---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://click.indo-news.com/cgi-indo-news/ads1 ++ Pemilu Online: http://www.indo-news.com/pemilu/ ++ ---------------------------------------------------------- SSN/WORLD BANK/IMF After a 48 hours delay and the Board of the World Bank approved on Thursday the loans of US $ 1.1 billion to Indonesia. While some funds may be turned over immediately the GOI agreed to hold them in an account until June 30 (Wall Street Journal 19.05). The approved funds embrace: $ 600 million dollar of funds for the SSN program, to be channelled in two traces, $ 500 million in policy reform support loan, $ 300 million supporting changes in the water sector, and $ 100 million loan on urban property project (JP 17.05 interview with Marc Baird). The Jakarta Post reported on May 7 that Bappenas received reports two weeks earlier that Golkar and PDR officials claimed SSN funds to be their parties funds. Recently Bappenas deputy chairman Herman Maerman said his office is not obliged to investigate the misuse of these funds. There was no leak in channelling the funds to the community institutions, he claims (Indonesian Observer 20.05) The GOI intents to sign a letter of intent with the IMF, either on Friday or Monday, which include assumptions reflecting a faster than anticipated economic recovery (eg. an inflation rate of 8 to 10 % compared to an earlier estimate of 17 %). This will pave way for the disbursement of another $ 460 million of bailout money from the IMF. The IMF has so far disbursed some $ 9.5 billion of its more then $ 12 billion loan commitment (JP 14.05). ELECTIONS 1999 Campaigning period May 19-7 June The KPU said that it had received reports on Golkar and PDR officials misusing SSN fund (mentioned above) There are also allegations of bribery against the PPP. The committee intents to sanction the parties 'with a prohibition from campaigning" (Reuters 10.05) In accordance with the KPU-rules three ministers had to resign from there ministerial post to be able to campaign for their parties: State Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz also chairman of the PPP, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung also chairman of Golkar and the Minsiter of Food and Agriculture A.M. Saefudelin also cabinet member of the PPP (JP 10.05) The KPU reasoned ministers could abuse their cabinet position to campaign for their parties. Bisness Times posses the question if KPU-members are not in the same predicament (12.05) ELECTIONS On Monday 17.05 Gus Dur, Megawati and Amien Rais release a Statement of the Combined Agreement stating the importance of fair, democratic and peaceful elections (JP 18.05). Habibie's campaign to be elected in the presidential elections suffered a serious blow when the three prominent figures formed a united front. Their deal is that the opposition party that wins the most votes at the general elections will get backing of the other two parties to nominate the next president (Sydney Morning Herald 19.05) Megawati had to cancel her visit to Lampung, because the District Police Chief did not give permission to hold a major meeting and campaign speech (Kompas 20.05). UNREST Aceh The death toll from the shooting near Lhokseumove on May 4 rose to 40. Wiranto decided to dispatch a battalion of 450 riot troops to Aceh (JP 08.05). While KomnasHam is still investigating the grenade attack on a military complex on May 10. The attack was apparently a reaction to the military shooting earlier (JP 12.05). Kontras reported most victims were shot from behind, while they were running away or lying down to avoid being struck (Indonesian Observer 14.05) HRWA came out with a Press Backgrounder on the subject: Indonesia: The May 4 Killings in Aceh. Irian Jaya On May 12 4 people died and 11 were taken into hostage by the OPM (Antara 11.05). EAST-TIMOR A UN police official said International civilian police contingence sponsored by the UN would be prepared for placement in East Timor before the voting on August 8. (Jakarta Post 10.05.99) Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner for HR appointed Soli Sorabjee as Personal Envoy to East Timor. He intents to undertake a high level mission to ET from 14 to 24 May 1999. Australia`s ambassador, Mr John McCarty, said he had seen evidence of a conspiracy to wreck the UN-supervised ballot scheduled on August 8. ( The Age 10.05.99) Hundreds of pro-independence supporters fled to Police Headquarters in Dili, following an assault of pro-integration followers. (Kompas 12.05.99) A pro-Indonesia paramilitary group accompanied by Indonesian Soldiers killed at least 32 unarmed civilians in a massacre at Atara village, Dili-based Yayasan-Hak said. Colonel Tono Surataman, a military commander, acknowledged the attack. (Sydney Morning Herald 19.05.99) ABRI Clinton administration was decided to send police commanders to train their Indonesian counterparts in how to deal with crowd control and riots, in preparation for the general elections. (Dow Jones 09.05) A 15.000 strong armed force was launched on May 10 to safeguard the capital during the campaigning period (Reuters ) CORRUPTION In one of the most comprehensive investigations of the Suharto family wealth Time Magazine was reported that the former Indonesian president and his children have amassed a billion US dollar fortune (Time Magazine 24 May `99) HUMAN RIGHTS Habibie lifted an almost 3 decades ban on the use and teaching of Mandarin language and discriminative citizenship requirements for Indonesian of Chinese origin. (Jakarta Post 08.05.99) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 23 May 1999 jam 17:12:23 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
