Tribal communities to hold congress

Tribal communities to hold congress

JAKARTA: The Tribal Communities Alliance Across the
Archipelago (AMAN) is scheduled to hold its second congress next
month, to discuss issues concerning the daily lives of tribal
members.

As many as 1,081 tribal delegates are expected to attend the
congress, which is to be held at Tanjung village, North Lombok,
West Nusa Tenggara, from Sept. 19 to Sept. 24.

Nobel laureate Rigoberta Mancu of Guatemala is scheduled to
attend the congress as an observer.

Raden Bestari, the alliance leader, said on Friday the tribal
communities had long demanded the government reinstate their
communal rights.

"Most of our members complain about state violations on their
lands and the difficulties they face due to their beliefs," he
said, adding that the alliance was also seeking donations from
the government to help finance the meeting.

AMAN comprises 1,004 tribal communities and 12 million people
living on communal land across the country. -- JP

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House asked to evaluate military operation in Aceh
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House asked to evaluate Aceh operation

SURABAYA: The country's largest Muslim organization, Nadhlatul
Ulama (NU), has called on the House of Representatives to
evaluate the military operation in Aceh.

Also, noted rights activist Todung Mulya Lubis has urged the
government to end the military offensive that has left almost 700
suspected rebels dead.

The chairman of NU's chapter in East Java, Ali Maschan Moesa,
said the government should focus on humanitarian and law
enforcement operations in Aceh, and persuade rebels to lay down
their arms and return to their homes.

"I suggest the House stop the assault and try persuasion, like
humanitarian and welfare operations," he said during a discussion
on Friday.

He said the government must win the hearts of the Acehnese by
giving them "real autonomy, instead of 'regional-ruler
autonomy'".

Todung agreed with Ali, saying the three-month military
operation in Aceh had gone on "long enough".

"The House must evaluate the operation. They should not permit
the military operation in Aceh to continue for the sake of the
2004 elections or political interests. The interests of the
Acehnese must be taken into account," he said. -- Antara

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Megawati inaugurates the Samudraraksa expedition
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Megawati inaugurates Samudraraksa boat

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri inaugurated on
Friday the Samudraraksa boat, which is scheduled to sail the
"Cinnamon Route" from Indonesia to Ghana, during a ceremony at
the Ancol port.

The Samudraraksa expedition, which will include stops in
Seychelles, Madagascar, Cape Town and Ghana, is expected to be
completed in December.

The route was used in the cinnamon trade in the past.

The traditional wooden boat was designed by marine
archaeological expert Nick Burningham and made by Indonesian boat
craftsman Asad Abdullah. The size of the boat is similar to
traditional boats from the 8th century, but is equipped with
modern navigational equipment.

As many as 10 sailors, half women, will take part in the
expedition, which will be led by I Gusti Putu Ngurah Sedana.
--Antara

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Alliance Party registers for the election
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Alliance Party registers for the election

JAKARTA: The Indonesia Nationalist Alliance Party registered on
Friday with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights for an
administration screening ahead of the 2004 elections.

Party chairman Hadidjojo Nitimihardjo said his party was ready
to contest the upcoming elections.

"We expect to win 3 percent of the vote," he said.

Only parties that earn 2 percent of the vote or more in the
2004 elections will be eligible to contest the 2009 elections.

The alliance party was created from 11 parties that took part
in the 1999 elections. -- Antara

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Siswono named as presidential candidate
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Siswono named presidential candidate

JAKARTA: The People's Core Nationalist Party (PNIK) 1927 named
on Friday former minister Siswono Yudhohusodo its presidential
candidate for the 2004 elections.

Siswono, who is also the chairman of the Indonesian Farmers
Solidarity Union, said he was honored to be selected as PNIK's
candidate, and added that another six parties had asked him to be
their candidates.

He said he would not join any political party despite the
offers from the political parties to become their presidential
candidates.

Siswono said he was working on his platform. He did elaborate
on whether he had agreed to be nominated as a presidential
candidate by any of the parties. -- Antara