DPR asked to evaluate Aceh operation

SURABAYA: The country's largest Muslim organization, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), has called on the House of Representatives to evaluate the military operation in Aceh.

Also, noted rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis has urged the government to end the military offensive that has left almost 700 suspected rebels dead.

The chairman of NU's chapter in East Java, Ali Maschan Moesa, said the government should focus on humanitarian and law enforcement operations in Aceh, and persuade rebels to lay down their arms and return to their homes.

"I suggest the House stop the assault and try persuasion, like humanitarian and welfare operations," he said during a discussion on Friday.

He said the government must win the hearts of the Acehnese by giving them "real autonomy, instead of 'regional-ruler autonomy'".

Todung agreed with Ali, saying the three-month military operation in Aceh had gone on "long enough".

"The House must evaluate the operation. They should not permit the military operation in Aceh to continue for the sake of the 2004 elections or political interests. The interests of the Acehnese must be taken into account," he said. -- Antara

;JP;MUN; ANPAa..r.. Scene-president-boat Megawati inaugurates the Samudraraksa expedition JP/4/SCENE

Megawati inaugurates Samudraraksa boat

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri inaugurated on Friday the Samudraraksa boat, which is scheduled to sail the "Cinnamon Route" from Indonesia to Ghana, during a ceremony at the Ancol port.

The Samudraraksa expedition, which will include stops in Seychelles, Madagascar, Cape Town and Ghana, is expected to be completed in December.

The route was used in the cinnamon trade in the past.

The traditional wooden boat was designed by marine archaeological expert Nick Burningham and made by Indonesian boat craftsman Asad Abdullah. The size of the boat is similar to traditional boats from the 8th century, but is equipped with modern navigational equipment.

As many as 10 sailors, half women, will take part in the expedition, which will be led by I Gusti Putu Ngurah Sedana. --Antara

;JP;MUN; ANPAa..r.. Scene-party-register Alliance Party registers for the election JP/4/SCENE

Alliance Party registers for the election

JAKARTA: The Indonesia Nationalist Alliance Party registered on Friday with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights for an administration screening ahead of the 2004 elections.

Party chairman Hadidjojo Nitimihardjo said his party was ready to contest the upcoming elections.

"We expect to win 3 percent of the vote," he said.

Only parties that earn 2 percent of the vote or more in the 2004 elections will be eligible to contest the 2009 elections.

The alliance party was created from 11 parties that took part in the 1999 elections. -- Antara

;JP;MUN ANPAa..r.. Scene-president-siswono Siswono named as presidential candidate JP/4/SCENE

Siswono named presidential candidate

JAKARTA: The People's Core Nationalist Party (PNIK) 1927 named on Friday former minister Siswono Yudhohusodo its presidential candidate for the 2004 elections.

Siswono, who is also the chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Solidarity Union, said he was honored to be selected as PNIK's candidate, and added that another six parties had asked him to be their candidates.

He said he would not join any political party despite the offers from the political parties to become their presidential candidates.

Siswono said he was working on his platform. He did elaborate on whether he had agreed to be nominated as a presidential candidate by any of the parties. -- Antara