Cash for clunkers

WASHINGTON: When the president of the United States speaks, everyone listens. Well, at least, they do at Ford, Chrysler and GM.

It seems Mr Clinton told the chairmen of the Big Three that he was interested in a national scrapping program in which people would be paid to sell old clunkers and buy newer, less polluting cars.

Some European governments have tried this tactic. It's success stories include Italy, Ireland, France and Spain, where government rebates of up to $1,500 help stimulate car sales.

Maybe the good burghers of Indonesian politics should also think about it...