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
;JP;KHS;ASA;MNK; ANPAa..r.. Scene-House-govt-debate House, govt debate political bill JP/4/scen18
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
;JP;KHS;ASA;MNK; ANPAa..r.. Scene-stroke-younger-people Stroke attacks younger people JP/4/scen18 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
;JP;KHS;ASA;MNK; ANPAa..r.. Scene-Thais-die-AIDS Thais die of AIDS after arrest: official JP/4/scen18
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