Myanmar becomes ASEAN observer JAKARTA (JP): Myanmar took one step closer to becoming a member of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) yesterday as it was inducted as an observer of the seven-member organization.

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Not quite Wright in Ubud: The Chedi Ubud hotel UBUD, Bali (JP): The design of the Chedi Ubud, the latest boutique hotel in Payangan, northwest of Ubud, Bali, shows evidence of the influence of the renowned American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, in some of its architectural and interior design ...

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ClandestineBy Seno Gumira Ajidarma Well, it's hard to explain. Lately I've been feeling like I have an enemy, like I am fighting someone -- but I don't know who this enemy is. I go through the names of all the people I know, and I can't name anyone who would consider themselves my enemy.

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Fishermen's children suffer from exploitationBy Rita A. Widiadana and Fitriyanti Djoni Despite the fact that Indonesia has ratified the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, there are still many children living in exceptionally difficult conditions.

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'Resist pressure on non-trade issues' JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia asked fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday to resist the West's pressure to link environmental and human rights issues with international trade talks.The U.S.

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Children, indicators of a nation's progressBy Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): The progress of nations is usually measured by their military or economic strength, or by the splendor of their capital cities and public buildings.

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Beijing's sea baselines to be questioned JAKARTA (JP): ASEAN will seek further clarification during either the ASEAN Regional Forum or the Post Ministerial Conferences on a recent Chinese declaration in which Beijing unilaterally defined its sea baselines in the South China Sea.

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What is the true feeling of beauty?By Kwo Da-WeiDear friends,The subjectivity of beauty is an important idea. The German philosopher, Kent (1724-1804), was a firm champion of this idea. He believed that beauty has nothing to do with the material life or things; but only the feeling in one's heart.

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Questions on menstruation BOGOR, West Java (JP): Here are a few frequently-asked questions about menstruation:1. "How much blood is there?"Sofi, my ten-year-old granddaughter, used to fear that she'd faint from the loss of blood.

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Jesse Jackson meets with local labor activists JAKARTA (JP): Jesse Jackson, a U.S. front liner in the civil rights movement, met with local labor activists yesterday to obtain first-hand information on labor conditions in Indonesia.

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Courtroom drama of 'The Juror' lacks commitmentBy Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): There is an unavoidable feeling of deja vu which assails one watching The Juror. Then the penny drops.

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Concern about EcstasyFrom NeracaThe popularity of Ecstasy -- known among its users as Innex -- in the mass media, has truly brought us to our senses. The more so since several Army personnel were reportedly caught tripping in certain discotheques.

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Regional mechanism for rights issue planned JAKARTA (JP): Human rights officials from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand will explore the possibility of establishing a regional mechanism to deal with rights issues.

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Aroma Vera establishes itself in JakartaBy Marina Kanetti JAKARTA (JP): The magical effects of flowers and aromatic fragrances over the human body have been known for ages.In fact, as Marcel Lavabre, founder and CEO of Aroma Vera, Inc.

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ASEAN FMs to discuss economic issues JAKARTA (JP): Foreign ministers from the seven ASEAN member countries will address wide-ranging economic issues from the Mekong basin project to free trade in a joint communique they will issue at the end of their annual meeting today.

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Huge marine resources not yet tapped JAKARTA (JP): As a maritime country, Indonesia is proud of its abundant marine resources.Indonesia's territorial waters cover a 5.8 million square kilometer area. Some 3.1 million square km are under government control, with 2.

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Ismet insists on relinquishing PSSI seat JAKARTA (JP): Competition and league manager of the All- Indonesia Soccer Association, Ismet Tahir, is insisting on resigning from the soccer body and says it is his own decision."Nobody is to blame except me.

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Common questions about menstruation BOGOR, West Java (JP): Here are a few frequently-asked questions about menstruation: 1. "How much blood is there?"Sofi, my ten-year-old granddaughter, used to fear that she'd faint from the loss of blood.

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Estee Lauder adds spice to life's little 'pleasures'By Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): From the creators of White Linen and Beautiful comes Estee Lauder's pleasures, the new offering that vies for one's olfactory attention in the fragrance market.

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TV todayTVRI 6:00 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:25 Morning Focus 6:45 Healthy and Fit 7:00 Morning News 7:30 TV Series: Grandizer 8:00 Children's Program: Panggung Gembira Anak 9:00 English News Service 9:30 Focus: People and Event 10:00 Music: Album Minggu Ini 11:00 ...

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Balinese inherit Ubud's flourishing tourist industryText and photos by Amir Sidharta UBUD, Bali (JP): Famous as the cultural center of Bali, Ubud has recently seen much tourist development fueled by foreign investment.

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Labuan children study the Koran at Madrasah LABUAN, West Java (JP): The clock strikes 1 p.m. Dozens of children flock into a decaying classroom at Madrasah Tunas Bahari, an Islamic school in the fishing village of Teluk in Labuan, about 160 kilometer west of Jakarta.

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Soeharto, 'Father of ASEAN' JAKARTA (JP): Singapore Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar lauded Indonesia's President Soeharto as "Father of ASEAN" for his unwavering commitment to the organization for the past three decades.

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More buses, pleaseFrom NeracaBeing a public transportation commuter, I do not object to drivers of Patas air-conditioned buses taking on more passengers than the seating capacity, especially in the morning.

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Jewel of Asia show draws big crowds but few buyersBy Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): If diamonds are indeed a girl's best friend, then last weekend the Jakarta Convention Center was transformed into a sorority's dream.

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A mixture of tears and laughter at Tana Toraja funeralText and photos by Mulkan Salmona TANA TORAJA, South Sulawesi (JP): The ceremony to bless the body of Maria Laik Andi, who died in November 1995, was held one solemn afternoon earlier this month in the Catholic Church of St.

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Emmy Hafild feels at home at WalhiBy P. Prasetyohadi JAKARTA (JP): "I come from a family which loves nature. We all love to travel and enjoy nature. I love adventure too," says Emmy Hafild, the activist elected recently to lead the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi).

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Explaining menstruation to childrenBy Surtiningsih W.T. BOGOR, West Java (JP): My eldest daughter, now grown up, has often told my granddaughters how she suffered when she first got her period.

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Traditional fishermen fight daily battle for survivalBy Rita A. Widiadana and Fitriyanti Djoni JAKARTA (JP): They are poor, lazy, uneducated, wasteful and have no ethics or social conscience.That is the stereotype of the estimated 1.5 million traditional fishermen in the Indonesian archipelago.

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