Today's Story Line:

Who will steer Indonesia through its troubled waters and into an full-fledged democracy? At least three candidates are vying for the helm. But some Indonesians are threatening "revolution" if the "wrong" choice is made by parliament tomorrow

A California woman charged with marijuana dealing for medicinal purposes is seeking political asylum in Canada. A smoke screen or a novel and legitimate refuge?

The announcement of 21,000 layoffs at Nissan Motor Company is a watershed event for Japan's disappearing lifetime employment practices Quote of note: "It could pave the way for other companies here and foreshadow more aggressive restructuring." - Andrew Shipley, Tokyo-based economist.

Where do China's leaders send their children to school?More than half come to the US to shop, dance, work, and, oh yes, get a diploma (page 1).

Russian generals are now debating whether to launch an assault on Grozny, the provincial capital, in a bid to crush Chechen rebels.

- David Clark Scott, World editor

REPORTERS ON THE JOB *CHARTING PEACE: Peace between Syria and Israel can't be too far away, says Mideast correspondent Scott Peterson, if the number of Golan Heights maps pulled out during interviews in Damascus is any indicator. On no previous visit have sources been so insistent on drawing lines: One ambassador sent a secretary to track down a series of maps and a canned history, to untangle the mishmash of boundary lines from 1923, 1949, 1967, and 1974. A Syrian journalist provided a definitive article in English and another collection of maps. The Ministry of Information came up with a big 3-D wall map in which the entire occupied Golan is colored bright red. "Everyone knows where they are and want to be. They are adhering to the maps and the moment in history that gives them an advantage," says Scott. "To make peace, both sides may have to agree to a new boundary line."

FOLLOW-UP ON A MONITOR STORY *HE'S NOT CHARLIZE, BUT ... On Oct. 13 the Monitor reported on an anti-rape ad campaign featuring South African actress Charlize Theron. The ads were banned as being offensive to men. The ad sponsors were concerned that the controversy might scare off soccer star Doctor Khumalo. But Khumalo is more committed than ever to appear in new anti-rape ads, he told the Sunday Times in Johannesburg. "Rape is not taken seriously enough. New cases are reported every day and it's getting out of hand," the athlete said. .

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