Jakarta – Thousands of bank employees and bus drivers staged separate demonstrations in Jakarta yesterday, demanding greater rights for workers.

Sander Thoenes, Jakarta – Former President Suharto yesterday filed a multi-billion dollar libel suit against Time magazine in a case that highlights the new government's failure to pursue corruption charges against him.

With the rise of militia activity in a number of regencies in the last eight months has led to an increase in violence perpetrated against the general population. Many have become victims of killings, detention, rape, torture, looting, losing their homes and their entire possesions when their houses are burned by militia.

The situation of internally displaced people (IDP's) in East Timor is worsening by the day. They must face intimidation, terror; their houses are burned; health conditions are very poor with a high mortality rate due to disease and lack of adequate food.

Tangerang – Jailed labor activist Dita Indah Sari of the Democratic People's Party (PRD) left the women's penitentiary here on Monday after spending two years in prison.

Jakarta – In a bid to cast off their image as ruthless supporters of the authoritarian New Order regime of ex-president Soeharto, police have begun to don new uniforms and are now conducting charity programs to help the poor.

In conjunction with the 53rd anniversary of the National Police, the Jakarta Police is providing medical assistance to impoverished people.

Yogyakarta – The office of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) in Yogyakarta, came under attack on Saturday evening (3/7) 23.30, by an unidentified group of people who were armed with machetes. Aside from damaging the office, the attackers also wounded a PRD activist, Endik, on his arm and left hip.

Jakarta – An unidentified group yesterday attacked an office of the Democratic People's Party (PRD), following last week's shooting of PRD activists by security officials.

Sigit Widodo, Jakarta – Dita Indah Sari, chairperson of the Indonesian Centre for Labour Struggle (PPBI) – which is affiliated to the People's Democratic Party (PRD) – was released from the Tangerang Women's Prison on Monday, July 5. Upon being released, Dita went pay a visit to her mother's grave, Nonya Lili Fernandes.

Jakarta – Indonesian police arrested 19 separatists and shot and injured one of them Monday after they hoisted their flag in front of a district parliament building in Irian Jaya province, a report said.

The state Antara news agency said police opened fire, wounding one separatist in the neck, when the group resisted efforts to haul down the flag in the district of Sorong.

Jakarta – Pro-independence Timorese leaders Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos Horta met Indonesian armed forces chief General Wiranto here Monday to discuss the precarious security situation in East Timor ahead of a vote on self-determination.

Sigli – Some 25,000 people have fled their homes in Pidie district up to Sunday, 4 July and sub-district Tangse is almost entirely deserted. Thousands more villagers have fled a number of villages in sub-distrct Bandar Baru because they no longer feel safe in their homes.

The Indonesian Government has condemned an attack by pro-Jakarta militias on a United Nations-escorted aid convoy in East Timor, and has promised to investigate the incident.

This morning, at 3am, the offices of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) in East Jakarta located on Jalan Utan Kayu was stoned by an unknown group of people. The attack was carried out by around 10 who threw rock from the vehicle without getting out then quickly left.

Bogi Rianto and Sigit Widodo, Jakarta – In the aftermath of the Bloody KPU Incident on July 1 on Saturday, July 3, it was announced that the Jakarta police have issued an arrest warrant for Hendri Kuok, the People's Democratic Party (PRD) representative on the Public Election Commission (KPU).

On Saturday, July 3, at 11.20pm, the People's Democratic Party (PRD) offices in Yogyakarta was raided by unrecognised group armed with knives, sticks and molotov cocktails. The gangsters raided the office while shouting "Allah Akbar" (God is Great!!!). They attacked those PRD cadres living there.

Jakarta – Military and police officials are blaming supporters of the Democratic People's Party (PRD) for provoking the bloody clash with police outside the headquarters of the General Elections Commission (KPU) in Central Jakarta on Thursday.

Jakarta – Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Wiranto says an investigation into rights abuses from the 10-year-long military operation in Aceh is unnecessary, warning it would open the floodgates for similar grievances left over from the New Order regime.

Jakarta – Nearly 300 protesters from the People's Democratic Party, known by its Indonesian short as PRD, pressed on Friday with a rally outside the General Election Commission's office following Thursday's bloody clash with riot police that left more than 20 injured, either hit by batons or shot at by rubber or plastic bullets.

Semarang – A military court here sentenced on Friday former Bantul regent Army Col. Sri Roso Sudarmo to nine months imprisonment after finding him guilty of bribing a foundation chaired by former president Soeharto in 1996 to ensure his reelection as regent.

4,000 people fleeing from villages in the sub-district Tangse, Pidie. who were on their way to the mosque in Beureuneun yesterday Friday, were obstrcuted along the way by troops and forced to halt their exodus, staying instead in a mosque in Tangse.

Budi Sugiharto, Surabaya – Around 200 Surabaya students from a number of tendencies demonstrated in the center of Surabaya on Friday, July 2. Before the demonstration they held a "long march" from the University of Airlingga (Unair). They moved off after Friday prayers at around 1pm.

Jakarta – Muslim clerics and students stepped up their opposition on Friday to Megawati Soekarnoputri's presidential candidacy, citing Islamic law and saying she was not capable of leading the country.

Medan – Police here defended on Thursday the use of severe measures against alleged looters in Dua Puluh Baru village last week in an incident in which a woman was killed.

Manatuto – The UN mission in East Timoris checking allegations of an illegal voter registration drive ahead of an August ballot on autonomy or independence in this Indonesian-ruled territory.

Local government representatives have visited villages here to find out whether residents supported autonomy under Indonesia or independence, a source in this town said.

Sydney – Rebel leader Jose Alexandre Gusmao should be released from Indonesian custody and allowed to take part in the ballot on East Timor 's future, United Nations special envoy Jamsheed Marker said Friday.

Jakarta – A People's Democratic Party (PRD) demonstration in front of the National Election Commission (KPU) building [on June 1], demanding the disqualification of Golkar because of a number of violation in the 1999 elections, was violently broken up by police. As well as shooting at demonstrators, the police also kicked and beat them.

Sam King, Jakarta – PRD activists in Jakarta again took to the streets in protest of the previous days military attack, once again calling for the disqualification of Golkar party from the elections for election rigging and demanding the withdrawal of the dual function of the military.

[The following was compiled and translated by ASIET from three reports by Detikcom dated July 2, the day after riot police fired on People's Democratic Party (PRD) demonstrations injuring as many as 76. A number remain in hospital under intensive care and a several others have been arrested by police or have "disappeared" - James Balowski.]

We vigorously condemn the Indonesian military and police for the violent and bloody attack on peaceful, unarmed protesters campaigning for democracy at a rally organised on July 1 in Jakarta, by the People's Democratic Party (PRD). The 2000 demonstrators were protesting against vote rigging by the ruling Golkar party in Indonesia's June 7 election.

Jose Manuel Tesoro, Blitar – The answer to what Indonesia would look like under Megawati Sukarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle might best be found not in the buzzing capital, Jakarta, but in the modest East Java town of Blitar four hours' drive south of Surabaya.

In the 50s and 60s, Hasyim Rachman was the publisher and editor of the anti-imperialist daily newspaper, Bintang Timur, one of Indonesia's highest selling newspapers. Bintang Timur was banned by the Suharto regime in 1965. Hasyim Rahman was gaoled for 14 years, including 10 years on Buru Island. He was never charged or put on trial.

[The following is a summary of four reports by Detikcom compiled and translated by ASIET on the shooting of as many as 14 People's Democratic Party (PRD) activists during a demonstration in front of the National Election Committee (KPU) building in central Jakarta on the afternoon of July 1 - James Balowski.]

Tomi Soetjipto, Jakarta – At least three people were wounded on Thursday when Indonesian police fired on protesters demanding that the ruling Golkar party be disqualified from last month's historic parliamentary election, witnesses said.

[The following is an eyewitness report by Jill Hickson and Sam King, two ASIET members who are currently in Jakarta and were at the demonstration.]

A rally by the People's Democratic Party (PRD) that mobilised 2000 people in Jakarta was attacked by police and military. The protesters were beaten and shot, injuring more than 100, two are in critical condition.

Dili – The UN mission in East Timor (UNAMET) has withdrawn seven staff from its unarmed outpost in the town of Viqueque after the second incident of harrassment by pro-Indonesian militia in a week, a UNAMET spokesman said Thursday.

Jakarta – Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto denied on Tuesday the presence of security troops in Aceh was causing residents to flee the volatile province.

Tantyo Bangun and Jonathan Sprague – The west wind shakes the jermal – a fishing platform perched precariously on log stilts in the shallow seas off north Sumatra. It is some hours after midnight. "Wake up! Your turn to pull the net!" shouts the foreman, shaking Dian and four other boys. They head out into the pre-dawn dark.

Jakarta – Deserters from the Army's elite Special Forces (Kopassus) have been accused of involvement in widespread violence in restive Aceh province, where hundreds of people, mostly civilians, have been killed recently.

Jakarta – Indonesia will not allow Nobel peace laureate Jose Ramos-Horta to visit his native East Timor, a government minister said on Wednesday.

Ramos-Horta arrived in Jakarta last week, for the first time since Indonesia invaded his homeland and forced him into exile in 1975.

Jakarta – East Timor peace and reconciliation talks ended Wednesday in the Indonesian capital with no major agreement signed and pro-and anti-independence factions manifesting "profound divisions" despite a willingness to continue dialogue.

Dili – Hundreds of pro-independence fighters in East Timor have descended from the hills to sign a truce with the pro-Indonesian militia holding the town of Suai, a witness said Thursday.

About 400 soldiers of the Falintil, the armed wing of the pro-independence Council for East Timorese Resistance, signed the peace agreement brokered by a local priest, she said.

Ben Bohane, Irian Jaya – From the air, the Fly River looks like a vast brown intestinal tract, twisting its way through the tangled jungles of southern New Guinea. In the last century, European explorers navigated the river to see if it led to the heart of the island (it did).

First to East Timor, where Indonesian police sources have confirmed that at least two serving Indonesian soldiers and three retired military personnel were involved in yesterday's attack on a United Nation's post in the town of Maliana.

Dili – A 100-strong mob of pro-Indonesian militiamen attacked an unarmed UN outpost in East Timor Tuesday, injuring a woman electoral officer and several East Timorese, a UN official said.

Jakarta – Pro-Jakarta militia leader Eurico Guterres declared Tuesday that a stoning attack against a United Nations post in the East Timor town of Maliana was a "spontaneous" public reaction against an alleged pro-independence bias by the UN Mission in East Timor (UNAMET).

Jakarta – Indonesian presidential hopeful Megawati Sukarnoputri intends to go after not just ousted leader Suharto but other officials who have abused their positions, a report said Tuesday.

Jakarta – Security concerns led the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the government to cancel the elections in the Pidie and North Aceh regencies of Aceh.

KPU chairman Rudini said here on Monday the decision was made after taking into account escalating tension in the regencies and the possible risks if elections went ahead there.

Ambon – Thousands of people marched through a city in eastern Indonesia on Tuesday demanding the north of the troubled Moluccas become a separate province, witnesses said.

The student-backed movement brought the town to a halt in Ternate, some 2,400 km northeast of Jakarta. Witnesses put the number at more than 5,000.