Semeru spews hot lava

Semeru spews hot lava

LUMAJANG, East Java: Mount Semeru in East Java spewed hot lava
on Sunday, but local residents living at the vicinity have
decided to stay.

Suparno, a staff at the local volcano monitoring office, said
Sunday that the lava was expelled as far as 250 meters from the
mountain peak.

The seismograph at the Candipuro monitoring post recorded 87
volcanic eruptions with a maximum amplitude of 42 meters.

Some minor eruptions were followed by a rise in water level in
the Curah Kebokan and Curah Lenkong rivers.

Amid the signs of volcanic eruption, local residents continued
their daily activities. They said that the lava was still far
from their homes.

Suparno said that local residents would take refugee only if
animals from the forest descended the mountain. -- Antara

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PNG urged to help combat separatism
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PNG urged to help combat separatism

JAYAPURA, Papua: The Trikora military command has asked the
government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to help Indonesia in
combating separatist groups in the province.

Secretary of the Trikora military command Brig. Gen. Wurdin
Zainal said on Sunday that separatist groups were using border
areas as hideouts.

According to Zainal, separatist groups often crossed the
border to escape the Indonesian military (TNI).

"Our members often find difficulties in chasing the separatist
groups because they flee into PNG," Zainal said.

He added that the request for help had been submitted to the
Border Administration Officers in Vanimo so that they could take
any necessary actions.

Zainal said PNG should prevent the separatist groups from
hiding along the border. - Antara

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Universities told to boost quality
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Universities told to boost quality

BANDUNG, West Java: Minister of National Education Abdul Malik
Fajar expressed concerns on Saturday over the poor quality of the
country's universities and urged them to stop designing programs
aimed at generating income.

Malik Fajar noted that universities had been functioning like
stores, offering various programs and grades without improving
their quality.

The minister suggested that universities develop a positive
image for the people, "Because a positive image can create hope
for the future," he said after inaugurating the rector of
Padjadjaran University here on Saturday.

Himendra Wargadibrata was reelected rector for the next four
years after serving in the same post for the 1998-2002 period.

During the same occasion, the minister called for an increase
in the educational budget for elementary schools.

He said that so far, the government had allocated 90 percent
of the educational budget towards universities, while elementary
schools received only 10 percent. -- Antara

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Mega attends gathering held by Acehnese
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Mega attends Acehnese gathering

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri attended a halal
bihalal (a post-Idul Fitri gathering) on Sunday, held by Acehnese
living in greater Jakarta.

The event, which took place at Hall B of the Jakarta
Fairground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, aimed not only to
forgive each other but also to commemorate the signing of the
cessation of hostilities agreement on Dec. 9, 2002, between the
Indonesian government and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM)
in Geneva.

Tens of thousands of Acehnese hailing from Jakarta, Bogor,
Tangerang, Bekasi and Banten began to arrive en masse at the
building on Sunday morning.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno,
Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS Suwandi, Minister of
Defense Matori Abdul Djalil and Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh also
attended the event.

A number of Acehnese figures, such as former deputy chairman
of the House of Representatives (DPR) Ismail Hasan Metareum,
former State Minister for Human Rights Hasbalah Saad, and Lt.
Gen. (ret.) Tamlicha Ali also took part in the event.

Noted Islamic preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar in his sermon
expressed hope that hostilities between the government and GAM
would soon cease after the signing of the peace agreement and
that they could later forge a cooperation for the benefit of the
Acehnese people. --Antara