U.S. to give $18m for 2004 vote
U.S. to give $18m for 2004 vote
JAKARTA: The U.S. government will give US$18 million (Rp 148
billion) to help Indonesia carry out its 2004 national elections.
The U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L. Boyce said on
Tuesday that the $18 million was part of U.S. government aid to
Indonesia this year which totals $130 million. Most of the money
is used to strengthen Indonesia's democracy, he added.
The funds will be used to finance the work of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), improvements with regional autonomy and the
civic education, including the strengthening of the curriculum at
Muslim institutions.
Other areas that will also be covered by the funds are
overseas education provided to the bright Indonesians and the
publication of books and other publications to foster democracy
in Indonesia, Boyce said.
He stressed that the aid did not mean the U.S. government
wanted something in return.
"We respect the Indonesian political system, and we don't want
to impose our system on Indonesia," said Boyce. -- JP
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Scene-House-govt-debate
House, govt debate political bill
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House, govt debate political bill
JAKARTA: Legislators and the Home Minister debated on Tuesday
the need for the General Elections Commission (KPU) to verify any
substitution of legislators.
The bill on composition of legislative bodies, outlined by the
ministry, states that House leaders must submit the names of
representative legislators and the candidates that will run in
the 2004 elections to the KPU for verification before the
election.
During Tuesday's meeting, the legislators and the minister
also discussed the conditions for substitution of legislators.
The bill says that a substitution can be made only if the
remaining legislative tenure is not less than six months. But
some legislators proposed just three months. -- JP
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Stroke attacks younger people
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Stroke attacks younger people
JAKARTA: Stroke has begun to attack younger people, starting
from the age of 30, compared to the previous pattern where the
ailment only attacked those aged above 50.
Haryono Suyono, Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Stroke
Foundation, said on Tuesday that the country's improving
condition, particularly in economics, has prompted young people
to consume more foods with higher cholesterol.
"Some experts predict that 12 million Indonesians above 35
could be susceptible to strokes," he said, adding that a
nationwide campaign to prevent strokes must be launched. --
Antara
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Scene-Thais-die-AIDS
Thais die of AIDS after arrest: official
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Thais die of AIDS after arrest: official
AMBON, Maluku: Two Thai nationals suffering from the AIDS
virus, died as their trawler was impounded by the Indonesian Navy
for alleged poaching in Indonesian waters, a local health
official claimed.
"We have received information about their deaths and we have
also asked the naval base in Ambon (to deal with the matter),"
head of Ambon health office, Dr Ristianto Sugiono, said here on
Tuesday.
He said other Thais suffering from the disease had been
questioned before they were deported to Thailand.
"Another HIV/AIDS patient at the Dr. Haulussy general hospital
also died two weeks ago," Ristianto said without mentioning
patient's nationality. -- Antara