Soeharto to talk to children

JAKARTA: On the occasion of National Children's Day on July 23, President Soeharto will hold a rare discussion with a number of selected children by satellite.

Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro said that TVRI, the state-owned television station, is currently selecting the children, all from outlying regions, who will have the privilege of talking with the head of state.

Although he is not involved in the selection process, Wardiman said the children would be selected from Irian Jaya, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Aceh.

This year's National Children's Day celebrations will center on the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah recreation park in East Jakarta. Some 440 children from all of Indonesia's 27 provinces will be brought to Jakarta for the occasion. In addition, some 10,000 Jakarta school children will be invited to attend the celebration.

The satellite discussions will be transmitted from Taman Mini. (anr)