REFUGEES STUCK IN "TRANSIT COUNTRIES" by Fardah

      Jakarta, June 30, 2009 (ANTARA) - Escaping from war-torn Afghanistan, more and more Afghan refugees, including women and children, in fact have ended up in Indonesian jails instead of in the land of their dreams, Australia. 

       Indonesia has been 'kind enough' to become a 'very strong fortress' protecting neighboring Australia from refugees, especially those from Afghanistan. 

        Stuck in Indonesia, most of them have lived in the country for four to six years, cannot work, go to school, or settle down. According to information from Crikey website, Australia provides $18 million a year directly to the Indonesian government to improve 'migration management and border security in Indonesia'.         

News Focus: HEAL OCEANS TO SAVE PLANET EARTH by Fardah

      Jakarta, June 24, 2009 (ANTARA) - The world's oceans which cover two thirds or more than 70 percent of Earth's surface, are an important source of life. Millions of people depend on oceans and coastal areas in earning a living. 

        Indonesia, marine tourism revenue reached US$2 billion per year and the country earned around US$2.2 billion from fish exports in 2008, according to Alfred Nakatsuma, director of the Environment office of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), recently. 

RI SKEPTICAL ABOUT NETANYAHU'S "PLAY OF WORDS" by Fardah

    Jakarta, June 17, 2009 (ANTARA) - The occupation of Palestine by Israel is not just a Palestinian or Israeli problem nor a mere Middle East issue but a matter of  world-wide concern as reflected by the fact that  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech last Sunday (June 14) drew comments from  many sides of the globe.

        After decades of occupying Palestine, Netanyahu said for the first time that Israel would endorse a 'limited Palestinian state', on condition the future Palestinian state did not have an army, and recognized Israel as a Jewish state - another way of saying Palestinian refugees must give up their hopes of returning to lost homes inside Israel.

Sail Bunaken To gather Sailors in Spirit of Brotherhood by Fardah

   Jakarta, June 6 (ANTARA) -  Around 8,000 sailors from all over the world are expected to participate in the  Sail Bunaken 2009 to be organized in Manado, North Sulawesi, on  August 12-20, 2009.        
    "Ship crew members from many countries will sail to Manado to visit the Bunaken marine park. Sail Bunaken will be greater than the Bunaken Festival which was held earlier," North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Sarundajang said in Manado recently.
    Sail Bunaken is aimed at building a sense of seamen's brotherhood and enhancing international relations, Commodore Willem Rampangilei, commander of the Indonesian Navy's Main Base VIII, said.