[b]Indonesians must learn how

Indonesians must learn how
to be proud of their nation

By Simon Marcus Gower

TANGERANG, Banten (JP): It has been a long road to recovery
from the depths of crises that first took hold in 1997. It is
unfortunate that the shadows that those dark clouds of economic
depression cast still linger over Indonesia. But this country
benefits little from continued pessimism. Perhaps it is
reasonable and right to now view with optimism the future of the
nation with the fifth president and her accompanying cabinet
newly installed.

2. 5Inquirer -- Late learner
2 X 21 36pt NCSBi

Minister driven out
over luxury car scandal

Philippines

MANILA: Maybe former Education Secretary Andrew Gonzalez has
finally learned the difference between right and wrong now that
the Ombudsman has found some "deficiency in (the performance of)
his duty as secretary."

That was a lesson that some senators and a disgusted public
tried to hammer into his head almost a year ago, when it was
exposed that the education department bought 24 vehicles,
including some sports utility vehicles that only the rich could
afford.

3. 5Nato -- NATO and Europe tell Macedonia they are serious
1 x 28 36pt NCSB

Macedonia still defies NATO

By Martin Woollacott

LONDON: After the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) handed over a
first batch of arms to NATO, Gen. Michael Jackson inspected the
haul. Asked for his judgment, he rolled a sceptical eye, then
complimented the KLA on how clean and well-turned-out the
surrendered weapons were. It was one way of saying that
disarmament in situations such as the one that exists now in
Macedonia is usually more theatre than substance. Those who have
achieved a position of political leverage through the use of arms
will never divest themselves entirely, if only to demonstrate
that the dominance of those they have challenged can never be
fully restored. The best that can happen is that over time the
arms that will undoubtedly be retained become irrelevant.

4. 5Argentina --
1 x 34

Argentina sees IMF as last hope

By Eva Karnofsky

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina's President Fernando de la Rua
rejoiced: "The uncertainty is now over." Early Wednesday, the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) finally declared its
willingness to give financial aid to his country once more after
12 days of negotiations.

The IMF will provide US$ 8 billion to help save Argentina from
bankruptcy and economic ruin. It also approved payment of the
$1.2 billion promised at the beginning of the year to redeem
debts due. In turn, Argentina commits itself not to incur a
budget deficit this year also and to save money by means of
reforms.

5. 5Gulf -- Wide ideological gulf
1 x 24 36pt Optima Bold

Korea's ideological gulf

SEOUL: Daniel Bell and Francis Fukuyama were wrong. Neither
the ideology nor the history (of ideological struggle) has ended,
at least not here yet. A Korean War veteran beating a pro-North
Korean student at Kimpo Airport Tuesday shows it. Karl Marx was
right. History repeats itself -- first as a tragedy, second as a
comedy.