M A I N   N E W S

Riots erupt in Jakarta’s Chinatown

JAKARTA, May 13 (AFP) — Rioting broke out in Jakarta’s predominantly ethnic-Chinese business district today, two years after the savage riots that erupted in the city before the downfall of former President Suharto.

Residents said today’s rioting erupted after the police raided street stalls selling suspected pirated video-compact discs (VCDs).

Smoke was seen rising from several parts of the Glodok business district where rioters hurled Molotov cocktails into two automobile showrooms.

Toyota and BMW dealerships removed their cars from their showrooms before the violence erupted. Some residents said privately they had been prepared for trouble on the 1998 anniversary.

The riot police rushed to the area, the SCTV television reported. Three policemen were injured and taken away in a police ambulance, it said. The rioters also smashed a large plate glass window at a McDonald’s restaurant before being beaten back by the police.

S. Leone forces repel attacks

FREETOWN, May 13 (AFP) — Pro-government forces in Sierra Leone repelled two rebel attacks on Port Loko, 40 km northeast of Freetown, late yesterday and are advancing east, today’s official briefing broadcast on the national radio said.

“Armed rebels attacked Port Loko twice last night at 5 p.m. And at 10 p.m. The attacks were repelled by loyal government troops,” according to the daily “Security Update.”

“The area is still firmly under government control,” the communiqué said. The update gave no casualty figures and said that government forces had advanced beyond Waterloo as far as Mile 38.

“The government forces have advanced from the Waterloo area as far as Mile 38. Mile 38 is now firmly under the government,” the statement said.

No indication was given as to whether this advance involved fighting.