo Toemion, who allegedly assaulted a teenager and several other people during a recent children's...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
2 headings for page 19 -- Entertainment
2 headings for page 19 -- Entertainment 1. JALA -- 1 x 39 Fishermen's lives expressed in movement
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Through the INA, the Indonesia-Netherlands-Belgium Association
Through the INA, the Indonesia-Netherlands-Belgium Association in Jakarta, over 200 Dutch and Belgian companies in Indonesia vowed to support the Acehnese victims in the most practical sense. INA and the company PA Asia are working hard on the preparations of a so-called Community Home in Lampaya.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Rupiah extends rally against dollar
Rupiah extends rally against dollarUrip Hudiono and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe rupiah continued its upward rally against the U.S. dollar for the third day in a row, following concerted measures from government agencies to defend it -- the latest being controlling the...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 28, 2005
Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on April 28, 2005 __________________________________________________________________________ Shares Close Change Trading Volume __________________________________________________________________________ Abdi Bangsa Tbk 275 0 0 Ades Alfindo Tbk...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
A long-standing commitment to Tsunami victims
A long-standing commitment to Tsunami victims The Netherlands will make 200 million euros available for reconstruction aid for the Tsunami victims. In the next five years Indonesia and Sri Lanka, both long-standing development partners of the Netherlands, will receive extra support to deal with the...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Pollution blacklist lacks power: Environment activist
Pollution blacklist lacks power: Environment activistID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, SurabayaAn environmental activist lashed out on Thursday at State Minister of the Environment Rachmat Nadi Witoelar Kartaadipoetra's statement on five firms on the environment office's pollution blacklist, saying it...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Police hunting down student kidnapper
Police hunting down student kidnapper JAKARTA: Ciledug Police in South Jakarta are now tracking down a man accused of kidnapping two high school students.Police officer Adj. Comr. Triyanto said the alleged kidnapper, identified as Nano a.k.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
City parking management comes in for criticism
City parking management comes in for criticismDamar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, JakartaFor the 30-plus years of its existence, city-owned parking management (BP Parkir) -- assigned to oversee the parking business in the capital -- has been suffering deficits as its spending has always exceeded its...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Rolex calls entries to enterprise awards
Rolex calls entries to enterprise awardsThe world class watchmaker Rolex calls entries from Indonesia and also the rest of the world for its 2006 Rolex Award -- the 30th anniversary of the international biennial initiative.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
JP/3/heads
JP/3/heads April 29, 2005 1. Mandiri (45) -- 48 pts 3cols 3line (3x18) Neloe grilled again over alleged scam at Bank Mandiri 2. Rizal (40) -- 36 pts 4 cols 2lines (1x28)Tsunami survivor takes up new challenge - college education 3.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Experts see rise in crimes by soldiers, police officers
Experts see rise in crimes by soldiers, police officersAbdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe number of crimes involving soldiers and police officers in the capital will rise unless the authorities start to come down hard on personnel who break the law, an expert says.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Four witnesses questioned over Theo's assault case at JIS
Four witnesses questioned over Theo's assault case at JISAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPolice have began questioning witnesses in an assault case involving Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chairman Theo F. Toemion at the Jakarta International School (JIS) on April 17.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
People come out for candidates
People come out for candidates AMBON, Maluku: At least 700 people gathered outside the office of the Maluku General Elections Commission (KPUD) on Thursday to demand their candidates be allowed to contest the election in Eastern Seram regency.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
The Netherlands and Indonesia: A Common Future
The Netherlands and Indonesia: A Common Future Message from the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Mr. Ruud Treffers, on the occasion of Queen's Day 2005This year's celebration of the Dutch National Day or Queen's Day, every 30th of April, has a very special character for several important reasons.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
West Java fishermen sink beneath high operating costs
West Java fishermen sink beneath high operating costsNana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, IndramayuFishermen on West Java's north coast have complained that their operating costs since the increase in fuel prices have become unbearable, and said they hoped the government would soon disburse fuel...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
In support of death for Aussies
In support of death for Aussies Good on the Australian Police for alerting the Indonesian authorities on these nine (Australian) drug traffickers. If they were to let them come (from Bali with drugs) to Australia to be arrested, it would have been slap on the wrist stuff and that's not good enough,...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Foreign aid, not govt, saved Aceh
Foreign aid, not govt, saved Aceh What is wrong with our country and our officials? Without help from outside people, foreigners, the tsunami-stricken region of Aceh would still be in the same state as it was the day after the tsunami happened.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Officers to undergo more psych tests
Officers to undergo more psych testsEva C. Komandjaja and Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/SurabayaThe National Police say they will tighten their recruitment procedure following a fatal shooting involving two officers in Jombang, East Java.National Police spokesman Sr. Comr.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Jakarta 46 BNI takes aim at Proliga double victory
Jakarta 46 BNI takes aim at Proliga double victoryMoch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Hometown teams have emerged as the favorites for both the men's and women's competitions as the 2005 Sampoerna Hijau Proliga volleyball tournament enters its final stretch.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Suspect in Mamasa violence arrested
Suspect in Mamasa violence arrestedMAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Police have arrested one of the persons alleged to have incited the April 24 violence in Mamasa regency, West Sulawesi, which lead to the deaths of four people and injured seven others.South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
War declared on illegal logging
War declared on illegal loggingPALU, Central Sulawesi: Government and security officials in Central Sulawesi announced on Thursday a new campaign against illegal logging.The campaign was announced after a meeting of all concerned parties at the Central Sulawesi Police Headquarters.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Rock legends make comeback for tsunami victims
Rock legends make comeback for tsunami victimsM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, JakartaSeveral rock legends have recorded new material for an album that will be sold to raise funds for the survivors of the tsunami in Aceh.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
International NGOs criticize Newmont
International NGOs criticize NewmontJAKARTA: Representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from Indonesia, Peru, Ghana, Romania, and the United States state of Nevada called on Wednesday Newmont Mining, the world's largest gold producer, to reform its environmental practices at its...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Megawati's PDI-P opponents open office
Megawati's PDI-P opponents open officeThe Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) is facing an imminent split, with members opposed to the leadership of Megawati Soekarnoputri ready to set up a new party should they fail to oust the PDI-P leader.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
New Criminal Law exceeds Dutch repression
New Criminal Law exceeds Dutch repressionAbdullah Alamudi, JakartaThe controversial bill that seeks to revamp the Criminal Law is turning back the clock 90 years to the time when Dutch colonial rulers and government officials were immune to public criticism and accountability.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Lee hopes Australia will join EAS
Lee hopes Australia will join EASSINGAPORE: Singapore is optimistic that Australia will be part of the East Asia Summit (EAS) when it is launched, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday.Speaking at a World Economic Forum meeting in Singapore, Lee said Australia and New Zealand would be...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Traders complain about street vendors
Traders complain about street vendors JAKARTA: Show owners in Glodok, West Jakarta are complaining about street vendors operating in the area, saying that their presence has prevented customers from coming there."Our income has decreased due to traffic jams caused by their presence.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Govt studies Inco request to boost output
Govt studies Inco request to boost outputLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe government is considering nickel mining company PT International Nickel Indonesia's request to expand production of its giant mine in Soroako, South Sulawesi, to 200 million pounds of nickel in matte by 2009.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Aceh's reconstruction should be based on village mapping
Aceh's reconstruction should be based on village mappingAzwar Hasan, Banda Aceh If we ask tsunami-affected Acehnese what they desire most, they will almost invariably reply that their greatest desire is to go back to where they used to live, in spite of the fact that their homes have been...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Is our investment promoter aspiring to be a boxer?
Is our investment promoter aspiring to be a boxer?Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post When they had the chance to meet up with him during his visit to Copenhagen this week, his former mentors at the National Bank of Denmark may well have asked Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chairman Theo...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Neloe grilled again over alleged scam at Bank Mandiri
Neloe grilled again over alleged scam at Bank MandiriEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe Attorney General's Office (AGO) questioned Bank Mandiri president ECW Neloe for the second day on Thursday over an alleged lending scandal involving the state-owned bank.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Activists say Aceh blueprint prone to embezzlement
Activists say Aceh blueprint prone to embezzlementHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, JakartaActivists have warned that the government blueprint for the reconstruction of tsunami-stricken Aceh and North Sumatra, may be inaccurate and prone to embezzlement.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Indonesia illegal workers return home
Indonesia illegal workers return homeFadli, The Jakarta Post, Tanjung PinangSome 184 Indonesian illegal workers arrived back in Indonesia at the Sri Bintan Pura International Port in Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands province on Thursday from Malaysia.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
2 headings for potpourri
2 headings for potpourri 1. VIET -- 3 x 19 In Vietnam, millions claw their way out of poverty 2. BEATLES -- 1 x 38 Postwar generation is changing Vietnam
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
On Mount Semeru
On Mount Semeru I am writing in response to the photo and caption published on the front page of The Jakarta Post on April 17. The photo displays Mount Semeru, located southeast of Surabaya. The caption states that Indonesia lies along the geologically active "Pacific Ring of Fire" and has more...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
1. FPI (1x28)
1. FPI (1x28) Artists accused of blasphemy 2. Shoot (2x18) Officers to undergo more psych tests 3. Gam (2x30) Conflict 'intensifying' in Aceh despite peace talks 4. Fund (3x18) Activists say Aceh blueprint prone to embezzlement
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Experts see rise in crimes by soldiers, police officers
Experts see rise in crimes by soldiers, police officersAbdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/JakartaThe number of crimes involving soldiers and police officers in the capital will rise unless the authorities start to come down hard on personnel who break the law, an expert says.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Garbage slide victims demand compensation
Garbage slide victims demand compensationYuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, BandungAfter being left in uncertainty for over two months, victims of the garbage landslide at the Leuwigajah dumping site in South Cimahi, West Java, have decided to take the matter to court on Thursday, demanding...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Bank NISP's Q1 profit jumps 72%
Bank NISP's Q1 profit jumps 72%JAKARTA: PT Bank NISP, an Indonesian lender controlled by Singapore's Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., posted a 72 percent rise in first-quarter profit as it expanded lending.Net income rose to Rp 95.99 billion (US$10 million) from Rp 55.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Danamon net Rp 640b in profit
Danamon net Rp 640b in profit PT Bank Danamon Indonesia posted a 17 percent increase in first-quarter net profit largely due to an increase in net interest income, the bank's Chief Financial Officer Vera Eve Liem told reporters on Thursday.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
On Monday 18 April, 850 meters of NATO bridges were transferred
On Monday 18 April, 850 meters of NATO bridges were transferred to Indonesia by the Netherlands. An engineering detachment of the Royal Dutch Army was responsible for the transport of the bridges to Indonesia.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
TNI to boycott meetings on shooting
TNI to boycott meetings on shootingKUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The Indonesian Military (TNI) will not attend any meetings to discuss the recent shooting along the border between Indonesia and East Timor that left First Lt. Deddy Setyawan injured, a senior TNI officer said on Thursday.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
'Dewa, FPI should resolve dispute'
'Dewa, FPI should resolve dispute'Rock band Dewa was reported to the city police by a number of Muslim organizations led by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) last Monday for using the Arabic world of Allah on the cover of its Laskar Cinta (Soldier of Love) album.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Corby maintains innocence on final day of trial
Corby maintains innocence on final day of trialWahjoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, DenpasarWith her eyes glistening with tears, Australian drug-accused Schapelle L. Corby maintained her defense plea that she was the victim of drug smugglers on the final day of her trial at the Denpasar District...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
[b]Susilo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla promised to honor press
Susilo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla promised to honor press freedom during their election campaign, but since coming to office their government has done the contrary.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Kofi Annan says consensus over Asian for UN top post
Kofi Annan says consensus over Asian for UN top postKamil Zaheer, Reuters/New DelhiUnited Nations members generally agree that Asia should provide the next head for the global body, after a break of three decades, Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Thursday.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Talks on Timor Sea issue near end
Talks on Timor Sea issue near endAgence France-Presse, Sydney Australia and its tiny neighbor East Timor are moving closer to a deal on sharing billions of dollars' worth of oil and gas reserves under the Timor Sea.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Conflict 'intensifying' in Aceh despite peace talks
Conflict 'intensifying' in Aceh despite peace talksAgencies, Banda Aceh/JakartaAttacks by separatist rebels in the tsunami-hit province of Aceh have intensified in recent weeks despite a renewed peace dialog, military officials said on Thursday.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Association sees money in pork
Association sees money in porkPURWOKERTO, Central Java: A monogastric association estimates that up to 20 million people in the country regularly eat pork, making this a potentially lucrative market segment.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Susilo vows to clean up graft
Susilo vows to clean up graftMuninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, JakartaPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono vowed on Thursday to begin ridding his office of corruption, part of a top-down reform drive to stamp out the practice that infects all levels of government in the country.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Aceh's inconsistent law is a means of repression
Aceh's inconsistent law is a means of repressionOtto Syamsuddin Ishak, Jakarta Law enforcement is one of the Indonesian government's strategies for the settlement of the war in Aceh. Which law does the government seek to enforce? Who will enforce the law and how? Is this law enforcement based on...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Merpati's Easy Flyer service
Merpati's Easy Flyer service In response to a letter by Joseph Louis Spartz titled Merpati Airlines service, addressed to Merpati and published in The Jakarta Post on April 21, we would like to express the following:On behalf of the management of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines, we would like to...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
ABN AMRO clarifies
ABN AMRO clarifies Thank you for your interest in elaborating about priority banking and illustrate ABN AMRO as one of the product cases. In particular, we'd like to point out the article A cup of cappuccino is never enough published in The Jakarta Post on April 12, page 17.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Looking to increase sales, Acer eyes corporate users
Looking to increase sales, Acer eyes corporate usersThe Jakarta Post, JakartaPT Acer Indonesia, the country's second biggest personal computer (PC) manufacturer, plans to increase its sales by 20 percent this year.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Death toll in Aceh flash flood up to 15 as more bodies found
Death toll in Aceh flash flood up to 15 as more bodies foundAgencies, Banda AcehRescue workers and villagers recovered on Thursday five more bodies from the debris left behind by flash floods in the tsunami-stricken province of Aceh, bringing the death toll from the floods to 15, police said.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
1. Comment -- 1x40
1. Comment -- 1x40 Is our investment promoter aspiring to be a boxer? 2. Theo ---- 2x28 Four witnesses questioned over Theo's assault case at JIS 3. Flood --- 2x22 Death toll in Aceh flash flood up to 15 as more bodies found 4. PDI-P --- 1x30 Megawati's PDI-P opponents open office
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Experts warns of police crime wave
Experts warns of police crime waveAbdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, JakartaThe number of crimes involving soldiers and police officers in the capital will rise unless the authorities start to come down hard on personnel who break the law, an expert says.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
RI losing out in Chinese cocoa market: Askindo
RI losing out in Chinese cocoa market: AskindoZakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, JakartaIndonesia is losing out to Malaysia in grabbing a slice of China's cocoa bean market, as Asia's largest economy applies a zero-tariff policy for the commodity originating from Malaysia, an association has said.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
[b]
Aceh's inconsistent law is a means of repression Otto Syamsuddin Ishak Jakarta2. Azwar -- Community survey: Village mapping -- the first step towards the 2 X 30 Aceh's reconstruction should be based on village mapping Azwar Hasan Banda Aceh
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Kamoro of West Papua exhibit art works in Jakarta
Kamoro of West Papua exhibit art works in JakartaEmmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta"They are lovers, not fighters," said the celebrated photographer Kal Muller when asked to describe the Kamoro people, an ethnic tribe in Papua.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Unilateral approach may not solve Iran nuke issue: RI
Unilateral approach may not solve Iran nuke issue: RIAdianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaAs debates on Iran's nuclear program are heating up, Indonesia -- a peace-loving nation and home to the largest Muslim population in the world -- urged all countries in the Middle East as well as the...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Defending the rupiah
Defending the rupiah The joint concerted efforts of Bank Indonesia and the government to defend the rupiah exchange rate, which fell to a three-year low of nearly Rp 9,800 against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, should have come as early as March, after the fuel price increase set off stronger...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
EMP to spend $58 million on marginal fields
EMP to spend $58 million on marginal fieldsLeony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, JakartaLocal oil and gas firm PT Energy Mega Persada (EMP) will spend US$58 million to develop its two marginal fields and cash in on an incentive recently offered by the government.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Toyota Q1 domestic sales up 34%
Toyota Q1 domestic sales up 34%The Jakarta Post, JakartaPT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM), the distribution arm for Toyota in Indonesia, reported a 34 percent increase in this year's first- quarter sales compared to the same period last year.
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
*Neloe quizzed again over Bank Mandiri scam Page 2
*Neloe quizzed again over Bank Mandiri scam Page 2 *Aceh's inconsistent law a means of repression Page 4 *Activists say Aceh blueprint prone to graft Page 6 *Garbage slide victims demand compensation Page 8 *Parking attendants eat away company revenue Page 9 *PM Koizumi courts India as China's...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
TV Today: Saturday, April 30, 2005
TV Today: Saturday, April 30, 2005TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings6:00 News: Berita Pagi7:00 Cartoon: Tabulaga7:30 Religious Teachings8:00 Talk Show: Hembing10:30 Music11:30 Oto Screen1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang1:30 Documentary2:00 Music3:00 English News Service4:30 Comedy5:00 Music5:30...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Nepalese drug suspect shot dead
Nepalese drug suspect shot deadAbdul Khalik and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Denpasar, BaliA suspected Nepalese drug trafficker, identified as Man Sing Gale, 40, was shot dead on Wednesday as he allegedly resisted arrest by agents of the National Narcotic Agency (BNN) and Bekasi...
Fri, 29 Apr 2005
FM offers soothing words for E. Timor
FM offers soothing words for E. TimorAUSTRALIA: Australia is not trying take advantage of tiny East Timor in border negotiations with the impoverished half-island nation that could decide the fate of billions of dollars in oil and gas reserves, the country's foreign minister said on Thursday.