Probosutedjo's generosity

Probosutedjo's generosity

Businessman Probosutedjo handed over a plot of land on Jl. Pintu Besar, downtown Jakarta, with a building on it to the Jakarta administration.

The large property is located adjacent to the Wayang Museum.

Aid from businesspeople to the government is normal. But, handing over such a property is very rare nowadays. Usually there is something behind a businessperson's generosity.

Probosutedjo (a half brother of former president Soeharto) donated the property following the request from Ali Sadikin, former Jakarta governor. "I am willing to give up (the property) as Bang (elder brother) Ali asked me."

It was Ali Sadikin, well-reputed for developing the capital city, who provided Probosutedjo's company, PT Mertju Buana, with an old building for an office in 1967.

For the Jakarta administration, the property handover is really significant, because the existing Wayang Museum can no longer accommodate its collection, whereas buying such a plot is very expensive.

Responding to Promosutedjo's request, Jakarta Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo said the administration would take care the building properly.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta

;; ANPAk..r.. Otherop-US-Iraq U.S. involvement in Iraq JP/6/Iraq

U.S. involvement in Iraq

"I recognize that not all of our friends agreed with our decision to enforce the Security Council resolutions and remove Saddam Hussein from power. Yet, we cannot let past differences interfere with present duties," George W. Bush said in his speech to the nation.

The speech was just as much aimed at the rest of the world. After its war adventure in Iraq, the United States needs help.

It borders on audacity for President Bush to ask the world to help out in Iraq. Last autumn, he had no use for the United Nations. Now, his staff is all but begging the United Nations to become more involved. That's because the Iraq war has become costly in both money and loss of human life.

Of course Norway and other countries must contribute to helping the Iraqis, who have gotten rid of a tyrant and dictator, but the United States can no longer demand to decide the military, political and economic developments in the country.

The U.S. request for an international military force under American command must be rejected. Such a force's duties and responsibilities should be done under U.N. leadership, but without the United Nations becoming an excuse for the United States.

-- Dagbladet, Oslo, Norway