JAKARTA (JP): Observers have called for the prompt issuance of
JAKARTA (JP): Observers have called for the prompt issuance of regulations to clearly define the respective functions of the military and police so as to avoid the kind of overlapping that has frequently sparked conflicts between the two organizations.
Koesparmono Irsan and Munir joined the chorus on Thursday saying that the conflict between the military and police had reached an alarming level, not only because of the increasing number of clashes, but also because of the increasing number of personnel at all levels involved in the clashes. Page 2
Councillors demand life assurance of Rp 4 billion
JAKARTA (JP): After courting controversy for recent trips abroad, the City Council has now asked the city administration to provide councillors, for the first time ever, with life assurance.
"It's such a headache. The councillors have now demanded Rp 4.25 billion (US$472,222) for life assurance for the council's 85 members," a senior city official, who asked not to be named, told reporters here on Thursday. Page 3
President Megawati Soekarnoputri addressed a gala dinner in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, held by the United States-Indonesia Society during her visit to the U.S. Page 5
Sanchez-Vicario survives scare as Clijsters cruises
TOKYO (Agencies): Fifth seed Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario saved three match points against Croatian qualifier Silvija Talaja before winning a marathon match 6-4 6-7 7-6 on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Toyota Princess Cup.
Top seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium, who received a first-round bye, began her bid for a second title of the year with a commanding 6-0 6-3 victory over Zimbabwe's Cara Black under floodlights at Tokyo's Ariake Colosseum. Page 6
World growth seen falling to Asian crisis levels
MANILA (AFP): Global economic growth could be cut by half this year, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warned Thursday, likening the fallout of the deadly terrorist attacks in the United States to the mid-1997 Asian crisis.
It said the destruction of the World Trade Center and part of the Pentagon by hijacked airliners last week would also help prolong Asia's downturn by at least half a year, with a subdued recovery not expected until next year. Page 10
BI mulls lowering interest rates
JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia (BI) will allow its benchmark interest rate to decline if pressure on prices and the rupiah continue to lessen over the next couple of weeks, central bank deputy governor Miranda Goeltom said on Thursday.
Miranda said that although Bank Indonesia would retain its tight money policy for the moment it was possible that reign over the policy would be considerably lessened in the near future.
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Pakistan ruler plays India card to rally support
ISLAMABAD (Agencies): Pakistan's military ruler has played one of the few cards he has to rally the nation behind his decision to side with Washington in its war on terrorism -- a fear and hatred of nuclear rival India.
Portraying his decision as the only possible choice for Pakistan, Gen. Pervez Musharraf told the nation on Wednesday that India was busy using the crisis spawned by the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States to harm Pakistan and its interests.
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