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Tuesday 13th August 1996

International:

The "autocrat of Asia" is wielding his much vaunted power in our part of the world again. President Suharto's Indonesian government has intensified its crack down on "suspected communists and pro-democracy activists", arresting a key opposition figure and calling the nation's most famous writer in for questioning.

It also summonsed the sister of ousted People's Democratic Party (PDR) leader, Mrs Megawati Surkanoputri.

The attorney-general's department confirmed yesterday that PRD leader Mr Budiman Sujatmiko, who it is suspected was appointed in Megawati's place by some government skulduggery, has been taken into custody.

Such is politics in the land of Suharto and the growing family business empire centered around the "New Order Government". It (Suharto) decided to hack the only opposition down at the knees in the lead up to the new election by banning DPR public meetings and by looting their offices. The people of Jakarta rioted and now the DPR leaders are the criminals.

What a country - what a joke, and Australian Prime Minister John Howard will go there soon with a big smile on his face as if everything is hunky-dory while we slam Burma for similar attrocities....

Political:

A new report has raised the hurdle for the coalition's first budget by estimating that the starting point for the deficit is Au$1.3 billion worse than the "Au$8 billion black hole" revealed by Mr Costello on the 12th March this year.

According to a leading private sector forecaster, Access Economics, the Howard Government faces an underlying budget deficit of about Au$9 billion.

On the same day we have that man Paul Keating (ex-Prime Minister extraordinaire) sounding a warning that Australia faced lower economic and employment growth as a result of the Howard Government's plans to "suborn" the next governor of the Reserve Bank into giving priority to low inflation.

Remember that this is the guy who delivered us the the Au$9 billion black hole in the first place. Put it on the credit card, she'll be right mate, stuff... Welcome to fairyland Paul - butt out, you had your day.

It was actually a big day for Paul with a "tell all" book being launched by one of his closest advisors, author John Edwards. The book, Keating - the inside story, is full of glowing reports (otherwise Paul and wife Anita wouldn't have launched it...) with the most controversial comment about the man being that he used a trampoline at home to keep his arteries clear... touch of Michael Jackson stuff?

Business:

BHP Ltd has restated its willingness to abide by United States laws which give President (Star Fleet Commander) Bill Clinton powers to sanction foreigners investing more than Au$40 million in Iran.

BHP would not comment directly on a report in the Gulf News newspaper that it had withdrawn from negotiations to help build a US$11 billion gas pipeline between Iran and Pakistan.

My advice to BHP, which amounts to blowing hot air I know, is to take no notice of the US authorities who only care for one thing and that is the power brokers who control that countries politicians like so many puppets on a piece of string.

Sport:

Our Global Hero of July 1996, was again turning in strong sprint performances yesterday. Young Cathy Freeman, the Australian Aboriginal athlete, won the 300 metres at the Preformance Games at Crystal Palace in London. Her time of 36.43 seconds was good enough to edge out American Kim Graham and Jamaican Juliet Campbell.

In other news Greg Norman had a pretty dismal day at the US PGA with a final round of 73 bringing him in 17th position. Norman said that he had considered withdrawing by the time he reached the sixth hole but did not want to abandon his playing partner, Kenny Perry.

Steve Elkington, the Aussie who won the event last year, performed extremely well at the PGA coming in equal third.

Personal trivia, from the global office:

Another gorgeous day outside after a cold start. Pure, light blue sunny skies above the sparkling Brisbane river below and a gaggle of noisy sulphur crested cockatoos making a meal of the feedtray outside the windows of the global office. For those of you sitting in flats, glass offices ot otherwise cocooned by humanity take a moment to enjoy my daily perspective of life.

C'ya and have a great day, mate!

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