Ukiah Daily Journal from Ukiah, California • Page 2

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1998 THE UKIAH DAILY JOURNAL AFTERNOON BRIEFING A quick read of the world NASA calls for asteroid waiting period Associated Press Mobs run wild in Indonesia JAKARTA, Indonesia Thousands of anti-government rioters set fire to cars, shops and homes in a frenzy of looting across Jakarta today amid remarks by President Suharto that he might be willing to step aside. Plumes of smoke billowed across the city skyline from more than a dozen fires set by arsonists in one of the worst days of rioting in Indonesia in Suharto's 32-year rule. Unrest has been building as Indonesia endures its worst economic crisis in decades. The increasing chaos has prompted uncertainty over the political future of the world's fourth most-populous nation. Newspapers carried reports claiming that President Suharto, the target of anger by protesters, could possibly step down.

Parliamentary officials said they would discuss the issue next week. "There is no problem if the people don't trust me anymore. I won't be an obstacle," the newspaper Republika quoted the president as saying Wednesday during a visit to Egypt. Suharto cut his trip short today to return home. Suharto, 76, who has led Indonesia with little tolerance for dissent, has made similar comments about his leadership in the past, and officials said he did not intend to resign.

Mobs roamed the streets today. Security personnel fired warning shots to clear crowds, but in many areas mobs simply ran wild. Witnesses said one man was wounded by live bullets fired by police. Associated Press LOS ANGELES If professional stargazers catch sight of an asteroid that might be on a crash course for Earth, the government wants them to keep it quiet about it for at least 72 hours. The new procedures aim to avoid panic from mistaken reports of doomsday, like the flurry of worry in March when astronomers reported asteroid 1997XF11 could collide with Earth in 2028.

That was soon found to be erroneous. Astronomers whose work is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have agreed for now to keep asteroid and comet discoveries to themselves for 48 hours while more detailed calculations are made, the Los Angeles Times India swears off nuclear tests NEW DELHI, India After five nuclear explosions in three days, India says it plans no more even if neighboring rival Pakistan conducts its own nuclear test. Pakistani officials are under great pressure to respond in kind to India, which has said both Pakistan and China threaten its security. Though no official announcement has been made, a Pakistani test was expected within days. Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee insisted the five surprise tests this week were necessary to protect his country in a nuclear world.

"Some countries think only of their own security and that they alone can take steps using nuclear technology to protect their borders and that others cannot do so," Vajpayee said. "We cannot accept this." India says its tests this week established its ability to build nuclear weapons and provided data it will use for computer modeling that will make future testing unnecessary. Three underground nuclear explosions Monday and two more Wednesday prompted the United States and other countries to announce immediate sanctions in an urgent attempt to stop a new nuclear arms race. In Germany, President Clinton announced economic sanctions against the New Delhi government, calling the tests "a terrible mistake." With TENNEN ALL NATURAL ALTERNATIVE Ukiah Natural Foods 721 S. State St.

Ukiah For more info. 1-800-424-7768 reported today. The findings would then go to NASA, which would wait another 24 hours before going public. The new interim procedures are not an attempt to hide anything but to make sure the information is accurate, said scientist Donald Yeomans of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, whose calculations helped dispel the fear asteroid 1997XF'll was headed straight for Earth. "It is an attempt for the small scientific community that tracks these objects to build a consensus, to determine if an asteroid is a threat," he said.

Some scientists question the new push from NASA, saying quick action from astronomers is needed to determine an asteroid's danger. "I don't think one should be secret about these things," said Brian G. Marsden, the director of the International Astronomical Union who made the announcement about 1997XFll's close pass to Earth. "I think the public would be unhappy." NASA officials were "very upset" that they first heard of the 1997XF11 threat from reporters. "Almost all of us found out by press release," Yeomans said.

"Clearly that is not the way it should work." The first reports estimated it would pass within 30,000 miles of the Earth's center and could possibly collide. That distance was later recalculated at safe distances of 600,000 miles. Some astronomers say releasing their discoveries quickly and openly is critical. When a new asteroid or comet is discovered, scientists need as many sightings as possible in order to precisely plot its orbit and gauge how close it may pass to Earth. In many cases, an asteroid gets lost in the star field before its orbit is calculated.

Usually, new observations are immediately reported to the Minor Planet Center, where it is posted on a Web site. In June, the National Research Council plans to convene astronomers and experts in risk assessment and hazard management meeting to consider how best to release news of potential disaster. Worries of comet-deliverea catastrophe have caught the attention of Hollywood, which this summer delivers two asteroid disaster movies: "Deep' Impact" and "Armageddon." Inventors do most anything for attention Associated Press MONROEVILLE, Pa. Rarely does a day go by when Luc Deprez is not thinking of a way to perfect his ride-on suitcase. First, he modified the motor to run on a battery instead of gasoline.

Then he replaced the steering wheel with a microphone so it could be voice-operated. On Wednesday, Deprez knelt beside his masterpiece, waving his hands along the sides to show where he could one day install a solar panel. The suitcase was among 2,000 gizmos on display at what is billed as the world's largest trade show for inventors. Products ranged from the "Intelligent Diaper," which beeps when a change is warranted, to low-tech creations like a rack for draining the last splats from a ketchup bottle. Like a kid taking a go-cart out for a spin, Deprez zoomed through the aisles, grinning as other exhibitors scowled over the media attention he was getting.

Some onlookers who tried to work the $500 suitcase had trouble, and one woman nearly toppled over. "You have to practice with it a little bit," said Deprez's brother- in-law, Jozef Denoyelle, who acted as an interpreter. The convention has been an annual event near Pittsburgh since 1982. In a warehouse-sized center jammed with displays, exhibitors from around the world fairly outdid themselves in a quest to get media attention and some free advertising. Matt Moolman of Johannesburg, South Africa, wrapped his hand in his patented fireproof cloth and gel, then amiably chatted with a reporter as he held it in a blowtorch flame.

"It can remove an enormous amount of heat and dissipate it," he said, keeping up the salesman's patter as the blue flame licked at his hand. Earlier in the day, Moolman wrapped himself in a fireproof blanket and walked through a wall of blazing hay bales as news cameras rolled. Alan Schulman of suburban Chicago admitted to a bit of creative truth-telling when it came to explaining the genesis of one of his inventions, the sock light. A blurb on the side of the package purported that Schulman invented the tiny motion-activated light for his drawer so he could find matching socks in the dark. Actually, a man working on cartons for another invention suggested the idea and Schulman ran with it.

He said the $7.95 battery-operated light will be in retailers such as Kmart and Walgreens by August. Bernice Ambroise tried hard not to pay any attention to the television beside her that ceaselessly played a commercial for her "Ear Kuff," a set of heat, resistant earmuffs meant to protect women from the tortures of blow dryers. "Ouch! It hurts to be beautiful," the commercial droned on and on. "I'm trying to tune it out right now," Ambroise sighed. "Four or five more days of this." Read about it in the Daily Journal Netanyahu states his case in U.S.

WASHINGTON With the Mideast peace process at a crossroads, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was taking his case against a 13 percent pullback on the West Bank to Congress and the American public before resuming talks with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The outlook for Netanyahu and Albright reaching agreement on the U.S. pullback proposal was unclear. "We still have not overcome the differences," a senior U.S. official said Wednesday following an initial 90-minute meeting between the Israeli leader and the secretary.

A senior adviser to Netanyahu, David Bar-Ulan, said the talks were being held in a "productive atmosphere," with both sides striving for a settlement. Netanyahu told reporters before Wednesday's opening session that he was hopeful for some progress, "but we will not compromise our security needs." Again, that view echoed in Congress where Rep. Jim Saxton, R- N.J., introduced a resolution urging the administration not to try to compel Israel to make concessions it says would jeopardize its security. "For 50 years the Israelis have been our best ally, not only in the Middle East, but in the world," Saxton said in an interview. "Time after time, on issue after issue, Israel has sided with us.

For this administration to push for something the Israeli government thinks is detrimental to them, and the Palestinians think is beneficial, is incredible in my view." IOIC UP TO 10 in 3 You are invited to a free lecture. BUILDING BRIDGES OF UNITY by Dorothy Dipuo Maubane, C.S.B. of Pretoria, South Africa a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship Thursday, May 21,1998, 7:30 p.m. Grace Hudson Museum Community Room 431 S. Main Ukiah sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist, Ukiah free child care provided at the church, 204 S.

Oak Ukaih Friday, May 15 Saturday May 16 signup either day Win two tickets to Giants and Diamondback Game Win Sun Chlorine sun chlorine Tablets, sticks and powdered Chlorine (selected sizes) giveaways both days local drawing to be held 5 pm. See store for details Find the pet for you in Journal Classifieds POOL, SPA, PATIO SHOWROOM 509 So. State Ukiah 462-7305 HOURS: Mon-Sat. "Limited to stock on hand At Your Service Main Circulation Number 468-3533 Classified Numbers Advertising 468-3529 Dennis Wilson-Publisher 468-3500 K.C. Meadows-Editor 468-3526 Ray Hamill-Sports Editor 468-3518 Lois O'Ronrke-Community News Features Editor 468-3522 Barbara Vasconcellos Chief Photographer 468-3538 Janet Noe-Advertising Director 468-3510 Eddie Sequela-Advertising 468-3509 Gail Walker-Advertising 468-3512 Joe Chavez-Advertising 468-3513 Victoria Hamblet-Advertising 468-3514 Sarah Sutherland-Adv.

Asst. NEE Coordinator 468-3528 Vic Martinez-Production Yvonne Bell-Office Manager 468-3506 Ken Bohl-Circulation Manager 468-3532 UDJ Web site www.ukiahdailyjournal.com E-mail The Dally Journal is printed on at least 25 percent recycled newsprint. Low rub ink is also used. Complete the loop and recycle your newspaper. 526 S.

St. P.O. Box 1410 Ukioh, California 95482 Ukiah Valley 2400 N. STATE UKIAH 462-2800 Sharia' Stitches 4 Strottf 462-7397 HOPLAND CASINO UKIflH FORD yry ir WE maml Medical Center Xdventist Health "lilt Unit UruK Sturi' In Timn Ukiah Main Store 462-9711 Pharmacy 462-9751 The Ukiah Daily Journal is proud to be part of the Newspapers In Education Program, along with these NIE sponsors. Ukiah Daily 'ournal Publication Published Daily except Saturday by Ukiah Daily Journal at 590 S.

School Ukiah, Mendocino County, Calif. Phone: (707) 468-3500. Court Decree No. 9267 Periodicals Postage Paid at Ukiah, CA -SUGGESTED MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION RATES- DELIVERY TYPE PRICE Route 8.50 Motor Route 9.00 Mail in Mendocino Mail Outside the County $14.00 All prices include California State sales tax. Motor Route and Mail Delivery must be paid in advance.

Ukiah Daily Journal Is not responsible for advance payment made payable to carriers. Payments In advance should be mailed directly to the Ukiah Daily Journal. Your newspaper should be delivered before 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and before 7 a.m. Sunday.

There Is no delivery on Saturday. To report a missed newspaper, call the Circulation Department between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. or between 7 and 9 a.m. Sunday.

Save lime. Dial direct (707) 468-3533. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Ukiah Daily Journal, Post Office Box 749, Ukiah California 95482. Business Hours 8 a.m. 5:30 p.m.

CLOSED CLOSED Saturday Sunday Circulation hours 8 am 6:30 p.m. CLOSED 7 a.m. 9 a.m..