CHRIST STATUE
A statue of Christ to commemorate East Timor's 'integration' with Indonesia is planned to be the second biggest in the world, after the Brazilian Christ. However, it may not reach completion, because East Timorese civil servants are refusing to contribute. The statue itself was donated by Garuda Airlines. But only about 10% of the Rp 4.5 billion (AU$2 million) cost of the base has come in from civil servants' salaries. Parliamentarian Manuel Carrascalao says a ruling forcing civil servants to make compulsory contributions is 'extortion'.
Gatra, 16 March 1996.

NO NUKES
Former Mines and Energy Minister Subroto says Indonesia is rich in energy resources, and there is no need to resort to nuclear energy. Subroto, also a former president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), thinks oil, gas, coal, hydro- and geothermal energy resources are adequate for Indonesia's needs. 'If the plan to build a nuclear power plant is implemented in the near future, the considerations would certainly be political,' he said.
AFP, 14 March 1996.

TURTLE SAFE
The US threatened to ban imports of Indonesian prawns by 1 May unless Indonesia proved it was properly implementing measures to make prawn trawlers safe for sea turtles and marine mammals. An American delegation found that Turtle Exclusion Devices were available in areas around Sorong, but they were an old model, too heavy to be effective.
The Indonesian industry escaped the ban on condition of improving them. It now hopes to profit from the exclusion of other suppliers from the American market. Pressure for the ban came from US conservation groups.
Business Indonesia, 19 March & 2 May 1996.

MEGA BOOST
Chairman of the large Islamic group NU, Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), says PDI chairperson Megawati will not stand for President now, but would be ready in about 8 years time. He praises her calm amidst the pressure of supporters to declare herself now.
However should there be a political upheaval, Gus Dur says, Megawati is ready now. 'If one is called by history one has to be ready, and she is ready. If not, she will patiently await her chance. That is the mark of a mature leader', he said.
Radio Australia, 14 February 1996.

THIRD DIRTIEST
Jakarta has the third worst air pollution in the world, according to a report published by the UN Environment Programme in October last year. 70% Of the air pollution comes from motor vehicles. The worst are Mexico City and Bangkok.
Kompas, 1 April 1996.

Indonesia ranks third most corrupt in an annual survey of business opinion in 12 Asian nations conducted by the Hong Kong based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd.
First and second are China and Vietnam. The three countries after Indonesia are the Philippines, India, and Thailand. Singapore maintains its reputation as a corruption-free haven in the region.
AFP, 7 April 1996.

CHINA ON TIMOR
Chinese globes and atlases do not recognise East Timor as part of Indonesia. They show it as a separate administrative entity, according to academic Geoffrey C. Gunn in Japan. The official 'Administrative Division Atlas of the World', published by China Geographical Services Press in Beijing in 1993, lists Indonesia as having only 26 provinces, excluding East Timor.
The atlas also does not recognise the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus, nor the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara. All Chinese maps and globes right down to tennis-ball sized ones appear to be consistent on these points.
reg.easttimor, 4 April 1996.

CFC'S OUT
Indonesia has signed an agreement with the UN Development Programme committing itself to phase out ozone depleting substances (ODS) like CFC's and halons by the end of 1997. Assistance worth nearly a quarter of a million US dollars will be channeled to two substantial ODS consuming companies. Most ODS in Indonesia are used in air conditioners.
Antara, 9 April 1996.

FREEPORT RE-INSURED
After cutting its US$100 million political risk insurance for Freeport's Grasberg mine in Irian Jaya on 31 October last year, OPIC has agreed to reinstate it temporarily until 31 December 1996. Freeport has dropped proceedings against OPIC, but will not be permitted to reapply for insurance after that date.
The reinstatement followed a voluntary environmental study commissioned by Freeport and conducted by consultants Dames and Moore. OPIC will monitor implementation of the study's recommendations.
reg.westpapua 20 April 1996.

170 000 WITH AIDS?
The number of HIV/AIDS victims in Indonesia may have reached nearly 170 000, according to WHO figures quoted in Parliament by former Health Minister Adhyatma. He urged more funding for non-government organisations to help deal with the epidemic.
Official figures stand at only 376 cases. These put the largest number of new infections in Merauke and Kaimana (Irian Jaya), where the disease was brought by Thai fishermen.
Antara 16 December 1995; Media Indonesia, 5 March 1996.

MAMA YOSEPHA
Amungme tribal spokeswoman 'Mama' Yosepha told Freeport chief Jim Moffett: 'My son Moffett, in the past I put you inside my noken (traditional bag for carrying babies and pigs). I took you with me wherever I went, but I did not realise that you suck my blood until it's all drained, and I remain only as bones without flesh. Now I pick you out of my noken and will throw you far away.'
Moffett, apparently tearful, later asked her: 'Mama, can I be put inside your noken again?'. But she replied: 'When I have thrown something, I will not pick it up again. But if you promise to fulfil our demands, written on paper, then I will put you inside my noken again.'
AAP, 17 March 1996.

BAMBANG'S CITY
Presidential son Bambang Trihatmodjo plans to build the biggest private city in the world. At 30 000 ha, larger than Surabaya, Jonggol in West Java will have 1.5 million houses. Bambang will develop it with property speculator Swie Teng (Tjahjadi Kumala). He has placed former top military intelligence officer Arie Sudewo on the board of directors, and has been buying village land at low prices there for several years.
The Housing Ministry is assisting. However, National Land Agency chief Soni Harsono was apparently not consulted on the deal. Nor was the Environment Ministry - the area is supposed to be reserved for ground water absorption.
Pipa, 15 April 1996.

GENEVA, GENEVA
Following a visit to East Timor and meetings with both President Suharto and jailed Resistance leader Xanana in December, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Jose Ayala-Lasso reports that human rights violations in the territory are 'very grave'.
However, negotiations to open permanent UN human rights access to East Timor are making little progress. And on 22 April the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva adopted a minimalist Consensus Statement on East Timor that committed no one to anything. Except for Lasso's visit, nothing contained in earlier Statements has been implemented.
Reuter, 22 March 1996; reg.easttimor, 25 April 1996.