Asia Pacific

The South Pacific has been an unusual player in the campaign for Australia's national election next Saturday.

Two days before chairing crucial aid talks in Jakarta, the World Bank has expressed concern at the Indonesian government's failure to make progress in economic reform.

As the United States military increases the number of its special forces troops on the ground in Afghanistan, its also escalated its bombing attacks on Taliban front lines.

The United States is disputing suggestions it's failed to make inroads against the Taliban.

AUSTRALIA: Former Indonesian FM wants halt to Afghan bombings; AFGHANISTAN: Heroin cultivation increases as law and order decreases; PHILIPPINES: Anti-graft court dismisses perjury charge against Estrada; TIMOR: Economic future a key concern; CAMBODIA: Call for international monitors of local elections.

Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas has backed President Megawati's for the United States to halt its bombing campaign in Afghanistan, warning that the bombing campaign risks fracturing the global coalition against terrorism.

Muslim academics in Australia have questioned the authority of the Taliban to issue a jihad decree against Australia for its support of the US-led anti-terrorism attacks.

If Australia's relationship with Indonesia is shaky at the political level, not so it seems when it comes to business.

Campaigning for the Dec 5th general elections are underway in Sri Lanka.

Cambodia's opposition party has warned international donors that millions of dollars of aid could be wasted if there are not enough foreign monitors at local elections in February.

Australia Liberal Party spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer says he wants closer cooperation with Indonesia on immigration, law enforcement, extradition and defence.

Australian political leaders have downplayed the threat of a Jihad against its population if its soldiers enter Afghanistan.

Ali Alatas -- Indonesia's long-time, former foreign minister, has weighed in on the sensitive state of Australia's relations with his country.

While the US is under fire over civilian casualties in Afghanistan, human rights groups are stepping up the pressure over its relations with Uzbekistan.

Australia's ruling Liberal National Party coalition says it will push for two new regional dialogues with neighbouring states, if it is re-elected next week.

Indonesia's President Megawati Sukarnoputri has called for a halt to the US led military campaign in Afghanistan during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

In Malaysia the chief of the Human Rights Commission says democracy and human rights will have to take a back seat in the fight against terrorism.

The New York human rights group Human Rights Watch has hit out at the US lead bombing campaign of Afghanistan accusing the Pentagon of not doing enough to prevent the rising number of civilian casualties.

The United Nations Security Coucil has endorsed May the 20th next year as the date for East Timor's independence.