Golkar upset over PDIP remark

Golkar upset over PDIP remark

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: A Golkar leader deplored over the
weekend a speech by Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) secretary-general Sutjipto, saying it upset Golkar
members.

Syaiful Islam, a Golkar leader in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara,
said Sutjipto must refrain from making statements that anger
members of other parties.

In a speech marking the opening of PDI Perjuangan's regional
meeting in Mataram last week, Sutjipto said the "yellow epidemic"
must be held responsible for the country's prolonged
multidimensional crises.

Although Sutjipto did not mention Golkar, the color yellow has
always been associated with the party.

"That remark should not have been made at a ceremony attended
by various groups. If it must be made, make it in a closed-door
meeting. I regret that," he said on Saturday.

Syaiful said Sutjipto should have shown respect for those
attending the opening of the PDI Perjuangan meeting, many of whom
were Golkar members. -- Antara

;JP;KHS;
ANPAa..r..
Scene-Activist-ICW
Activists reported to police
JP/4/scenes

Activists reported to police

JAKARTA: The Red-White Front reported Indonesia Corruption
Watch (ICW) deputy coordinator Danang Widoyoko and rights
activist Munir to the police over the weekend.

The chairman of the front, Eddy Hartawan, reported the two
activists to the police on Saturday afternoon for defamation.

Eddy said Danang and Munir had accused his group of hampering
efforts to fight corruption.

Statements by Danang and Munir, Eddy said, had irritated
members of the front.

Several protesters from the groups Banteng Jakarta (Jakarta
Bulls) and Eksponen 27 Juli threatened to occupy the ICW office
two weeks ago, accusing the corruption watchdog of defaming
Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea.

It is unclear whether the Red-White Front also staged a rally
at the ICW office. -- Antara

;Antara;IWA;
ANPAa..r..
Scene-sun-eclipse
'Eclipses in Ramadhan are normal'
JP/4/scene

'Eclipses in Ramadhan are normal'

BANDUNG: An expert from the Bosscha Observatory in Lembang,
West Java, told people on Sunday not to be concerned that two
eclipses were taking place during November, when the country's
Muslims are observing the holy month of Ramadhan.

Moeji Raharto, head of the Bosscha Observatory, said on Sunday
a lunar and solar eclipse taking place during Ramadhan was not
extraordinary.

Indonesia experienced a lunar eclipse on Nov. 9 and a solar
eclipse is expected to take place on Nov. 24.

Moeji said lunar and solar eclipses also occurred on May 16
and May 19, 2003.

"Lunar and solar eclipses have taken place about 60 times
during Ramadhan since the year 10 Hijrah (year 589) to 1424 H
(year 2003)," Moeji said. --Antara

;JP:AFP;
ANPAa..r..
Aceh-rebels-toll
Troops kill 16 Acehnese rebels
JP/4/scene

Troops kill 16 suspected rebels

JAKARTA: At least 16 suspected Acehnese rebels were killed and
nine arrested during a military offensive in Aceh from Thursday
to Saturday, the Indonesian Military (TNI) said on Sunday.

A press release issued by the TNI said four civilians were
also killed in the operation.

The release also said members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
shot and killed three civilians in three separate locations in
South Aceh on Friday, while residents found the body of another
civilian in East Aceh on Friday.

The military said more than 500 GAM rebels have been sentenced
to jail since the start of the campaign to wipe out the movement.
More than 900 rebels have also been killed, it said.

The government launched a joint operation on May 19 aimed at
wiping out the rebels who have been fighting for independence for
the natural resource-rich province since 1976. Over 10,000
people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Aceh since 1976.
--JP

;JP;AP;
ANPAa..r..
Security-holidays-sniper
Police to deploy snipers
JP/4/scene2

Police to deploy snipers

JAKARTA: The police will deploy snipers across heavily
populated Java island to tighten security as millions of people
return to their villages to celebrate the end of the Muslim
fasting month.

The annual exodus this year coincides with fresh warnings from
the Indonesian government that the al-Qaida-linked Jamaah
Islamiyah (JI) terror group is again targeting the world's most
populous Muslim nation.

Two fugitive Malaysians alleged to be leaders of JI, which is
blamed for last year's Bali bombings and the August bombing of
the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, are somewhere on Java and
planning new attacks, police say.

"We are clearly on alert," National Police spokesman Brig.
Gen. Soenarko said on Saturday.

Soenarko said an unspecified number of snipers would be among
thousands of officers deployed along roads prone to violent
crime.

Beginning next week, roads across Java will be packed with
people traveling to their home villages to celebrate the end of
Ramadhan, which is scheduled to fall on Nov. 25.

The exodus leaves Java's major cities deserted but triggers
traffic jams the length of the island. Buses, trains and planes
will also be packed with holiday makers. --AP